Updated on July 29, 2026.
Ram and Jeep recall 26V059, also identified by FCA as recall 03D, covers 456,287 vehicles whose Trailer Tow Module can stop operating the trailer turn signals, brake lights, and electric brakes. The failure may happen without a dashboard warning. The official repair is a free replacement Trailer Tow Module, and the only reliable way to confirm whether a specific truck or SUV is included is to check its 17-digit VIN.
Key Takeaways
NHTSA campaign 26V059 is a hardware safety recall, not a normal trailer-wiring complaint or a routine software update.
- The affected groups are 2025-2026 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 vehicles; 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S vehicles; and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles.
- An affected module can disable trailer stop lamps, turn signals, and electric trailer brakes, and the driver may receive no warning.
- A successful pre-trip lamp test does not prove the module will keep working later in the tow.
- Do not tow when any required trailer light or brake function is inoperative. Check the VIN and schedule the free dealer repair under FCA recall 03D.
- This recall is not limited to Cummins-powered trucks; model, build configuration, and VIN determine eligibility.
Ram and Jeep Trailer Tow Module Recall at a Glance
The recall addresses an improperly designed Trailer Tow Module that lacks the electrical-overstress protection needed to keep its trailer outputs operating reliably.
| Item | Official recall detail | What it means in the driveway |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA campaign | 26V059 | Use this number when checking the federal recall record. |
| FCA campaign | 03D | Use this number when speaking with a Ram, Jeep, or Chrysler dealer. |
| Potential population | 456,287 vehicles | The model-year table is a screening tool; the VIN decides whether an individual vehicle is open. |
| Failed component | Trailer Tow Module | The fault can remove output to trailer lamps and electric brakes even when the trailer wiring itself is intact. |
| Driver warning | None may occur | Do not wait for a dash message before checking recall status. |
| Official remedy | Replace the Trailer Tow Module | The dealer performs the recall repair free of charge. |
The underlying defect and remedy are documented in the official NHTSA recall acknowledgment. FCA reported no related crashes or injuries when its defect report was filed, but loss of trailer lighting or braking creates an obvious crash risk, especially with a loaded equipment trailer or fifth-wheel.
Which Ram and Jeep Vehicles Are Included?
The recall population spans specific 2024-2026 Ram and Jeep model groups, but a matching badge and model year alone do not confirm that a vehicle is affected.
| Brand and model | Model years listed by NHTSA | Practical fitment note |
|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 | 2025-2026 | Check the VIN even if the truck has never pulled a trailer. |
| Ram 2500 | 2025-2026 | Gas and diesel powertrains may be involved; this is not a Cummins-only recall. |
| Ram 3500 pickup and cab chassis | 2025-2026 | Cab-and-chassis work bodies still require a VIN check. |
| Ram 4500 and 5500 | 2025-2026 | Jobsite and fleet use can multiply exposure because these trucks tow frequently. |
| Jeep Wagoneer S | 2024-2026 | Do not limit the check to 2024 vehicles. |
| Jeep Cherokee | 2026 | The listed year is 2026, not 2025. |
Production dates, option content, and module traceability narrow the final population. That is why two trucks with the same trim and model year can return different recall results.
How the Trailer Tow Module Can Fail
The module can suffer electrical overstress because the original hardware does not provide the necessary protection, causing a total loss of its trailer-lighting and trailer-brake outputs.
When that output is lost, a trailer turn signal may not flash, the trailer stop lamps may not illuminate when the service brake is applied, and equipped electric trailer brakes may not respond. This is different from brake fade, a worn trailer magnet, a weak breakaway battery, or a corroded 7-way connector. Those faults can produce similar symptoms, but they do not close an open safety recall.
From a shop standpoint, the dangerous detail is the lack of a dependable warning. A driver may see a normal instrument panel and still have no working lamps or brakes at the trailer. We treat the VIN check as part of the pre-tow inspection, right beside payload, tire pressure, coupler security, safety chains, and load distribution.
Symptoms a Driver May Notice
The most useful field signs are failed trailer stop lamps, a non-flashing trailer turn signal, or no trailer-brake response, but an affected vehicle can have no symptom before the module fails.
- One or both trailer turn signals do not flash while the truck's own lamps still operate.
- Trailer brake lights do not illuminate when the brake pedal is pressed.
- The integrated brake-controller manual command produces no expected trailer-brake response.
- The same known-good trailer works normally behind another tow vehicle.
- The fault appears intermittent after heat, vibration, moisture exposure, or a long day on rough jobsite roads.
Do not use an intermittent return to normal as proof that the rig is fixed. An open 03D campaign still requires the updated module.
Pre-Tow Safety Check Before Every Trip
A walkaround verifies the rig's condition at that moment, while the VIN lookup identifies whether the tow vehicle still carries the unresolved module risk.
- Park on level ground, chock as needed, and connect the trailer exactly as its manufacturer specifies.
- Have a helper verify left turn, right turn, hazard lamps, running lamps, and brake lamps at the rear of the trailer.
- Check the 7-way plug for bent pins, water, green corrosion, heat damage, and a loose socket fit.
- Inspect the trailer ground connection, visible harness sections, junction box, and breakaway-system condition.
- Confirm the brake controller recognizes the trailer, then follow the truck and trailer manuals for the approved brake-function test.
- Verify tire load ratings, cold pressures, lug torque, payload, tongue or pin weight, and the gross ratings before hauling.
- Run the VIN through the official recall lookup before departure, even when every lamp passes.
