Ram 1500 Rearview Camera Recall: Essential 7-Step Owner Guide

The 2025–2026 Ram 1500 rearview camera recall covers 239,131 U.S. trucks because a radio software error may prevent the backup-camera image from appearing. NHTSA campaign 26V560, filed September 1, 2026, identifies the manufacturer campaign as 83D.

A missing rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the truck and increase crash risk. The announced remedy is a free radio software update delivered over the air or installed by a dealer. Owners should verify their individual VIN rather than assuming every 2025 or 2026 Ram 1500 is included.

This Carvul news guide explains the confirmed population, symptoms, remedy, VIN-check timing, dealer steps, and what used-truck buyers should document.

Quick Answer

FCA US is recalling certain 2025 and 2026 Ram 1500 trucks because radio software may keep the rearview-camera image from displaying when the vehicle is placed in reverse. The campaign covers an estimated 239,131 vehicles. NHTSA lists campaign 26V560 and FCA campaign 83D.

The planned repair is a software update, either over the air or through a dealer, at no charge. Owner notification letters are expected September 24, 2026, and the recall filing says affected VINs are expected to become searchable through NHTSA on September 9. Dates and availability can change, so check both NHTSA and Mopar.

Confirmed Ram 1500 Rearview Camera Recall Facts

For affected owners, the Ram 1500 rearview camera recall concerns the software responsible for displaying the camera image. It should not be described as proof that the physical camera on every recalled truck is defective. Only a VIN result can establish whether a specific truck is included.

Why the Missing Image Matters

Federal rear-visibility requirements are intended to help drivers see the area behind a vehicle when reversing. A full-size pickup has substantial blind areas, and a missing image can make pedestrians, children, vehicles, posts, or low objects harder to detect.

The camera remains an aid rather than permission to reverse without checking mirrors and surroundings. Ram’s owner guidance tells drivers to remain aware of the area behind the vehicle and use rearview and side mirrors if an image does not appear.

If the screen is blank, frozen, delayed, distorted, or showing the wrong view, stop when safe and check the environment directly. Do not continue backing solely because no warning tone is active.

Seven Essential Ram 1500 Rearview Camera Recall Checks

1. Confirm the model year and exact VIN

Check the 17-character VIN on the dashboard, driver-door label, registration, insurance documents, or title. Compare the characters carefully before using an online lookup.

2. Search NHTSA and Mopar

Use both the NHTSA recall lookup and Mopar VIN recall search. Newly filed campaigns can take time to populate, so repeat the check after the date identified in the recall documents.

3. Record what happens in reverse

Test in a safe stationary setting with the parking brake procedures in the owner’s manual. Note whether the image appears consistently, whether the screen has restarted, and whether the failure is intermittent. Do not stage a test where people or obstacles are behind the truck.

4. Check for the OTA update prompt

The announced remedy can be delivered over the air. Follow the on-screen conditions exactly, keep the truck in the required state, and do not interrupt installation. Photograph or record the completion message for your records.

5. Contact a dealer if OTA installation fails

If the update does not download, stalls, or fails, contact an authorized dealer. The recall remedy is to be installed without charge. Ask the service department to verify campaign 83D against the VIN and provide a completed repair order.

6. Keep using direct observation

Until the remedy is confirmed, use mirrors and physically check the area behind the truck. Even after repair, continue normal backing precautions because no camera displays every possible obstacle.

7. Save recall and repair documentation

Keep the notice, appointment confirmation, repair order, software version information, and completion record. Documentation matters for future troubleshooting, warranty questions, and resale.

How the Ram 1500 Rearview Camera Recall Remedy Works

An over-the-air remedy allows compatible vehicles to receive corrected radio software without a routine service visit. A prompt should appear on the media screen when the update is available. Owners should read the instructions and allow enough time for completion.

After installation, review the status shown on the display and test normal operation in a controlled location. If the screen reports an error or the rearview image still fails, contact the dealer rather than repeatedly resetting systems without guidance.

