Ram 1500 Engine Receives 22 Software Reflashes, No Recalls
Stellantis issued six software recalls for the 2025 Ram 1500 but addressed 22 engine control updates via service bulletins without federal mandates.
Key points
- Six of eight recalls for the 2025 Ram 1500 address software defects in non-engine components like cameras and clusters.
- The Hurricane engine has received 22 Powertrain Control Module reflash updates via service bulletins since late 2024.
- NHTSA data shows 337 owner complaints for the 2025 model, with 108 specifically involving engine or powertrain failures.
Stellantis has issued six separate recalls for the 2025 Ram 1500, all stemming from software defects in components like the instrument cluster and stability control. In contrast, the vehicle's Hurricane engine has undergone 22 software reflash updates through technical service bulletins, yet has not triggered a single federal recall.
According to regulatory data cited by Yahoo Autos, the 2025 model year has generated 337 owner complaints, significantly higher than the 70 reported for the 2024 version. While six of the eight total recalls address non-engine electronics, the engine control module has been reprogrammed repeatedly since late 2024 to address persistent misfire and stalling issues.
Complaint Volume Surges Fivefold
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records show 108 of the 337 complaints for the 2025 Ram 1500 involve the engine, powertrain, or fuel system. This represents a sharp increase in reported mechanical failures compared to the previous model year, where total complaints were lower and specific engine-related reports were fewer.
Specific failure patterns include 51 reports of stalling and 19 instances of misfire or rough running on the 2025 truck. These figures contrast with 16 stalling reports and only one misfire report on the 2024 model, indicating a distinct escalation in powertrain reliability concerns for the newer vehicle.
Service Bulletins Address Misfires
Stellantis issued Technical Service Bulletin 18-072-26 in July 2026, specifically targeting the GMET6 Hurricane engine to resolve P0300 through P0306 misfire codes. A subsequent bulletin in August 2026 mandated reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module with the latest available software to correct rough running symptoms.
The frequency of these updates is notable, with PCM flashes occurring in September, October, and November 2024, followed by further revisions in 2025 and 2026. This cadence of 22 reflash events suggests ongoing calibration challenges that have not yet resulted in a formal NHTSA defect investigation or recall action.
Low-Mileage Failures Reported
Owner submissions highlight issues occurring at very low mileage, including a vehicle with 280 miles that experienced flashing check engine lights and stalling. Another report describes a truck with only 25 miles at purchase that began shaking violently during the drive home, indicating immediate operational instability.
One severe incident involved a vehicle where all warning lights illuminated and power steering and brakes failed while coasting at highway speed. While these complaints are unverified by the manufacturer, they form a pattern that has prompted repeated software corrections without a corresponding increase in official recall actions for the drivetrain.