For the rest of the rig, use a consistent summer towing inspection routine, review how to match connection ratings before hauling, and keep a loaded-truck roadside tire procedure in mind before a long pull.
How to Check the VIN and Get the Free Repair
Enter the full 17-digit VIN in an official lookup, confirm whether campaign 03D is open, and schedule a dealer appointment for Trailer Tow Module replacement.
- Find the VIN at the lower driver-side windshield, driver-door certification label, registration, or insurance record.
- Search it through the NHTSA recall lookup or the official Mopar recall search.
- If 03D is open, call an authorized dealer and ask whether the updated module is available before bringing a working tow rig out of service.
- Keep the repair order showing the campaign number and completed module replacement.
- After repair, repeat the full trailer lamp and brake-function check before towing.
FCA customer care is listed at 1-800-853-1403. Recall repairs are free, and owners should not be sold a brake-controller replacement, BCM flash, trailer rewiring job, or aftermarket bypass as a substitute for campaign 03D.
Recall Failure vs. Common Trailer Wiring Problems
An open recall must be repaired even when the trailer also has a conventional wiring fault, so diagnose the physical circuit without using it to dismiss campaign 03D.
| Finding | More consistent with | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| All affected trailers lose stop, turn, and brake output behind one recalled vehicle | Trailer Tow Module or tow-vehicle output fault | Stop towing, check VIN, and have the dealer perform 03D if open. |
| Only one trailer has a dead lamp circuit | Trailer bulb, LED assembly, connector, ground, or harness | Load-test the circuit and repair the trailer, while still checking the tow-vehicle VIN. |
| Lights flicker when the plug is moved | Loose or corroded 7-way connection | Inspect terminals, pin tension, water intrusion, and strain relief. |
| Trailer lamps work, but braking is weak on every tow vehicle | Trailer brake adjustment, magnets, wiring, drums, or controller setup | Follow the trailer service procedure and verify loaded brake performance. |
| No warning appears on the truck display | Still compatible with recall failure | Do not clear the vehicle based on the absence of a message. |
Why the Risk Gets Worse in Real Towing Conditions
Loss of trailer lamps and brakes removes both communication and stopping force at the exact times a loaded rig has the least margin for error.
Highway and Night Towing
At highway speed, the driver behind you needs a clear brake-light warning before your truck begins shedding speed. At night or in rain, an unlit trailer also becomes hard to track during a lane change.
Grades, Payload, and Fifth-Wheels
A heavy fifth-wheel or equipment trailer pushes hard on the truck downhill. Losing electric trailer braking transfers more work to the tow vehicle's service brakes, increasing stopping distance and heat load.
Jobsite, Farm, and Off-Road Use
Vibration, dust, mud, and repeated plug cycles can create ordinary connector faults at the same time a recall is open. Check both systems; do not assume the rough-road symptom is only a dirty socket.
Extreme Heat and Cold
Heat, road salt, ice, and moisture punish every electrical connection in the tow stack. A clean 7-way connector is good maintenance, but it cannot add missing electrical-overstress protection inside the recalled module.
Supporting Hardware for Older Ram Work Trucks
No aftermarket towing or drivetrain part repairs recall 03D; the products below apply only to separately verified older-truck fitment after the official module repair question is handled.
For 2013-2024 Ram 2500/3500 tow rigs, a 2013-2024 Ram transmission thermal bypass valve addresses transmission-cooler flow, while an AS69RC aluminum transmission pan supports fluid service and heat management on matching Aisin applications. For verified 2019-2024 Ram axle fitment, the 2019-2024 Ram AAM 11.5/12 differential cover is a heavy-duty service option. Confirm axle, transmission, model year, and bolt pattern before ordering, or compare heavy-duty differential cover options by application.
Frequently Asked Questions
The short answers below separate the official recall remedy from ordinary trailer diagnosis and aftermarket towing equipment.
Q: Is every 2025 or 2026 Ram truck recalled?
A: No. Those model years identify the potential vehicle groups, but the 17-digit VIN determines whether a specific truck has an open 03D recall.
Q: Is recall 26V059 limited to Ram 2500 and 3500 Cummins trucks?
A: No. It includes listed Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 vehicles plus listed Jeep Wagoneer S and Cherokee vehicles. The Trailer Tow Module issue is not defined by diesel-engine fitment.
Q: If my trailer lights pass today, is the truck safe from this failure?
A: No. A passing check confirms current operation only. NHTSA states that the module may fail without warning, so an open VIN still needs the free replacement.
Q: Is the recall repair a BCM software flash?
A: No. The official remedy for campaign 03D is replacement of the Trailer Tow Module with the corrected unit.
Q: Can an aftermarket brake controller or wiring bypass fix the recall?
A: No. An aftermarket controller or bypass does not close the federal recall and should not be represented as equivalent to the updated module installed by an authorized dealer.
Q: What should I do if the trailer lights or brakes stop working during a trip?
A: Slow the combination smoothly, increase following distance, avoid abrupt inputs, and move to a safe location as soon as conditions allow. Do not continue towing with required lamps or brakes inoperative; arrange repair or recovery and check the VIN for 03D.
Q: Is the Trailer Tow Module replacement free?
A: Yes. Safety-recall repairs are performed free of charge. Confirm parts availability and appointment details with an authorized dealer.
About the Author
John Lee
Mechanical Engineer | 10+ Years Experience
John has spent the last decade engineering and testing high-performance automotive components. Specializing in drivetrain durability and thermal management across Powerstroke, Cummins, and Duramax applications, he bridges the gap between OEM limitations and aftermarket performance. His philosophy: "Factory parts are just a starting point."
