Navigating the 2026 Ram 1500 Trailer Brake Recall: An Interview with Our Service Director

With safety updates and technical campaigns frequently making headlines, truck owners deserve clear, straightforward answers about how to maintain their vehicles. Today, we sit down with Sean Wilson, the Service Director at NewGen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Clinton, who brings 2 years of dedicated dealership experience to help us break down the details of the latest trailer brake safety recall. In this interview, Sean explains which vehicles are affected, the safety implications of the defect, and how our certified team can get your truck safely back on the road.

Q: What do owners need to know about the 2026 Ram 1500 trailer brake recall?

A: Here at NewGen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Clinton, we want to make sure our truck community is fully informed about safety updates. To clarify a common misconception, while many call this a trailer brake controller recall, the issue actually stems from an improperly designed trailer tow module. Under NHTSA Recall Number 26V059000 (with manufacturer code 03D), this software or hardware defect can prevent trailer lights from illuminating and cause trailer brakes to fail completely. This poses a significant safety risk on the road, especially when hauling heavy loads.

If you drive a new Ram 1500, or even a larger model like the new Ram 2500, it is critical to verify if your vehicle is affected. This recall impacts several 2025 and 2026 models. When you learn about our dealership, you will see that our priority is keeping your vehicle safe and reliable. Our certified technicians are fully equipped to handle this repair by replacing the trailer tow module free of charge. We highly recommend that you schedule service as soon as possible if your truck is included. You can easily schedule your service today online to secure a time slot.

For those currently exploring our new Ram inventory, including highly capable setups like the new Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4x4 5'7 box or our rugged new Ram Heavy Duty inventory, rest assured that any vehicle on our lot undergoes a rigorous safety inspection before delivery. We also encourage you to check out the latest manufacturer programs and view Ram incentives to see what coverages and options are available for your peace of mind.

Q: Which 2026 Ram 1500 owners are affected by the trailer brake recall?

A: We recently looked at the build dates provided by the manufacturer, and the scope of this campaign is quite specific. The recall affects certain 2025 and 2026 model year trucks equipped with the optional or standard factory trailer tow module. It is not limited to a single trim level; it spans from the work-ready Tradesman up to the luxurious Laramie and flagship Tungsten trims. If your truck was ordered with a towing package that includes the integrated trailer brake controller, there is a strong possibility your vehicle is part of the recalled group.

For instance, we have many owners in Onsted who use their trucks to pull horse trailers or agricultural equipment near Wamplers Lake, and they want to know if their specific configuration is included. It is important to note that other vehicles under the Stellantis umbrella are also affected by this specific trailer tow module issue. This includes certain Jeep Wagoneer S models and the upcoming Jeep Cherokee.

While our service department focuses on keeping your trucks in peak operating condition, we also support owners looking at other vehicles in our lineup. If you are browsing our selection for a family member, you might want to look into our employee pricing promotions. We offer excellent service and maintenance support for all our brands, whether you are driving a truck or a versatile SUV like the new Jeep Compass or the spacious new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Q: Can I drive the truck safely before the repair, or is it okay to use without a trailer?

A: While a trailer brake defect sounds incredibly alarming, the actual safety risk depends entirely on how you are using your truck on any given day. If you are driving the truck empty without anything hitched to the receiver, the vehicle may be operated for normal non-towing use. The recall is isolated to the trailer tow module itself, meaning your truck's primary hydraulic braking system, which complies with FMVSS No. 105 standards, will function exactly as intended. You can commute, run errands, and drive highway miles without any compromise to your personal safety.

However, the situation changes the moment you hook up a trailer. Because the defect can cause the trailer's electronic brakes to fail and stop the trailer's brake lights and turn signals from working, we strongly advise against towing any trailer until the recall repair is completed. Towing a heavy load without functional trailer brakes is extremely hazardous and significantly increases your stopping distance, putting you and other drivers at risk.

"Towing a heavy load without functional trailer brakes is extremely hazardous and significantly increases your stopping distance, putting you and other drivers at risk."

If your truck is a dedicated work vehicle from our work truck inventory, we understand that parking it is not always an option. In these cases, we recommend visiting our Mopar Parts Center or using our online system to order genuine parts and modules ahead of your appointment. Getting the correct, updated OEM module swapped out quickly ensures your business does not experience costly downtime.

