Losing your speedometer while merging onto the interstate isn’t just inconvenient—it’s dangerous. Stellantis just recalled 72,509 Ram trucks because their 12-inch instrument panel displays can go completely blank while driving, depriving drivers of essential safety information like gear selection, warning lights, and speed readings.
Software Glitch Affects Latest Models
The defect hits 2025-2026 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks built between October 2023 and November 2025.
The culprit is faulty software in instrument panel clusters supplied by Marelli North America. When the display dies, drivers lose access to transmission controls and brake system indicators—violations of federal motor vehicle safety standards that “increase the risk of a crash,” according to NHTSA campaign 25V826000.
A malfunction indicator light may illuminate before the screen goes dark, but that’s your only warning. The investigation began September 10, 2025, when FCA’s Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance group identified display failures specifically in Ram 1500 models.
Part of Broader Software Problems
Recent recalls include camera failures affecting 272,911 vehicles and headlight glitches in 53 newer trucks.
Ram’s transition to advanced digital architecture has been particularly challenging for 2025-2026 models. The November 2025 recall announcement follows camera software failures affecting 272,911 Ram trucks from 2022-2024, with owner notifications sent in November 2023.
Additionally, 53 Ram 1500s built between September and October 2024 were recalled for headlight software glitches, with notifications scheduled for January 2025. Some 2025 Ram 1500 owners have also reported parasitic battery drain from software bugs affecting the Body Control Module and RF Hub—the automotive equivalent of your phone dying overnight from a rogue app.
Free Fix Coming in January
Dealers will update software or replace the entire instrument cluster at no cost to owners.
Stellantis will mail recall notices around January 8, 2026, with instructions for scheduling the repair. The fix involves either a software update or complete cluster replacement, depending on the specific failure. No crashes or injuries have been reported yet, but don’t wait for your dashboard to go dark.
Check if your truck is affected by entering your VIN at NHTSA.gov or calling Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. When modern trucks rely on screens instead of analog gauges, a software bug becomes a safety hazard that demands immediate attention. This pattern of software-related recalls raises broader questions about automotive software reliability as manufacturers transition to increasingly digital vehicle architectures.
