Ram45002026Overview/ram/4500/2026/base/

2026 Ram 4500

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2026 4500.

The 2026 Ram 4500 represents the current culmination of a model lineage tracked from 2008 to 2026, though this overview does not specify its underlying body, platform, or engine configurations. The vehicle's standout figures instead emerge from its complaint history, which remains remarkably restrained with a peak of just eight complaints in 2014 and a nadir of a single complaint in 2009. Occupying the final year of this documented timeline, the 2026 model inherits a proven reliability trajectory defined by minimal historical issues, meaning researchers can view this iteration as a mature and highly dependable entry in the lineup.

Model year2026202520242023202220212020

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
155
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

25V530000Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/PanelReported 18/08/2025

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 2500, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The instrument panel may display an incorrect brake system warning light. As such… Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 9, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at…

25V826000Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/PanelReported 01/12/2025

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Ram Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the… Remedy: Dealers will inspect and update the instrument panel software or replace the instrument panel cluster, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 155 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S26080000322026-07-10Electrical SystemInstrumental Panel Cluster (IPC) Mechanical Gauge Stuck, Inaccurate
1132952026-07-07EngineVALVE KIT – EGR and VALVE - EGR BYPASS
S2508000025 REV. B2026-07-06Electrical SystemInstrument Panel Cluster (IPC) and Radio Compass Display has Dashes (--)
9100833 REV12026-07-06Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel Delivery Module Before replacing the fuel module for DTCs P0461 and P062A and other…
9100803 Rev 32026-07-06StructureFront Fog Lamp RT 1) If the lamp contains moisture, do not replace it immediately. Turn…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 4500. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2026 4500 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.