Owners unable to complete the OTA process may have the software installed by a dealer free of charge. Ask whether the dealer needs the truck for a specific period and whether the campaign is shown as complete in the manufacturer’s system before leaving.

How to Document a Rearview Camera Failure

During the Ram 1500 rearview camera recall process, a clear record can make a dealer visit more productive, especially when the image failure is intermittent. Write down the date, mileage, outside temperature, whether the truck had just started, and what appeared on the screen after reverse was selected. Note a blank screen, delayed image, frozen frame, restart, error message, or normal display as precisely as possible.

If it can be done while the truck is safely parked, photograph the display and instrument panel without including private addresses or personal information. Do not hold a phone or record while driving. Keep the original file with its date and add the symptom to the appointment request so the service department knows what it is trying to verify.

Ask the dealer to write the reported symptom on the repair order even if the camera works during the visit. The repair order should identify the VIN, mileage, campaign status, software action performed, and whether the campaign was closed in the manufacturer’s system. A verbal statement alone is harder to verify later.

If the condition continues after an update, record the new occurrence and contact the dealer again. A completed campaign record confirms the prescribed remedy was performed; it does not mean an owner should ignore a recurring rear-visibility problem. Report an unresolved safety concern to the manufacturer and, when appropriate, NHTSA.

OTA Update Safety and Privacy Checklist

Before accepting an over-the-air update, read the on-screen instructions and use a secure location where the truck can remain parked for the required time. Confirm the vehicle has the connectivity and battery conditions requested by the system. Do not interrupt the process by moving the truck, disconnecting power, or repeatedly restarting the display unless official instructions direct that action.

• Confirm the prompt appears in the truck’s official system rather than through an email link asking for credentials.
• Review the update description and campaign reference shown.
• Park where loss of vehicle functions during installation will not create a hazard.
• Keep key fobs, phones, and account access available as instructed.
• Record the completion status and software information shown afterward.
• Verify the rearview image in a clear, controlled area before normal use.

Owners should not provide a password, one-time code, or payment information to someone claiming the free recall update requires a fee. Use the official Mopar account, vehicle interface, published customer-care contact, or an authorized dealer. When uncertain, end the contact and call the dealer using a number independently obtained from its official website.

What to Do Before VIN Results Appear

The filing indicates September 9 as the expected NHTSA VIN-search date. Before then, owners can gather the VIN, monitor Mopar’s lookup, watch for an update prompt, and contact customer care with campaign 83D. Do not infer inclusion from model year alone.

If a rearview image fails, use mirrors and direct observation, and avoid reversing when the path cannot be confirmed. A driver remains responsible for checking surroundings. Seek dealer guidance when the display problem continues.

This recall does not carry a published park-outside or stop-drive direction in the campaign information reviewed for this article. Do not import instructions from an unrelated recall.

Ram 1500 Rearview Camera Recall Buyer Checklist

A used-truck shopper should run the VIN before purchase and ask for proof of campaign completion. A seller’s statement that “the software updated” is not as useful as a repair order or manufacturer record tied to the VIN.

• Match the VIN across truck and title documents.
• Check campaign 26V560/83D and every other open recall.
• Test the rearview image through repeated normal reverse selections.
• Confirm the display does not restart or remain blank.
• Review service and software-update records.
• Get an independent inspection before final payment.
• Put any promised recall completion in writing.

Use Carvul’s used car inspection checklist and vehicle history report guide for the rest of the truck. A recall lookup does not reveal collision repairs, maintenance neglect, title problems, or general mechanical condition.

How This Recall Differs From the Ram Seatbelt Campaign

Carvul previously covered a separate Ram 1500 seatbelt recall. That campaign concerns second-row buckle-anchor attachment on certain 2019–2026 trucks. The new rearview-camera campaign concerns radio software on certain 2025–2026 trucks.

