Recall 26V421 affects 12,592 2026 Ram 1500 trucks for headlight wiring tied to flickering or failed parking lights and DRLs. Repair is free once available.
Ram is recalling 12,592 2026 1500 trucks because headlight wiring can make the parking lights and daytime running lights flicker or fail. Poor light output reduces visibility to other drivers and increases crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Ram makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The headlamp assembly on the 2026 Ram 1500 holds the lamps and wiring that make the front lights work. On these trucks, the concern is with premium headlamp assemblies. The parking lights identify the truck in low light, and the daytime running lights help make it visible during the day.
Inside the affected headlamp, the wiring terminals are not fully connected. A terminal is the metal contact that carries power through the lamp circuit. When that connection is loose or incomplete, power to the parking lights and daytime running lights gets interrupted. The lights can flicker on and off or stop working, which is why the recall cites FMVSS 108 for lamps and reflective equipment.
There is no warning sign before failure. Some owners notice degraded lamp function or a message in the instrument cluster once the problem shows up.
Who's affected?
VINs became searchable on July 9, 2026.
| 2026 Ram 1500 | Headlights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 12,592 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the parking lights or daytime running lights fail, other drivers are less able to see the truck, which increases crash risk. There is no warning before failure, though degraded lamp function or a cluster message means the lights need attention. Repair will be free at any franchised Ram dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2026 Ram 1500 is included in this recall.
- Wait for Ram's final remedy letter before scheduling service; the interim letter covers the safety risk.
- Contact a franchised Ram dealer when the final repair opens to schedule the free headlight inspection and replacement that fixes the flickering or failed parking lights and daytime running lights.
- Reference recall number 26V421 and Ram recall 62D when you call Ram customer service or the dealer.
- Drive with extra space and avoid low-visibility trips until the lights are fixed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ram technician will inspect the headlight assemblies and replace them as needed. The final dealer repair will be free once available. For now, Ram has sent interim notice of the safety risk and will send another letter when the final remedy opens. If you already paid for a related headlight assembly repair, Ram uses its general reimbursement plan on file. Keep your repair order and payment records so the service desk or customer service can review the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 1, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 9, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| July 9, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 9, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 30, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V421?
Recall 26V421 covers 12,592 2026 Ram 1500 trucks with headlight wiring that can make the parking lights and daytime running lights flicker or fail. That reduces visibility to other drivers and increases crash risk. Ram dealers will inspect and replace the headlight assemblies for free.
What should I do if my 2026 Ram 1500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 26V421. If it is, contact a franchised Ram dealer and ask for the headlight assembly inspection. The dealer will replace the headlight assemblies for free when required.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost to the owner. For recall 26V421, a franchised Ram dealer will inspect the headlight assemblies and replace them for free when the inspection shows replacement is required.
Is it safe to drive my Ram 1500 before the repair?
Use extra care until the recall is repaired. The defect affects parking lights and daytime running lights, which help other drivers see your truck. If the lights flicker or fail, schedule service with a Ram dealer and ask whether the truck needs immediate attention.
When will Ram notify owners about recall 26V421?
Ram expects to mail interim owner letters on July 30, 2026. Those letters notify owners of the safety risk. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. You can also contact Ram customer service at 800-853-1403 and reference recall 26V421.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V421000 |
|---|---|
| Ram customer service | 800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V421 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V421000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Remedy Instructions (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on July 14, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →