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Yes, there is a real safety recall—but it does not cover every 2025 Ram 2500 or Ram 3500. NHTSA recall 25V297000, Chrysler campaign 36C, covers certain 2025 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups equipped with a 3.5-inch instrument cluster and column shifter. A software error can display the wrong gear position, potentially misleading the driver and allowing unexpected vehicle movement.
The remedy is a free, dealer-performed instrument-cluster software update. The recall was announced May 7, 2025, and Chrysler said owner letters were mailed May 22, 2025.
What the Ram recall actually concerns
The defect involves the truck’s gear-position indication—the PRNDL information shown in the instrument cluster. The software may cause the displayed gear selection to be inaccurate or delayed.
That is different from saying the automatic transmission mechanically shifts itself into the wrong gear. The verified recall description identifies an incorrect display, not a confirmed internal transmission failure or a transmission-replacement campaign.
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If the display does not match the transmission’s actual position, a driver could believe the truck is in Park, Reverse, Neutral, or Drive when it is not. That creates a risk of unexpected movement and increases the possibility of a crash.
Which trucks are covered?
- 2025 Ram 2500 pickups
- 2025 Ram 3500 pickups
- Vehicles equipped with the 3.5-inch instrument cluster
- Vehicles equipped with a column shifter
The campaign is configuration- and VIN-specific. A 2025 Ram 2500 or 3500 with a different cluster or shifter may not be included, so model year alone is not enough to determine coverage. The available recall summary does not establish a verified total population count for 25V297; owners should rely on a VIN lookup rather than an estimated number.
Why an incorrect gear display matters
The risk is most apparent during low-speed operations where drivers depend on the selected gear:
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- Starting or parking the truck
- Switching between Reverse and Drive
- Moving on a slope or in a driveway
- Hitching or unhitching a trailer
- Maneuvering around a worksite or loading area
These are practical safety scenarios implied by the defect—not reports that every affected truck has moved unexpectedly. Until the repair is completed, owners should use the parking brake, confirm the truck’s behavior carefully, and avoid relying solely on the display. Those precautions do not replace the recall repair.
How the recall is repaired
Ram dealers will update the instrument-cluster software at no charge for eligible vehicles. Do not treat a generic OBD-II scanner or aftermarket tuning programmer as an equivalent repair. Such devices may not contain the authorized calibration, may not complete the recall procedure, and cannot substitute for dealer documentation.
Owners should:
- Find the truck’s 17-character VIN.
- Check it using the NHTSA recall lookup.
- Contact a Ram dealer and reference Chrysler campaign 36C or NHTSA 25V297.
- Ask whether the update is available and whether the dealer has specific interim driving instructions for that VIN.
- Follow any instructions in the recall letter.
- After service, confirm that 36C is marked completed and ask the dealer to check for every other open campaign.
Chrysler’s listed customer-service number is 1-800-853-1403. Owners can also use NHTSA’s free SaferCar and recall-alert information.
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Can an affected truck still be driven?
The recall summary identifies an increased crash risk but does not impose a universal stop-drive order. Owners should read their notice and ask the dealer whether the specific truck is safe to drive before repair.
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If the cluster is actively showing an incorrect gear, goes blank, or behaves unpredictably, contact a Ram dealer before continuing to use the truck. If the update cannot be completed, ask the dealer to document the campaign number, software version, completion status, any diagnostic codes, and whether another repair is required.
Do not confuse 36C with other Ram software campaigns
Several later Ram campaigns concern instrument-cluster software, but they are not automatically the same defect. A VIN check is necessary because campaigns can overlap.
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| Campaign | Vehicles or system | Problem | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25V297 / 36C May 7, 2025 |
Certain 2025 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups with a 3.5-inch cluster and column shifter | Gear-selection display may be inaccurate | Free instrument-cluster software update |
| 25V826 / B4C and B8C December 2025 |
Certain 2025–2026 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, and 3500/4500/5500 chassis-cab vehicles | 12-inch cluster may go blank at startup or while driving | Cluster inspection and software update or replacement as necessary |
| 26V225 / 35D April 2026 |
Certain 2025–2026 Ram vehicles with a 3.5-inch cluster | Cluster may be inoperative at startup or while driving | Instrument-panel software update |
The later campaigns involve related electronics but different defect descriptions and campaign numbers. Completing 36C does not necessarily close 25V826 or 26V225. Details for 25V826 and 26V225 are in the NHTSA manufacturer reports.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A separate 2025 Ram 3500 transmission bulletin
Some 2025 Ram 3500 pickups built on or before May 14, 2025, with the 6.4-liter HEMI Upgrade HD engine and 8-speed 8HP75-LCV transmission were covered by technical service bulletin 21-034-25, issued June 13, 2025.
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What used-truck shoppers should do
Run the VIN before buying a used 2025 Ram 2500 or 3500. Ask for repair-order documentation showing whether 36C and any later campaigns have been completed. An open safety recall should be treated as a repair item to resolve—not as proof that the truck has a failed transmission.
Imported or non-U.S. trucks may be covered by different market campaigns and repair procedures. The U.S. NHTSA lookup may not establish recall status for those vehicles.
If the problem remains after service
Document exactly what the cluster shows, when it occurs, and whether the issue affects starting, shifting, parking, or trailer maneuvering. Return to the dealer with the repair order and ask whether the 36C update completed successfully, which software version was installed, and whether another open recall or diagnostic fault is involved.
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