My 2026 Ram 1500 has experienced multiple serious electrical system failures that affect vehicle safety and reliability. The truck has had repeated warning messages including “Illumination Unavailable — Service Required,” instrument cluster malfunctions, and unpredictable interior/exterior lighting behavior. In addition to these issues, the vehicle has experienced a no-start event, leaving it unable to power on, and the power tailgate has failed, refusing to open or close electronically. After diagnostics, the dealership determined that two electronic control modules had failed, one of which has no estimated replacement date from the manufacturer, and the other is on backorder for 7–10 days. These failures impact critical systems including vehicle startup, lighting, diagnostics, and rear cargo access. The truck is currently marked out of service because it cannot be safely or reliably operated until both modules are replaced and reprogrammed. These failures occurred during normal use and indicate a potential electrical defect that may affect additional vehicles of this model year. Dealer indicated that many 2026 Rams are experiencing the same issues.
NHTSA ODI 11700170