Stellantis Recalls 1.2 Million Ram 1500s for ESC System Fault

Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) is recalling 1,227,808 Ram 1500 (DT) pickups due to a software issue affecting the anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module, which may disable the electronic stability control (ESC) system. This issue causes the vehicles to fail to meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 126, “Electronic Stability Control Systems.”

The recall impacts Ram 1500 pickups from the 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 model years. Driving without a functional ESC system increases the risk of accidents.

The affected vehicles were produced between October 31, 2017, and February 14, 2024, when updated ABS module software was released. Vehicles manufactured outside this period are not affected.

Failure of the ESC system when intervention is expected and/or relied upon can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. However, warning lights for ABS, ESC, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) may illuminate at vehicle start-up, indicating that these systems are unavailable.

Recall Chronology – 

• February 15, 2024: FCA US LLC’s Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) organization was notified of a potential issue related to a software condition within the ABS software that could disable the ESC on some 2019 and 2021-2024 model year Ram 1500 vehicles.
• March 2024 – April 2024: FCA US TSRC conducted an analysis of ABS control module warranty data, field records, and customer assistance records to understand the potential consequences for customers.
• April 2024 – June 2024: FCA US TSRC met with FCA US engineering and manufacturing teams to review the issue, understand the failure mode, and determine the population of vehicles affected.
• June 18, 2024: The FCA US TSRC organization identified a vehicle build issue on certain vehicles that could disable the ESC system, potentially resulting in noncompliance with FMVSS No. 126 S5.1.2.
• August 30, 2024: FCA US determined, through the Vehicle Regulations Committee, to conduct a voluntary safety recall of the affected vehicles.

Dealers will update the ABS control module software free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by October 3, 2024. Affected owners can contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403, referencing recall number 85B.

Additionally, they may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.nhtsa.gov for more details.