Chrysler is recalling more than 450,000 vehicles after discovering a defect that can keep trailer brake lights and turn signals from working properly, raising the risk of a crash. The campaign sweeps in a wide range of newer Jeep and Ram models, so owners who tow even occasionally now have a fresh safety headache to deal with. The company and federal regulators say the fix will be handled by dealers at no cost, but drivers will need to confirm whether their specific SUV or pickup is on the list.
The recall centers on a faulty trailer tow module that can interrupt power to a trailer’s lights and, in some cases, affect braking performance. In total, the action covers 456,287 vehicles and 2,871 tow-trailer modules, a scale that turns what might sound like a niche towing issue into a mainstream safety story for suburban families, contractors and long‑haul road‑trippers alike.
What Chrysler found and why it matters
At the heart of the recall is an improperly designed trailer tow module that can cut power to a trailer’s brake lights and turn signals while the vehicle is in motion. When that happens, drivers behind a Jeep or Ram that is towing may have no visual warning that the rig is slowing or turning, which regulators say increases the risk of a rear‑end collision or side impact. Chrysler’s own filings describe a defect that can lead to trailer brake light failure and intermittent braking issues, and safety officials have treated it as a serious hazard rather than a minor electrical glitch.
Across the fleet, the recall covers exactly 456,287 vehicles and tow‑trailer modules, a more precise figure behind the shorthand that Chrysler is recalling more than 450,000 vehicles. Company documents and federal summaries describe how the faulty module can disrupt the trailer lighting circuit and, in some cases, affect the trailer’s electric brakes, which is why some reports frame the issue as one in which brakes could fail on affected rigs. Regulators say the defect can lead to a vehicle crash without prior warning, a blunt assessment that explains the urgency behind the campaign.
Impacted Jeep and Ram models
The bulk of the recalled vehicles sit under the Jeep and Ram badges that anchor Chrysler’s truck and SUV lineup. The campaign includes a run of 2024 to 2026 Jeep Wagoneer S models, a battery‑electric SUV that is only just reaching driveways, along with other Jeep and Ram models that share the same trailer‑tow hardware. Separate summaries of the action highlight that certain 2024‑26 Jeep Wagoneer S SUVs are affected, which means some of the newest, highest‑priced vehicles in the lineup are already headed back to service bays for safety work.
On the truck side, Chrysler is recalling model year 2025 and 2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup and Ram 3500 Pickup trucks that were equipped with the suspect towing hardware. One detailed breakdown notes that Model year 2025 and 2026 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups are all included, while another summary of the Jeep and Ram campaign stresses that the trailer brake lights and turn signal recall hits certain 2024‑26 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025‑26 Ram 1500 Pickup and Ram 2500 Pickup models. A regional report on the issue in Connecticut likewise points to the Jeep Wagoneer and Ram Pickup lines as key parts of the recall, underscoring how widely these trucks and SUVs are used in everyday traffic.
How big this recall really is
Automakers issue recalls constantly, but the scale of this one pushes it into a different category. Chrysler is recalling more than 450,000 Jeep and Ram vehicles in a single sweep, a figure that rivals some of the larger safety campaigns in recent years. Another summary of the action repeats that Chrysler is recalling more than 450,000 vehicles whose brakes could fail, language that reflects how regulators view the risk when a trailer’s lights and braking system are compromised at highway speeds.
Federal recall databases show that the campaign is one of several large‑scale actions involving Chrysler, Jeep and Ram products in recent years, a reminder that high‑volume brands can see big numbers when a single component is shared across multiple nameplates. The official recall notice is posted with the National Highway Traffic, where owners can search by vehicle identification number to see if their specific SUV or pickup is included. One consumer‑focused breakdown of the situation notes that Chrysler’s corporate name is FCA and frames the recall as part of a broader pattern of safety campaigns that have swept through the industry over the past decade.
What Chrysler and dealers will do
Chrysler has told regulators it will notify owners and instruct dealers to inspect and repair the affected trailer tow modules at no charge. In some cases, that will mean updating software, while in others the hardware itself will be replaced to restore proper power to trailer brake lights and turn signals. One detailed account of the campaign notes that Chrysler is recalling more than 450,000 vehicles and more than 2,800 trailer modules, and that dealers will handle the remedy as part of the company’s standard safety‑recall process.
Owners who want to get ahead of the mail can plug their 17‑digit VIN into Chrysler’s own recall portal, which is hosted on the Mopar site. A more detailed version of that page explains that drivers can use the same recall search tool to request reimbursement for previous recall‑related costs, which matters for owners who may have already paid out of pocket to chase down mysterious trailer‑light problems before the official campaign was announced.
How owners can check their VIN and stay ahead of recalls
For drivers trying to figure out whether their own Jeep Wagoneer S or Ram 1500 Pickup is part of the campaign, the most direct route is to run the VIN through official databases. The federal portal run by the National Highway Traffic lets owners enter that 17‑digit code and instantly see any open recalls tied to their vehicle. A separate link to the agency’s main recalls page offers broader search tools and educational material on how safety campaigns work, which can be helpful for owners juggling multiple vehicles or shopping used.
Chrysler owners also have brand‑specific options. The company’s Mopar account system lets drivers store their vehicles and contact details so they can receive alerts when new recalls hit, instead of relying solely on paper mailers that can lag behind reality. Other automakers have built similar tools, such as BMW’s Check Your Recall portal that walks owners through entering a VIN and updating contact information. The spread of these digital tools reflects a simple reality: with recalls now routinely involving hundreds of thousands of vehicles at a time, staying ahead of safety notices has become part of basic car ownership.
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