The Digital Display Problem
Cars are becoming increasingly high-tech, but numerous screens have their drawbacks. This becomes evident with a new recall from Ram, affecting 72,509 vehicles due to a display issue.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that pickups may have a software error causing the instrument panel to remain blank. This means the vehicles do not comply with a number of federal motor vehicle safety standards.
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The recall affects 2025-2026 model year Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 models. They are equipped with 12-inch displays that may “go blank during engine start-up or while driving.”
The recall report does not disclose details of the problem, but the company began investigating blank displays back in September. To fix the fault, dealership technicians will inspect and update the instrument panel software. If necessary, the entire instrument panel may be replaced.
Owner notifications are planned to be sent out early next month. It is estimated that only 1% of the recalled vehicles have this issue.
Airbag Hazard
The second recall is more serious, as it concerns side airbag inflators that may rupture and eject debris at passengers. The problem affects 1,879 vehicles, including 2019 Ram 1500 Classic and 3500 models, as well as 2019-2020 2500 models.
The inflators were manufactured by Joyson Safety Systems and have long been causing problems for Stellantis, leading to numerous recalls in recent years.
It all started in March 2024 when 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 models were recalled due to side airbag inflators that could rupture due to moisture ingress during production. This moisture can cause internal corrosion, which over time leads to cracks in the inflator.
Ram had already announced a similar recall for 2018 model year 1500, 2500, and 3500 models in September of this year. Later, the company began investigating whether some 2019 and 2020 models were built with inflators from the same problematic batch.
This investigation revealed a small number of potentially problematic vehicles, although it is believed that only 0.1% of the recalled pickups have defective inflators. That’s approximately two vehicles from the entire sample.
Although the number is small, the automaker is already aware of one incident related to this problem, recorded in a customer complaint. Owner notifications will be sent out by the end of this month, and dealers will replace one or both airbags as needed.
These two recalls clearly demonstrate how technological progress in cars is sometimes accompanied by new safety challenges. On one hand, complex digital systems can fail, depriving the driver of crucial information. On the other — even components proven over decades, such as airbags, can become a source of risk due to manufacturing defects from suppliers. For owners of the affected models, it is important to monitor official notifications and contact dealerships in a timely manner for free defect repairs, as both issues, especially the one related to airbags, directly impact the safety of everyone in the vehicle’s cabin.