Q: Which engine is best for towing a trailer with brake control?

A: When owners ask our service team about maximizing their truck's towing longevity, the conversation always starts with matching the right powertrain to their hauling demands. For the 2026 model year, the return of the 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque offers a familiar, muscular option that can tow up to 12,750 pounds when properly configured with the Max Tow Package. However, from a pure performance and modern engineering standpoint, the twin-turbo 3.0L Hurricane I6 Standard Output engine is exceptionally well-suited for heavy towing. It delivers its peak torque much lower in the RPM band than a traditional naturally aspirated engine, meaning less strain on the transmission and smoother power delivery when pulling up steep inclines.

For drivers commuting from Michigan Center who regularly haul fishing boats or pontoon rigs to the local reservoir, having that low-end torque makes a massive difference in ramp launches and highway merging. If you need even more passing power, the 3.0L Hurricane I6 High Output version pushes output to 540 horsepower, though it does slightly reduce the maximum tow rating to 11,610 pounds due to cooling and suspension configurations. Whichever engine you choose, maintaining the cooling system and transmission fluids is key to long-term durability, especially under the protection of Ram's outstanding 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

We frequently share maintenance tips and towing best practices on our dealership blog to help our customers get the most out of their trucks. Before you bring your vehicle in for a pre-towing inspection, we also encourage you to check our current service specials for deals on fluid flushes, brake pad replacements, and multi-point inspections. If you are considering upgrading your truck to a more capable towing model, you can explore our new incentives inventory to see the latest manufacturer offers on properly equipped towing rigs.

Q: Which truck has a more comfortable ride, the Ram or the F-150?

A: If you compare the undercarriage of a Ram 1500 directly to a Ford F-150, you may notice differences in ride quality. While the Ford F-150 relies on traditional leaf springs for its rear axle, the Ram 1500 utilizes a segment-exclusive link-coil rear suspension. This design dramatically reduces the harsh, bouncy ride quality historically associated with unladen pickup trucks, allowing the vehicle to absorb road imperfections much like a premium utility vehicle. For those who want the absolute peak of ride comfort, the available four-corner air suspension can automatically lower the vehicle at highway speeds to reduce drag or raise it for off-road clearance.

From a service perspective, maintaining these advanced suspension systems is straightforward but requires specialized expertise. Keeping the air suspension sensors calibrated and ensuring the pneumatic lines are free of moisture is crucial, particularly during our freezing Michigan winters. If you prefer a more rugged setup, the off-road-focused Rebel trim utilizes specialized Bilstein front and rear shocks designed to handle harsh terrain without sacrificing highway composure.

For owners who want to customize their truck's ride height or suspension characteristics, we can help you submit custom factory orders directly to the manufacturer to get the exact mechanical setup you need. Our team also carries a full catalog of suspension upgrades and replacement components, and you can browse our parts specials to save on genuine Mopar upgrades. If your household requires a mix of truck capability and legendary off-road versatility, we also recommend checking out our new Jeep inventory, which features advanced 4x4 systems designed to handle any road conditions.

Q: How do I check if my 2026 Ram 1500 is affected by the trailer brake recall and does the repair cost anything?

A: Are you wondering how to verify if your specific truck is included in this safety campaign? The easiest and most reliable method is to locate your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number, which is visible on the driver-side dashboard near the windshield or on your vehicle registration card. You can enter this number directly into the official NHTSA recall lookup tool online. If your truck has an open recall, such as the trailer tow module replacement, it will display as unrepaired.

I always tell owners who call our service desk that making an appointment in advance is the best way to ensure we have the replacement module on the shelf and a certified technician ready to go. Under federal law, all safety recall inspections and repairs must be performed by an authorized dealership service center completely free of charge to the vehicle owner. You do not have to pay a single dime for the parts or the labor, regardless of whether your truck is still within its 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty window.

If you prefer to have a professional handle the lookup for you, feel free to give our service team a quick call, and we will gladly run your VIN through our database. If your vehicle requires the update, you can get directions to our service center and drop your truck off at our facility located at 1111 W Michigan Ave, Clinton, MI 49236. Additionally, if you are considering moving into a different vehicle altogether rather than completing the recall, our team can help you value your trade-in to see what your current truck is worth in today's market.

© 2026 NewGen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Clinton. All rights reserved.