Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) has announced a new safety recall affecting a small batch of 2021 and 2022 Ram pickup and chassis cab trucks. In total, approximately 532 units across multiple Ram truck lines — including Ram 1500 Classic, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 — are included in the campaign. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a component inside the steering column may fail and prevent the driver’s airbag from deploying during certain crash events.
While this recall affects a relatively small number of vehicles, the potential risk is significant. Any airbag that fails to deploy when needed increases the risk of serious injury in a collision. Because of that, these vehicles are considered non-compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, which covers the performance requirements for occupant crash protection systems.
What’s The Issue? –
At the center of the recall is the Steering Column Control Module (SCCM). This electronic component manages several key functions around the steering wheel, including the connection to the airbag system.
During supplier production of the SCCM, an insufficient weld may have occurred between an internal flexible flat cable (FFC) and its busbar, a small metal conductor. Over time, vibrations or steering wheel movement could cause that weak connection to separate.
Once that break happens, the electrical signal from the Occupant Restraint Controller may not reach the driver’s airbag module, leaving the airbag unable to deploy. The only early clue that the system has failed is if the airbag warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster.
Until that separation occurs, most drivers would not know there is a safety risk.
Which Trucks Are Affected? –
NHTSA documents list seven specific populations of vehicles, each defined by production ranges and truck configuration:
| Model | Model Years | Type | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 Classic (DS) | 2021–2022 | Pickup | 71 |
| Ram 2500 (DJ) | 2021–2022 | Pickup | 199 |
| Ram 3500 (D2) | 2021–2022 | Pickup | 40 |
| Ram 3500 Cab Chassis (DD/DF) | 2021–2022 | GVWR < 10K + Commercial | 6 + 38 |
| Ram 4500 Cab Chassis (DP) | 2021–2022 | Commercial | 62 |
| Ram 5500 Cab Chassis (DP) | 2021–2022 | Commercial | 116 |
Production dates for the affected vehicles range from November 2020 through December 2022, depending on the model line. Stellantis and its suppliers used manufacturing records and warranty reporting to narrow down the population. Similar vehicles outside the recall window have already been in service long enough without field failures to be considered unaffected.
Recall Chronology –
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July 2, 2024 — FCA US LLC (“FCA US”) Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (“TSRC”) opened an investigation into some 2022 MY Ram 1500 Classic, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles with a Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) that may have been produced with an insufficient weld between an internal flexible flat cable (FFC) and busbar.
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July 2024 through November 2024 — FCA US TSRC reviewed customer records and met with FCA US Engineering and Supplier Quality to review the issue and the failure mode.
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December 2024 — FCA US TSRC identified similar complaints in 2021 MY Ram 1500 Classic, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles based on supplier and warranty records.
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January 2025 through April 2025 — FCA US gathered additional field-return samples and provided them to the supplier to inspect, test, and evaluate the integrity of the SCCM internal wiring.
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May 2025 through September 2025 — FCA US worked with FCA Supplier Quality, FCA Engineering, and the supplier to review the results of the field sample evaluations.
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October 8, 2025 — FCA US TSRC recognized that a vehicle build issue existed which could lead to a broken internal connection in the airbag circuit on certain vehicles and may result in noncompliance with FMVSS No. 208.
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October 30, 2025 — FCA US determined, through the Vehicle Regulations Committee, that noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 exists in certain vehicles.
Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is 14C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.
Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-888-275-9171), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
