Chrysler is recalling 265,512 Ram ProMaster vans in the United States over a steering defect that can knock out power steering assistance with no warning to the driver, federal regulators said this week. The Ram ProMaster recall covers nearly every full-size ProMaster van built for model years 2022 through 2026 — including the electric version — making it one of the largest van recalls of the year.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), water can seep into the vans’ electric power steering wiring harness, damaging the wiring and potentially leaving drivers wrestling a heavy, unassisted steering wheel at speed. NHTSA warned that the damage can increase the risk of a crash, as Fox Business reported.
Which vans are covered by the Ram ProMaster recall
The recall breaks down across the ProMaster lineup like this:
- 44,391 Ram 1500 ProMasters (model years 2022–2026)
- 147,204 Ram 2500 ProMasters (model years 2022–2026)
- 72,043 Ram 3500 ProMasters (model years 2022–2026)
- 1,874 Ram 3500 EV ProMasters (model years 2024–2026)
The ProMaster is Ram’s workhorse full-size cargo van — the backbone of delivery fleets, camper conversions, and contractor rigs across the country. With more than a quarter-million units affected, the campaign touches a meaningful share of the vans currently on American roads. Stellantis, Chrysler’s parent company, has been leaning on the ProMaster line as part of its commercial-vehicle push, so a defect this broad lands at an awkward moment for the brand.
What the steering defect does
The problem sits in the electric power steering system. Per NHTSA’s recall notice, water can penetrate the wiring harness that feeds the electric power steering gear. Over time, that moisture can damage the wiring itself — and when the wiring fails, power steering assistance can cut out.
The frightening part, according to the agency: drivers may receive no warning before losing assistance. There is no guaranteed dashboard alert, no gradual fade. One moment the steering is light and normal; the next, the wheel goes heavy. In a van that can weigh well over 5,000 pounds empty — and considerably more loaded — a sudden loss of assist makes the vehicle far harder to control, especially at highway speeds or in a tight maneuver.
Stellantis spokesperson Frank Matyok told The Detroit News that the company is aware of one accident linked to the problem, with no injuries reported. That single incident is the only crash the automaker has tied to the defect so far.
The investigation that led here
This recall did not come out of nowhere. Earlier this year, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened a preliminary probe into power steering failures on Ram ProMaster vans after receiving 19 owner complaints alleging intermittent or complete loss of power steering assist, as reported by automotive outlets covering the investigation. Several of those complaints pointed at water intrusion in the electric connectors of the power steering control module — the same failure mode now cited in the recall.
Owners described steering wheels that would “lock up” or jerk at low speeds, or power steering that would cut out randomly at both high and low speeds. In at least one case, no warning light appeared on the instrument cluster. The investigation initially covered roughly 136,666 vans from the 2022 and 2023 model years; the new recall expands the net to 2022–2026 and more than 265,000 vehicles.
What owners need to do
If you own a 2022–2026 Ram ProMaster, here is the timeline as it stands:
- Interim owner notification letters are expected to be mailed starting November 17, alerting owners to the safety risk.
- Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the wiring harness and the electronic power steering gear free of charge. Additional letters will go out once the final remedy is fully available.
Because the defect can strike without warning, owners who notice any change in steering feel — heaviness, intermittent assist, a wheel that tugs or jerks — should contact their Ram dealer promptly rather than waiting for the letter. Owners can also check whether their specific van is included by entering its VIN on NHTSA’s recall lookup site.
Another big recall in a tough stretch for Stellantis
The ProMaster steering campaign adds to a growing list of 2025–2026 safety actions for Stellantis. Last year the company recalled 235,640 Ram ProMaster vans over faulty rearview cameras, and it has issued several other campaigns across the Ram lineup covering headlights, tire-pressure monitors, and airbags. Recalls are a normal part of the auto business, but stacked campaigns carry real costs — warranty and replacement expenses, dealer workload, and the slow erosion of owner confidence.
That matters because the commercial van segment is brutally competitive. The ProMaster fights the segment-leading Ford Transit and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter for fleet contracts where downtime is money. For context on how Ram’s broader business is faring, see our recent look at Stellantis’ third-quarter sales performance, and for the wider wave of October safety actions, our roundup of Ford’s 41,748-vehicle recall over LED headlight issues.
FAQ: Ram ProMaster steering recall
How do I know if my Ram ProMaster is part of the recall?
The recall covers Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 ProMaster vans from model years 2022–2026 and the Ram 3500 EV ProMaster from 2024–2026. Enter your van’s 17-digit VIN on NHTSA’s website or call your Ram dealer to confirm. Interim notification letters are expected to begin mailing November 17.
What should I do if my steering suddenly feels heavy?
Treat it as the defect in action: reduce speed carefully, avoid sudden maneuvers, and get the van to a Ram dealer as soon as it is safe to do so. Do not wait for the recall letter if you are already experiencing symptoms.
Is it still safe to drive my ProMaster?
NHTSA has not ordered owners to stop driving the vans, but the agency warns the steering damage can increase crash risk — and the loss of assist can come without warning. If your van is in the affected range, getting the free inspection done promptly is the safest course.
Will the repair cost me anything?
No. Dealers will inspect and replace the wiring harness and electronic power steering gear if needed, free of charge.
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