Chrysler Recalls Over 30,000 Newer Model RAM Trucks Due To Electronic Stability Control Failure

RAM 1500 pickup trucks are being recalled after discovering wheel hub damage, which may interfere with the driver’s ability to control the vehicle.

Federal highway safety officials have announced a recall impacting 33,777 RAM 1500 pickup trucks, due to a defective wheel hub that may disable the electronic stability control system and increase the risk of an auto accident.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the RAM 1500 recall on October 24, warning that certain trucks from the 2025 model year may have been built with a damaged front wheel hub encoder ring. This may cause problems with the pickup truck’s electronic stability control system, interfering with the driver’s ability to control the vehicle.

The wheel hub encoder ring is important for maintaining wheel speed sensing systems, like anti-lock braking systems (ABS), traction control and stability control. The damaged wheel hub encoder ring may cause a loss of wheel speed signal and disable the electronic stability control (ESC) system, which helps stabilize the car during a momentary loss of control, such as skidding or other traction problems.

If the electronic stability control system fails suddenly, when intervention is expected or relied upon by the driver, it could cause the RAM 1500 trucks to crash, leading to injuries for the driver or passengers.

While the NHTSA report does not indicate any accidents or injuries have resulted from this defect, the recalled RAM trucks do not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 126, which mandate “Electronic Stability Control Systems” in the vehicles.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) first became aware of the issue on June 4, when the company’s Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) organization was notified that certain 2025 RAM 1500 trucks may have been built with a damaged front wheel bearing encoder ring.

From June to October 2024, analyses were conducted on field records and customer assistance records. FCA eventually recognized that an issue with the way the vehicles were constructed could in fact lead to a loss of wheel speed signal. On October 17, the company determined a safety defect existed and initiated a voluntary safety recall.

The recall specifically impacts 2025 RAM 1500 vehicles that were produced from October 13, 2023 through August 11, 2024.

Customers will begin receiving notification letters on December 19, with instructions on how to schedule a free repair at their local dealers. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front wheel bearing hub assembly.

Any vehicle owners who have already had this service performed at their own expense may be eligible for reimbursement, in accordance with the FCA US reimbursement plan.

FCA US’s number for this recall is 97B. Customers can contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or the company’s contact for this recall, Emily C. Smith, via email at emily.c.smith@dot.gov.

Owners with any additional questions can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.