You own a Jeep or Ram that tows gear, and this recall could change when and how you hitch up. Chrysler is recalling more than 450,000 vehicles and several tow-trailer modules because a defective trailer tow module can cause trailer brake lights to fail and trailer brakes to malfunction, increasing crash risk.
They should check whether their vehicle model and year are affected and schedule a dealer visit for a free repair or module replacement. The article that follows breaks down which models are included, what the defect does, and what steps owners and dealers are taking.
Details of the Chrysler Recall
Chrysler identified a trailer tow module defect that can prevent trailer turn signals, stop lamps, and trailer brakes from working. Affected owners should stop towing until their vehicle is repaired and check VIN status online or contact their dealer.
Affected Vehicles and Tow Trailer Modules
The recall covers multiple Ram and Jeep models from recent model years. Included are many 2025–2026 Ram pickups and cab chassis (Ram 1500, 2500, 3500 pickup; Ram 3500, 4500, 5500 cab chassis) plus select Jeep models: the 2024–2026 Jeep Wagoneer S and certain 2026 Jeep Cherokee units. Production dates vary by model; owners should verify their VIN to confirm inclusion.
Mopar tow trailer modules are the specific components implicated. Chrysler identified roughly 2,871 tow-trailer modules tied to the issue; part numbers reported in filings match Mopar module catalog numbers. Dealers will replace only the affected module variants during the remedy.
Trailer Brake Light and Brake Failure Risk
The defect can cause trailer turn signals to not flash when the vehicle’s turn lever is used. It can also prevent trailer stop lamps from illuminating when the vehicle brakes, and in some units the trailer brakes may not activate at all.
Loss of trailer lighting and brakes increases crash risk because following drivers may not see braking or directional changes. Chrysler and NHTSA warn against towing with affected vehicles until the module is replaced. Drivers who tow frequently or carry heavy loads face higher exposure to the hazard.
Recall Numbers and Notification Process
Chrysler filed safety recall documents with NHTSA under recall identifiers listed in agency records. Owners will be notified by mail; FCA indicated owner notification would begin on or around March 24, 2026. The public filing includes recall details and the specific model years and production ranges for the affected vehicles.
Owners can check recall status by entering their VIN at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website or by contacting a local dealer. Notifications typically include the recall number, the affected part numbers, and instructions for scheduling the repair.
Dealer Remedy and Owner Actions
Dealers will replace the faulty Mopar trailer tow module at no charge to owners. Replacement requires scheduling an appointment; repair times vary but dealers will install the correct module variant and verify trailer lighting and brake operation before returning the vehicle.
Owners should avoid towing until the remedy is completed and should confirm appointments if they rely on their vehicle for commercial or heavy towing use. If an owner experiences trailer light or brake issues before repair, they should report the problem to their dealer and to NHTSA via the agency’s online complaint portal.
Background, Investigation, and Safety Implications
Chrysler identified a design flaw in certain trailer tow modules that can prevent trailer brake lights from illuminating and, in some cases, disable trailer brakes. Owners of affected Jeep and Ram models will be notified and dealers will offer free replacements or buybacks for unused modules.
How the Trailer Module Defect Was Uncovered
Engineers and field technicians traced the problem to an improperly designed trailer tow module that controls trailer lighting and brake signal circuits. Reports first appeared in dealership repair orders and warranty claims showing inconsistent trailer brake function when the vehicle brake pedal was applied.
Those repair orders included instances of inoperative trailer lighting and, separately, trailer brake failure. Technicians reproduced the failure during bench tests and in on-vehicle diagnostics, confirming the module could lose the signal path to trailer lights or the trailer brake actuator.
Data aggregated from warranty claims and dealer service records revealed a pattern across model years and installations, prompting further component-level testing. That testing led FCA US LLC to notify regulators and initiate the recall.
Role of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received manufacturer defect notices and opened a docket to track the issue, assigning a formal campaign number and publishing the recall details online. NHTSA’s role included reviewing Chrysler’s defect analysis and the proposed remedy.
NHTSA also made the recall public so owners could check VINs and confirm eligibility through the agency’s database or the manufacturer’s recall lookup. The agency requires timely owner notification and monitors the remedy’s effectiveness via follow-up reporting on repair completion rates and any related field reports.
NHTSA can compel further action if post-recall data show persistent failures, and it coordinates communications between dealers, the manufacturer, and affected consumers.
Warranty Claims and Field Reports
Warranty claims provided the earliest, concrete signals of a systemic issue. Dealers submitted field reports noting symptoms like no trailer brake engagement and absence of trailer brake light illumination when the vehicle brakes were applied.
Those field reports included test results, failed module serial numbers, and repair orders documenting replacement attempts. Chrysler analyzed the aggregated warranty data to quantify affected vehicle counts, module production batches, and the frequency of failure modes.
Owners who already experienced the issue had repairs logged under warranty remediation; dealers will now replace installed modules at no charge. Uninstalled modules purchased as parts are subject to dealer buyback per the recall plan.
Safety Reminders for Jeep and Ram Owners
Owners should immediately avoid towing if they notice trailer brake lights don’t illuminate or if the trailer’s brakes don’t seem to engage. They should check trailer lighting before every trip and inspect the 7-pin or 4-pin connector for corrosion, bent pins, or loose wiring.
If an owner suspects the defect, they should contact their dealer and provide vehicle VINs and any repair orders or field reports they’ve received. Chrysler’s recall notice lists affected model years and instructs dealers to replace the trailer tow module free of charge; owners can also verify recall status through NHTSA’s recall lookup or the manufacturer’s recall page.
Documenting complaints, photos, and repair orders helps with warranty claims and any follow-up with NHTSA.
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