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Ram electrical recalls: fire risk relays and blank instrument panels
⚠ 2 carry a park-outside (fire risk) advisory.
Two problems dominate Ram's electrical recalls. First, fire: the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay on Cummins 6.7L diesel 2021-2023 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500 and 5500 trucks was recalled three separate times, in March 2021, again in October 2021, and once more in 2023, because an electrical short can start a fire with the ignition on or off. A 2019 Ram 1500 with the 48-volt auxiliary battery behind the rear seat had a similar overheating terminal. Second, instrument clusters: 2019 Ram 1500 warning lights, and 2025-2026 Ram 1500 through 5500 pickups and cab chassis, where software errors blank the display or show a false brake warning. Cruise control and powertrain module stalling recalls swept 2014-2019 trucks alongside other FCA models.
Warning signs to watch for
- Burning smell, smoke or heat from under the hood or from behind the rear seat
- Instrument panel display goes blank, taking the gear indicator and all warning lights with it
- Warning lights that never illuminate, or a brake system warning light that appears wrong
- Cruise control that will not shut off when you cancel it
- Engine stalls without warning, or an electric ProMaster suddenly loses drive power
Is it safe to keep driving?
No Ram electrical recall tells owners to stop driving. The 2021 and 2023 heater grid relay recalls on Cummins 6.7L diesel 2500 through 5500 trucks do say to park outside, away from buildings and other vehicles, because a fire can start with the truck shut off; the 2019 Ram 1500 auxiliary battery notice advises parking away from your home or garage. With the 2018 cruise control recall, drive normally but do not use cruise control until the flash is done. The cluster, ProMaster taillight and electric ProMaster recalls allow driving while you schedule the repair.
What the free repair involves
Depending on the recall, dealers inspect and replace the heater grid relay, secure the auxiliary battery fasteners, replace the instrument panel cluster or update its software, flash the engine or powertrain control module, replace the powertrain control module, repair the ProMaster wiring harness, or update the electric ProMaster's drive and battery software. None are over-the-air; all work is done at the dealer, free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 4 |
| high | 4 |
| medium | 4 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-09 | Ram trucks: instrument panel display can suddenly go blank | high |
| 2025-12-01 | Ram pickup and chassis cab dashboard display can go blank | medium |
| 2025-10-06 | Electric Ram ProMaster vans can lose drive power | high |
| 2025-08-18 | Ram truck dashboard shows wrong brake warning light | medium |
| 2024-03-14 | Ram ProMaster left taillight and turn signal quit | medium |
| 2023-02-09 | Ram Heavy Duty Diesel Trucks Engine Fire Risk · park outside | critical |
| 2021-10-14 | Ram Diesel Trucks Heater Relay Can Cause Fire · park outside | critical |
| 2021-03-11 | Ram diesel trucks: heater grid relay can catch fire | critical |
| 2019-07-26 | Ram 1500 warning lights may not illuminate | medium |
| 2019-02-28 | Ram 1500 auxiliary battery connection can overheat, risking fire | critical |
| 2018-08-09 | Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler engine computer may cause stalling | high |
| 2018-05-17 | Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram cruise control may stick on | high |
Common questions
My diesel Ram already had the relay fixed — why another recall letter?
The Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay was recalled three times. The October 2021 campaign applied insulating material after inspection where the earlier recall 21V-163 was open; the 2023 campaign replaces the relay outright, phased in starting with 2023 model year trucks.
Is a blank instrument panel really a safety defect?
Yes. Losing the display means losing the gear indicator and every warning light at once, and the vehicles fail Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 101. Dealers update the panel software or replace the cluster free; a separate 2025 recall covers an incorrect brake warning light.
Does my gas-engine Ram need the heater grid relay repair?
No. Those recalls cover only trucks built with the Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel — 2021-2023 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups plus 3500, 4500 and 5500 cab chassis. Other Ram electrical recalls, such as the cluster and cruise control campaigns, do include gas models.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.