Washington, D.C. – August 7, 2025 – The U.S. government auto safety regulator is investigating Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) over allegations that their pickup trucks may accidentally shift out of Park and roll away, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.
If this investigation leads to a recall, it could affect an estimated 1.88 million trucks, including the following:
- 2013 – 2018 RAM 1500
- 2013 – 2018 RAM 2500
- 2013 – 2018 RAM 3500
- 2013 – 2018 RAM 4500
- 2013 – 2018 RAM 5500
Most of these pickups were recalled in December 2017 or February 2018 over the same issue.
Investigation summary
The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), initiated an investigation on July 3, 2025, following 14 complaints of vehicles that rolled away despite being parked. This has resulted in 12 crashes, in which seven people sustained injuries.
The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether the repairs performed previously were sufficient, ascertain the root cause of the accidents and identify why the Park gear mechanism that is set to prevent rollaways keeps malfunctioning.
Risks
An unattended vehicle that shifts out of Park gear may roll away and crash, causing injuries to any occupants inside it or nearby pedestrians or damaging surrounding objects.
Vehicle “crashed into some trees”
Drivers described harrowing accidents that resulted in the vehicles being totaled or colliding with stationary objects while being turned off and parked. In one, the car was parked on a street when, suddenly, it rolled away and hit a “utility pole nearly braking… in two.”
In another, the car crashed into trees with a child inside who luckily was not injured.
Previous recalls
In December 2017 and February 2018, RAM recalled most of these trucks to inspect the operation of the Park Gear mechanism and replace it if necessary. This procedure was accompanied by a software update to the vehicle’s Body Control Module (BCM).
Is your vehicle part of a recall?
This investigation could lead to a RAM parking brake recall, potentially affecting 1.88 million pickups. To do a RAM recall check and see if your vehicle might be a part of it, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.