Dodge Durango SUV, Ram Trucks Recalled for Faulty Warning Light
The vehicles will need a trip to the dealership for a free software update
By Keith Barry
Dodge and Ram are recalling more than 370,000 vehicles because their electronic stability control (ESC) warning lights may not illuminate even if the ESC system is malfunctioning.
Included in the recall are all 2021-2022 Dodge Durango SUVs, 2019-2022 Ram 2500 pickups, and 2019-2022 Ram 3500 cab chassis trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) below 10,000 lbs.
The vehicles are being recalled because they are not in compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards, which require ESC-equipped vehicles to have a working warning light that indicates when the system is not working. The issue is due to a software problem within the vehicles’ anti-lock braking system (ABS) modules, and will require dealers to perform a software update.
ESC is a technology that prevents vehicles from sliding sideways in a turn by selectively and automatically applying the brakes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that the feature can prevent most rollover crashes, saving lives and preventing injuries as a result. However, if a driver is unaware that their vehicle’s ESC is malfunctioning, it could potentially lead to a crash.
A 2021 Dodge Durango
Photo: Stellantis
The Details
Vehicles recalled:
• Ram 2500 pickups built between Oct. 11, 2018 and March 5, 2022
• Dodge Durango SUVs built between July 13, 2020 and March 4, 2022
• Ram 3500 cab chassis trucks with a GVWR below 10,000 pounds built between Nov. 29, 2018 and March 2, 2022
The problem: Because of a software issue within the vehicles’ ABS control modules, their ESC warning lamps may not illuminate even if the ESC system is malfunctioning.
The fix: Dealerships will update the ABS module software, free of charge.
How to contact the manufacturer: Stellantis, the parent company of Dodge and Ram, will contact owners of affected trucks and SUVs by mail starting April 29, 2022. Owners may also contact Stellantis at 800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign number: 22V140. Stellantis’ own number for this recall is Z20.
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.
If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have any open recalls. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly to see whether your vehicle has had a recall issued.
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