More than 265,000 Ram ProMaster vans face immediate recall after federal regulators discovered a critical steering defect that can cause drivers to lose power steering without warning, increasing crash risk for thousands of American work vehicles on the road today.
Water Damage Causes Sudden Steering Failure
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued the recall notice affecting 265,512 Ram ProMaster vans manufactured between 2022 and 2026. The defect allows water to infiltrate the electric power steering wiring harness, potentially damaging internal wiring and causing complete loss of power steering assistance. Drivers receive no warning before the system fails, forcing them to wrestle with manual steering control at highway speeds or in emergency situations.
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The recall breaks down to 44,391 Ram 1500 ProMasters, 147,204 Ram 2500 ProMasters, and 72,043 Ram 3500 ProMasters spanning model years 2022 through 2026. An additional 1,874 Ram 3500 EV ProMasters from 2024 to 2026 also face the same steering vulnerability, affecting both traditional and electric vehicle owners.
One Accident Already Reported
Stellantis, the multinational corporation manufacturing these vehicles, confirmed awareness of one non-injury accident directly linked to the steering defect. Company spokesperson Frank Matyok acknowledged the incident in a statement, though the automaker has not disclosed additional details about the crash circumstances or whether other unreported incidents may exist. The admission raises questions about how long Stellantis knew about the problem before issuing the recall.
Federal safety officials warned the damaged steering system significantly increases crash risk, particularly dangerous for commercial drivers who rely on ProMaster vans for daily deliveries, service calls, and business operations across American communities.
Free Repairs Coming But Delays Expected
Authorized dealers will inspect affected vehicles and replace both the wiring harness and electronic power steering gear at no cost to owners. However, owners face a waiting period before repairs begin. Stellantis plans to mail interim safety notification letters starting November 17, alerting owners to the risk. Additional correspondence will follow once final repair parts become available, leaving thousands of potentially dangerous vehicles on American roads during the interim period. Vehicle owners should contact their local Ram dealer immediately to verify recall status and schedule inspection once parts arrive.