URGENT SAFETY ALERT: Recall Issued for Inoperative Trailer Lighting and Brake Failure

A critical safety defect affecting the towing capabilities of nearly half a million Heavy Duty trucks and SUVs has prompted urgent warnings for owners to verify their vehicle’s recall status(NHTSA Safety Issue ID: 26V059000). The defect, involving inoperative trailer lighting and potential trailer brake failure, poses a significant risk to road safety for towing operators and surrounding traffic.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an improperly designed Trailer Tow Module or software error in the Body Control Module (BCM) can cause the trailer brakes and exterior lighting to fail without warning.

The Safety Risk

When this failure occurs, the driver may not receive a warning on the dashboard that the trailer brakes are no longer engaging. Furthermore, the loss of trailer turn signals and brake lights means following drivers are unaware of the truck’s intentions to stop or turn.

• Reduced Braking Power: The towing vehicle is forced to rely solely on its own brakes to stop heavy loads, significantly increasing stopping distances.
• Collision Hazard: Inoperative lighting increases the risk of rear-end collisions, particularly in low-visibility conditions.

How to Verify Your Vehicle Status

Owners of the listed Ram and Jeep models—particularly those utilizing the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine for heavy towing—are advised to take the following steps immediately:

The Remedy

If a vehicle is affected, the manufacturer will repair the defect free of charge. This typically involves updating the software in the Body Control Module or replacing the brake control hardware. Owners are strongly encouraged not to tow heavy loads until the recall service has been performed by an authorized dealer.