Quick Facts:
- Topic: Ram 2500 recall for a steering column module defect.
- Trucks: Certain 2026 Ram 2500 pickups, 8,329 potentially affected.
- Campaign: NHTSA 26V651; FCA recall number 90D.
- Risk: A loss of electronic stability control raises the risk of a crash.
- Fix: Dealers replace the module free of charge.
- VIN lookup: Live on NHTSA.gov since October 13, 2026.
- Owner letters: Expected November 24, 2026.
- Earlier campaign: This recall expands NHTSA 26V244, which listed 6,605 trucks.
 5 min read
In This Article
Ram 2500 Recall Overview
This Ram 2500 recall covers certain 2026 pickups, 8,329 total. NHTSA ties the trucks to steering column control modules linked to a loss of electronic stability control. As a result, the trucks fail Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 126, the rule for stability control systems.
NHTSA lists the campaign as 26V651, and FCA US calls it 90D. Dealers will replace the steering column control module free of charge. Affected VINs have been searchable on NHTSA.gov since October 13, 2026.
However, NHTSA’s summary leaves out details owners want. It names no trims, engines, or build dates. Therefore, treat every 2026 Ram 2500 as a candidate until the VIN lookup says otherwise.
While you wait on a repair slot, a few basics belong in the cab of any pickup. Three suit a heavy-duty truck: a digital tire pressure gauge, a reflective warning triangle kit, and a compact 12V tire inflator rated for tires up to 35 inches. None of them relates to the recall defect. They are ordinary roadside gear, so buy only what you lack.
Basics to keep in the cab
WORKKOOL 3 Pack Foldable Warning Reflective Triangles with Carrying…
Ram 2500 Recall Key Facts
NHTSA published these figures for the campaign, including the dates owners need.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| NHTSA campaign | 26V651 |
| FCA recall number | 90D |
| Trucks | Certain 2026 Ram 2500 pickups |
| Potential units affected | 8,329 |
| Component | ESC control module |
| Defect | Steering module linked to a loss of stability control |
| Remedy | Dealer replaces the module free of charge |
| NHTSA report received | October 6, 2026 |
| VINs searchable | October 13, 2026 |
| Owner letters | Expected November 24, 2026 |
| FCA customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| Earlier campaign | 26V244 (6,605 trucks, FCA number 36D) |
Notably, NHTSA’s record carries no park-it or park-outside flag. It also lists no over-the-air update, so the repair needs a dealer visit. Given what stability control does, book the visit early.
What Losing Electronic Stability Control Means on the Road
Stability control brakes individual wheels when the truck starts to slide. Without it, a sudden swerve on a slick corner leaves the driver to handle the slide alone. NHTSA states the consequence plainly, since a loss of stability control increases the risk of a crash.
A 2500 is also a heavy-duty pickup built to tow. Specifically, Ram’s 2026 press kit lists up to 17,740 pounds of towing with the 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 and up to 20,000 pounds with the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel (see the Ram heavy-duty press kit). A heavy trailer therefore adds risk when the stability system fails.
The summary NHTSA published does not mention crashes, injuries, or how the module fails. Therefore, rely on the NHTSA lookup, not on guesses about symptoms.
Earlier Campaign 26V244 and the Letter Timing Gap
NHTSA says this campaign expands recall 26V244, which covered certain 2026 Ram 2500 pickups for the same defect. The earlier campaign listed 6,605 trucks and carries FCA number 36D. NHTSA received its report on April 16, 2026, and owner letters followed three weeks later.
The timing gap stands out. Compared with the first campaign, which put letters in the mail 21 days after NHTSA received the report, this one is slower. FCA expects letters on November 24, 49 days after the October 6 report. As a result, owners face a 42-day window between VINs going public and the first mailing. For wider context, see our analysis of Ford recall delays.
NHTSA does not say how the two counts overlap, so do not add 6,605 and 8,329 together. Instead, run your VIN. A truck repaired under the first campaign still deserves a fresh check, because the lookup shows open recalls for your exact truck.
How to Check Your VIN and Book the Repair
My advice is to skip the wait for the letter. Follow these steps today.
- Find the 17-character VIN at the lower left of the windshield or on your registration card.
- Enter it at the NHTSA recall lookup.
- If 26V651 or FCA recall 90D shows as open, call a Ram dealer and book the steering column control module replacement.
- Call FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403 if scheduling stalls, and quote recall number 90D.
Keep the repair order after the work is done. It documents the repair if you sell the truck. In addition, run the lookup for other open campaigns, since Stellantis has filed more recalls this year, such as the backup camera recall and the Ram 1500 seat belt anchor recall.
What This Means for You
If you own a 2026 Ram 2500, you do not need to wait for the mail. The NHTSA lookup has worked since October 13, and the repair costs nothing. NHTSA’s record carries no park-it order, so driving is your call. I would hold off on heavy towing until the VIN check or repair is done.
If you shop for a new or lightly used 2026 Ram 2500, run the VIN before you sign. Ask the dealer to show the lookup result in writing, and ask for the 90D repair before delivery. A truck with the repair completed leaves you nothing to fix.
Next, note the record names no trims or engines. Ram’s 2026 heavy-duty lineup lists nine trims, from Tradesman to Limited Longhorn. Each needs the same check. NHTSA lists only 2026 trucks, so the 2027 Ram Power Wagon is outside this campaign.
A dash warning light is not a substitute for the recall check. Likewise, a consumer scan tool does not replace the repair or confirm whether your VIN is in the campaign.
If you still want a scan tool for general upkeep, look for a model whose listing names ABS code reading and coverage for 1996 and newer OBD-II vehicles. These three do, though ABS support varies by make and year, so check each listing for your truck. A scan tool reads stored codes. It does not confirm whether your VIN is in the campaign, and it does not fix the recall defect.
OBD-II scan tools with ABS code reading
FOXWELL NT614 Elite OBD2 Scanner 4 System Code Reader Scan Engine A…
Final Thoughts
Recalls like this one feel routine until the part in question is the system keeping a heavy truck pointed straight. The fix is simple: a free module swap at a Ram dealer, a VIN check any owner runs on a phone, and no park-it order from NHTSA.
My take is plain: check your VIN today and book the repair, even if the truck feels fine. The slower letter schedule is the part I would watch. Forty-two days between VINs going public and the first mailing is a long time for owners to wait for a letter, so tell any friend who drives a 2026 2500.
If your VIN comes back clean, you are done. Otherwise, call the dealer and keep the repair order. Check back with us as NHTSA adds details. The repair costs nothing, so book it.
FAQ
Which trucks does the Ram 2500 recall cover?
Certain 2026 Ram 2500 pickups, with 8,329 potentially affected under NHTSA campaign 26V651 and FCA recall 90D. NHTSA’s summary lists no trims, engines, or build dates, so check your VIN.
Is the Ram 2500 recall repair free?
Yes. Dealers will replace the steering column control module free of charge, according to NHTSA.
Should I stop driving my Ram 2500 until it is fixed?
NHTSA’s record carries no park-it or park-outside instruction. However, a loss of stability control raises the risk of a crash, so book the repair early and call the dealer if a stability warning light appears.
Does the recall involve the 6.7-liter Cummins engine?
The recall component is the ESC control module, not the engine. NHTSA’s record names no engine, and Ram sells the 2026 2500 with a 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 or a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel, so check the VIN either way.
How is recall 26V651 different from 26V244?
NHTSA says 26V651 expands 26V244. Both cover certain 2026 Ram 2500 trucks for the same stability control defect, and the earlier campaign listed 6,605 trucks while this one lists 8,329.