NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2026 Ram 2500
Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.
The Ram 2500 is a heavy-duty pickup truck aimed at buyers who need serious towing and hauling capability beyond what a half-ton can offer. Competing in one of the most demanding segments on the market, it attracts contractors, fleet operators, and truck enthusiasts who prioritize work capacity. Understanding its safety record is essential before committing to a vehicle this size and cost.
The 2026 Ram 2500 earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 80 out of 100, an strong result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. It has 6 recalls on record, reflected in the score.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
Reviewers generally regard the Ram 2500 as one of the more refined and comfortable entries in the heavy-duty truck segment, praising its ride quality and interior execution relative to its class. Most acknowledge that it competes strongly on capability and driver experience, though professional assessments tend to note that heavy-duty trucks as a category involve tradeoffs in agility and crash-test performance compared to lighter vehicles.
NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 20947
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)26V288000
Risk: Loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 43D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.
Reported 2026-05-07
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE26V244000
Risk: A loss of electronic stability control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 7, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 36D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 23, 2026.
Reported 2026-04-16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL26V225000
Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as gear selection and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 35D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 16, 2026.
Reported 2026-04-09
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS26V059000
Risk: Trailer brake lights and turn signals that do not illuminate reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, trailer brakes that fail increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trailer tow module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 17, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 10, 2026.
Reported 2026-02-02
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL25V826000
Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or gear selection, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and update the instrument panel software or replace the instrument panel cluster, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are B4C and B8C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov be
Reported 2025-12-01
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL25V530000
Risk: An incorrect warning light can fail to alert the driver to critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 9, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 79C.
Reported 2025-08-18
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
0 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.