Nearly half a million Ram and Jeep drivers are being told to park their trailers and boats for now, after a major safety recall targeting factory towing equipment. The warning affects some of the most popular trucks and SUVs on American roads and centers on a defect that can knock out trailer lights and even engine power while towing. For owners who rely on these vehicles for work, camping, or hauling toys on the weekend, the sudden stop to towing is more than an inconvenience, it is a serious safety and financial headache.
At the heart of the problem is a trailer tow module that regulators say was not designed correctly, creating a risk that every recalled vehicle could experience the same failure until it is repaired. Automakers file these campaigns routinely, but the scale of this one, and the fact that it strikes at the core purpose of Ram and Jeep tow packages, makes it stand out. I will walk through what is known so far, which models are affected, and what owners should do next while they wait for a fix.
What triggered the recall and how big it is
The recall traces back to a defect report Chrysler submitted to federal regulators, identified as Safety Recall 26V059, which was filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA. In that filing, Chrysler detailed problems with the factory trailer tow module supplied on several Ram and Jeep models, describing how the component can malfunction under load. The campaign covers seven different models across the Ram and Jeep lineups, a breadth that reflects how widely this module was used in recent years.
Across those seven models, the company is recalling exactly 456,287 trucks and SUVs equipped with the suspect hardware. Other reporting frames the scope as more than 450,000 vehicles, a reminder that this is not a niche problem affecting a handful of specialty trims. For a brand like Ram that markets its trucks on towing muscle, and Jeep that leans on adventure-ready capability, telling hundreds of thousands of loyal buyers to stop towing cuts directly against their core promise.
The defect: an improperly designed trailer tow module
At the center of the recall is what engineers describe as an improperly designed trailer tow module, the electronic brain that manages power to a trailer’s lights and, in some cases, its brakes. According to Chrysler, the flaw means the module can fail when a trailer is connected, which can suddenly cut power to the trailer lighting circuits and potentially affect the vehicle’s own systems. Regulators say that because the design itself is at fault, every vehicle that carries this module is exposed to the same risk until it is replaced or reprogrammed, a point underscored in detailed recall analyses of the dangerous towing risk.
From a safety perspective, the most immediate concern is the loss of trailer lights, which can leave a heavy load effectively invisible when braking or signaling at night or in bad weather. In some cases, the same fault can trigger protective responses in the vehicle, including reduced engine power or stalling while towing, which is especially hazardous on highways or steep grades. Analysts who have reviewed the defect information report that the situation highlights how a single electronic component can undermine the entire towing system, a theme repeated in technical breakdowns of how this trailer tow module behaves under load.
Which Ram and Jeep models are affected
For owners, the first question is whether their specific truck or SUV is on the list. Chrysler has confirmed that the recall covers multiple Ram and Jeep nameplates, including popular pickups and family SUVs that are commonly ordered with factory tow packages. Reporting on the campaign notes that Chrysler is recalling more than 450,000 Jeep and Ram vehicles, including late-model Ram trucks and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles that share the same trailer electronics. The breadth of model years and trims means the recall reaches into both work-truck fleets and suburban driveways.
Detailed breakdowns of the campaign explain that more than 450,000 vehicles are affected across several model lines and that owners can verify their status using online tools that search by vehicle identification number. One widely circulated guide spells out which car models are affected and directs drivers to check recall information on Chrysler’s website. Another overview of the same campaign, framed as a look at more than 450,000, reinforces that the issue is not confined to a single plant or region but spans the broader Ram and Jeep production footprint.
Why owners are told to stop towing immediately
What sets this recall apart is the explicit advice that owners should avoid towing anything until their vehicles are repaired, a step automakers reserve for problems that pose an elevated risk in normal use. Analysts who have reviewed the defect information say the combination of trailer light failures and potential power loss while hauling a load is serious enough that continuing to tow could endanger both the driver and other road users. That is why several consumer-focused explainers are urging nearly half a million Ram and Jeep drivers to skip towing for, even if their vehicles otherwise seem to drive normally.
From a regulatory standpoint, the fact that Chrysler filed a formal Safety Recall with NHTSA signals that the company and federal officials agree the defect meets the threshold for a safety-related campaign, not just a customer satisfaction fix. Technical breakdowns of the recall emphasize that the risk persists whenever a trailer is connected, which is why owners are being told to leave their hitches empty until the module is addressed. One detailed analysis of the recall, framed around what are the, notes that the company expects to begin rolling out repairs around late March 2026, leaving a gap in which owners must balance their towing needs against the documented hazard.
How Chrysler and regulators are responding
Chrysler’s formal response began when it opened Safety Recall 26V059 with NHTSA, a process that requires the company to spell out the defect, identify affected models, and propose a remedy. The recall documentation describes how Chrysler will contact owners, instruct dealers on inspection and repair procedures, and ultimately replace or reprogram the faulty trailer tow module at no cost. In its communications, the automaker has acknowledged that the module was not designed correctly and that the remedy must address the underlying design flaw rather than simply swapping parts, a point echoed in technical reporting on how every vehicle included in the recall potentially carries the same risk.
Regulators, for their part, are using the case to highlight the importance of checking recall notices and acting quickly when a safety campaign involves core functions like braking, steering, or towing. Consumer guides that walk through the recall encourage owners to use official tools to search their VINs and to schedule service appointments as soon as parts and software updates become available. One widely shared explainer, written as a safety and recalls briefing, underscores that the situation is a reminder of how modern vehicles rely on complex electronics for tasks that used to be purely mechanical. Another consumer-focused breakdown, presented as a story about affected models, reinforces that the recall process is the primary path to getting those systems corrected before something goes wrong on the road.
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