Ram

Ram is doing a kind of cool thing with it's Free Agent program in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series.

Ram has an interesting plan for its return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026.

We close our weekend with a recall alert involving 2021-2022 Ram trucks.

Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa revealed during the automaker's latest earnings call that Ram is working on a full-size SUV, expected to enter production in 2028.

Hidden within Stellantis' billions of dollars in announced factory upgrades was confirmation that Ram's all-new mid-size pickup will be assembled at the Toledo Assembly Complex, home of the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator.

Stellantis’ American brands, including Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, built their reputations on the back of the V8 engine, so it was a big surprise to hear the automaker’s plans to move away from the format in favor of a new turbocharged inline six-cylinder, but that plan has changed and buyers have responded. Ram announced the Hemi V8’s return earlier this year, and the early sales numbers show that they’re selling almost as fast as dealers can get them.

As automakers attempt a shift to electrification, the lead times between a vehicle’s announcement and on-sale dates have grown. That has caused headaches for many companies as buyers’ preferences and the economic environment change rapidly, including Ram, which is canceling its long-awaited electric pickup to focus on its soon-to-be-released range-extended model.

Maybe it's an elder Millennial thing, but those easily mocked motivational posters tended to abound in the offices of schools I attended growing up. One said "an error is not a mistake until you refuse to correct it."

Well, Ram thinks it made a mistake by axing the Hemi V8, and the brand has made an effort to correct it. Yes, the engine is back. Hence, the 2026 Ram 1500 Hemi.

Some Stellantis rearview cameras aren't working properly.

Chrysler* (FCA US, LLC) is recalling 2,885 vehicles, including certain 2026 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis models. The instrument panel may show an incorrect brake system warning light, which does not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101 for controls and displays.

Ram is expected to reveal a midsize truck for the U.S. market at some point soon, but the automaker’s smaller pickups have already infiltrated many nearby markets. Ram recently revealed the Dakota Nightfall concept, which previews a new truck for Brazil and other South American countries next year.

The Roadkill Nights event in Michigan brings drag racers, fans, and cars from all over the country, but this year’s event also created a good deal of friction between Ram and local law enforcement. Earlier this week, CEO Tim Kuniskis claimed that someone had stolen the automaker’s “Bucking Hemi” mechanical bull ride, but now, the local sheriff says the company never lost the bull and may pursue criminal charges over the stunt – if it was a stunt.

The midsize pickup market is going strong, but it’s missing one of America’s hometown automakers. Stellantis brand Ram hasn’t offered a truck in the midsize segment since Dodge discontinued the Dakota after the 2011 model year. That’s reportedly changing, though it likely won’t happen until the 2028 model year at the earliest.

Ram is facing a National Highway Traffic Safety (NHTSA) probe into more than a million trucks due to a defect that could increase the risk of a rollaway accident. The investigation is looking at a post-recall remedy on some 2013-2018 Ram trucks that were previously recalled to fix a brake transmission shift interlock problem.

We have one more sales report to bring you before going on break for the holiday. That would be Stellantis/FCA US.

SRT is back. So, which Stellantis models will soon be sporting an SRT trim? Which ones should?

Hey, remember the SRT performance subbrand of Stellantis that sort of quietly faded away not too long ago? Well, it's back!

Oh, and Tim Kuniskis, the boss of the Ram brand, is adding a new role to his responsibilities.

In this week's podcast, I laid out my plan for how to fix Stellantis.

Automakers love to extoll the virtues of long warranties, for fairly obvious reasons. And Ram has unveiled a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty for its trucks.

Ram trucks have performed decently in reliability rankings in recent times, but the automaker is taking steps to boost buyers’ confidence in its vehicles. The company announced a new ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty for its vehicles, saying that it “reflects Ram’s commitment to long-term vehicle quality as more buyers opt for extended loan terms.”

Hey hey! It's time for this week's edition of the TTAC Podcast!

Ram sells a small, affordable truck in other countries, but Americans have been without one for quite a while now. The automaker hasn’t let go of the idea, however, with executives saying that the recently announced Slate pickup truck has been on their minds.

Ram hasn’t been a part of NASCAR Truck Series races for 13 years, but it recently announced a return to the sport in the 2026 Craftsman Truck Series. Tim Kuniskis, Ram CEO, made the announcement at a NASCAR event in Michigan this past weekend, saying that customers and dealers have been clamoring for the move for years.

Auto enthusiasts can find almost anything to complain about, but that bellyaching doesn’t always get results. That said, Ram heard the chorus of doubts about its decision to nix the Hemi V8 in new trucks and is reviving the engine options for the 2026 model year.

We started hearing about Ram’s electrified pickup trucks back in 2023, but we’re now almost halfway through 2025 with nothing to show for it. Even worse, the automaker reportedly delayed the trucks again, making hopeful buyers wait until 2026 or 2027 to get behind the wheel at the earliest.

Seeking to recapture a bit of market share, Ram has introduced another budget-minded variant of its half-ton pickup truck.

Today we bring you a street truck with potent power -- a 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10.

Ram is reportedly considering adding a diesel option to the Power Wagon, supporting recent rumors leaked by dealerships. While the brand offers the Cummins diesel 6.7-liter straight-six on several HD models, the 2500 Power Wagon comes exclusively with a 6.4-liter V8 that burns gasoline. However, the company has said that may be subject to change in subsequent model years.