The affected years overlap, but the components, campaign numbers, risks, and remedies are different. A truck can be included in one campaign, both, or neither. Check the VIN for every open recall instead of assuming completion of one repair closes all campaigns.

Dealer Appointment Questions

• Does my VIN show campaign 83D as open?
• Can the truck receive the OTA remedy?
• What should I do if the update prompt does not appear?
• Will the dealer verify the software version after installation?
• Will I receive a zero-dollar repair order showing recall completion?
• Are any other campaigns open for this VIN?

Do not pay for the recall remedy. Separate unrelated maintenance or damage may still be chargeable, so ask the dealer to distinguish recall work from optional or customer-pay recommendations.

What Sellers and Dealers Should Disclose

For a used-truck transaction, the Ram 1500 rearview camera recall should be checked by VIN. A private seller or dealer should provide the VIN so a buyer can run an independent recall check. Ask for the current lookup result and a dated repair order if campaign 83D is shown as completed. Because databases and repairs can update at different times, the buyer should repeat the lookup close to delivery rather than rely on an older screenshot.

An open recall does not reveal the truck’s total condition or value. Price negotiations should still consider mileage, title history, collision repairs, maintenance, tires, brakes, drivetrain condition, options, and local market supply. The recall remedy itself is free, but scheduling, transportation, or an unresolved display symptom can affect the timing and convenience of a purchase.

If completion is promised before sale, write the exact campaign number and proof required into the agreement. Do not accept a generic statement that “all updates are done.” For remote purchases, request a legible repair order tied to the VIN and verify the campaign through the official lookup before sending final payment.

When to Contact NHTSA or Ram Customer Care

Contact the dealer or Ram customer-care channel for questions about VIN eligibility, update delivery, appointments, and completion records. Have the VIN and campaign 83D available. NHTSA’s recall lookup is the authoritative federal starting point for open safety recalls and the campaign record.

A consumer can submit a safety complaint to NHTSA when a vehicle problem may create a safety risk, including a recurring rearview display failure. Describe what happened accurately and include dates, mileage, repair attempts, and relevant documentation. Do not characterize the cause as proven unless a technician or official record establishes it.

Call emergency services for an immediate emergency or crash. Recall portals and complaint forms are not emergency-response channels. For ordinary service questions, keep a written record of dealer and manufacturer contacts so later reviewers can see what was reported and what action was taken.

Owners who need accessibility accommodations, transportation assistance, or a different appointment arrangement should ask the dealer what support is available before the visit. Availability can vary by dealer and is separate from the requirement that the recall remedy itself be provided without charge.

Ram 1500 Rearview Camera Recall FAQ for Owners

Which Ram 1500 trucks are recalled?

The filing covers certain 2025 and 2026 Ram 1500 trucks. Inclusion depends on VIN, not model year alone.

How many trucks are affected?

NHTSA campaign 26V560 lists an estimated 239,131 vehicles.

What causes the problem?

The campaign identifies a radio software error that may prevent the rearview-camera image from displaying.

Is the repair free?

Yes. The remedy is an OTA or dealer-installed software update without charge.

Can owners still drive?

The reviewed campaign does not announce a stop-drive direction. Drivers should use mirrors, check surroundings directly, and install the remedy when available.

When will letters arrive?

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 24, 2026. Confirm current timing through NHTSA or Mopar.

Bottom Line

The 2025–2026 Ram 1500 rearview camera recall is a software-related federal campaign covering an estimated 239,131 trucks. The practical steps are straightforward: verify the VIN, watch for the update, use direct observation when reversing, and obtain proof that campaign 83D is complete.

Do not confuse this campaign with other Ram or broader Stellantis camera recalls. Use the exact campaign number and VIN result, and preserve the repair record for ownership and resale.

Sources reviewed September 5, 2026: NHTSA Part 573 report for campaign 26V560, official Mopar VIN lookup, and Cars.com recall summary.