RAM 1500 ESC Malfunction

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) will be contacting the owners of certain 2019 and 2021-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles because of a software problem that could cause the electronic stability control (ESC) system to become disabled. This issue is in violation of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), which require the ESC system to function properly under all driving conditions.

The problem was first identified in February 2024 when the Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) team at FCA US became aware of a potential software issue affecting the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). The issue could cause the ESC system to be disabled in some 2019 and 2021-2024 Ram 1500 trucks. Following this, the TSRC team began a thorough investigation, analyzing warranty data, field reports, and customer complaints to assess the potential risks and impact on drivers.

The next step involved FCA US engineers and manufacturing teams working together to review the problem. They wanted to fully understand how and why the failure occurred and to identify which vehicles might be affected. After months of study, in August 2024, FCA US made the decision to initiate a voluntary safety recall for the impacted vehicles. This decision was made by the Vehicle Regulations Committee, which oversees safety-related matters for the company.

The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 571.126 S5.1.2, which regulates ESC functionality, clearly states that the ESC system must remain operational during all phases of driving, including acceleration, coasting, and braking. However, under specific conditions, the suspect Ram 1500 vehicles may experience a software glitch that disables the ESC, increasing the risk of a crash.

To fix the problem, FCA US will update the ABS control module software in the affected vehicles. Owners of these vehicles can expect to receive notification letters in the mail starting on October 3, 2024. The recall campaign has been assigned the number 85B by FCA US, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has designated it with campaign number 24V-653.

If you own a Ram 1500 from the specified model years, it’s important to stay aware of this recall and take action once you receive the notice. The software update should restore proper function to the ESC system, ensuring the vehicle meets all safety standards and operates as intended.