Ram may bring back the V8 engine, but in the meantime, it’s doing everything it can to make you forget about the inline-six under the hood of its new trucks. Jokes about the engine aside, the new Ram 1500 RHO’s performance is nearly as impressive as last year’s supercharged V8-powered TRX, and the automaker is offering a Mopar upgrade package with elements from the brand’s 2024 SEMA show truck.

If there’s one thing on which dealers can be counted, it’s for having more leaks than a screen door on a submarine. This time, it appears a screenshot from an internal email was shared, one which alleges numerous future plans for the Ram brand – including a return of the V8 engine to its half-ton pickups.

Ram is touting the new Ramcharger truck, which is an extended-range electric, or E-REV.

Stellantis previewed the 2026 Ram 1500 Ramcharger for the media this week, allowing it to cut in front of the all-electric REV pickup in the original production order. Based upon the new STLA body-on-frame architecture the automaker specifically designed for electrified pickups, the Ramcharger is technically an EV — albeit one that still takes advantage of gasoline and hopes to resolve some of the shortcomings associated with other battery powered vehicles.

Stellantis has reportedly committed itself to reactivating the Belvidere Assembly Plant, with the intent to build midsize pickups. The resulting vehicles will undoubtedly settle years worth of rumors that Ram would eventually offer something to compete with trucks like the Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma.

Ram appears to be giving up on the longest-range version of its upcoming 1500 REV electric pickup. Mopar Insiders recently reported that the automaker has canceled the 500-mile version of the truck, leaving only the standard-range model on track for a 2026 release.

Sometimes I ask y'all a QOTD where it seems like the answer is a no-brainer.

This is one of those times.

Despite being the dedicated truck brand for Stellantis, Ram effectively only sells one full-size pickup in a myriad of flavors and configurations and the ProMaster van. Meanwhile, its rivals have correctly identified that there was a large hole in the North American market that could only be plugged with small, affordable trucks — leaving Ram to play catch up.

Detroit automakers always seem to enjoy beating each other over the head when it comes to heavy duty pickup trucks. Torque figures, towing prowess, interior bling, and ever-growing grille sizes are generally top-of-mind for teams tasked with resetting the bar.

An incoming senator has pushed for Stellantis to sell off Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram and for those brands to be acquired by an owner based in the U.S.

Ford might be the most recalled automaker in recent history, but Stellantis isn’t far behind, at number three for recalls since 2010. The Ram brand is adding another recall to the list with a recent action that impacted 339,749 trucks in the U.S. and Canada.

We’ve heard a lot about the upcoming Ram 1500 REV and Ramcharger, but they aren’t coming as soon as we thought. Ram aimed to put both trucks on sale late this year, but so far, neither has arrived. It turns out that the delay is related to Stellantis’ busy vehicle release schedule, which includes two new EVs.

Stellantis is reportedly expanding its production capabilities in Mexico to build Ram 1500 pickup trucks. While the country has been a popular destination for automakers seeking affordable labor outside the United States, while benefiting from North American trade regulations, the decision is not likely to improve the strained relationship between the automaker and the United Auto Workers (UAW).

Ram overhauled the full-size 1500 pickup truck for the 2019 model year, making it one of the most compelling models in its class, but it didn’t kill off its predecessor. The automaker continued selling the prior-generation pickup alongside the new model under the Ram 1500 name. Its absurdly long run on the market has come to an end, however, as keen internet forum users found an image of the last Classic to roll off Ram’s production line.

Ford saw an initial burst of interest in the electric F-150 Lightning pickup, but it’s had to fall back on incentives to maintain that demand in the time since. The automaker’s latest offer is a discount of up to $2,000 to Ram drivers willing to jump to an F-150 Lightning.

Ram is recalling nearly 130,000 examples of the 1500 pickup due to issues with the self-canceling turn signals. As recalls go, this one is a minor safety issue with any legitimate risks being mitigated by an attentive driver. However, it does put the affected vehicles out of compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). It likewise doesn’t help the brand improve its reputation for reliability after Ram was forced to recall over nearly 1.3 million pickups over electrical gremlins just last month.

As one would expect, there will be a raft of grille designs; shown here are ones featuring brightwork on an otherwise color-keyed trim plus a burly dark-hued effort on the Rebel trim. All have the trademark ‘nostrils’, now aligning with the upper edge of the headlamps from which a spear of running lamps are drawn.

Ram has two electrified pickups on the horizon – one EV and another with a range-extending gas engine. The automaker’s CEO recently confirmed a rough release date for the fully electric Ram 1500 REV and the range-extended Ramcharger, and the waits for hopeful buyers won’t be too much longer.

Stellantis is about to be on the hook for an enormous recall involving one of its most popular models.

Automakers might want you to believe their heavy-duty trucks are rugged enough to drive on the moon, but Ram is the only one to incorporate celestial bodies into its vehicle designs. The company recently announced new Ram HD Lunar Editions that bring moon-inspired color schemes and other touches that set them apart from the standard trucks.

After hanging on for quite some time, the Ram Classic is finally dead. Fully dead. Kaput.

Stellantis has officially confirmed that 2024 will be the very last model year of the Ram 1500 Classic. But it had quite the run, entering production way back in 2008 as the “Dodge Ram 1500.”

I saw Twisters last night. It's fine, as far as nostalgia-based sequels go, though flawed. It also has a lot of Stellantis muscle -- one main character tools around in a Ram TRX and there are Durangos -- I think with Hemis -- aplenty, as well.