The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into nearly 1.2 million Ram trucks from model years 2013 to 2018 due to reports that previous recalls may not have fully addressed a potential roll-away risk. The issue centers around the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) system, which could allow vehicles to shift out of park without anyone pressing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
According to NHTSA, 20 reports suggest that repairs did not fully solve the problem, resulting in seven injuries and 12 incidents involving crashes or fires. The investigation covers Ram models with column-mounted shift levers, where the BTSI locking pin can get stuck, causing the truck to slip out of park unexpectedly.
The NHTSA is seeking to determine why these roll-away incidents continue to occur and if there’s another underlying cause. Stellantis, Ram’s parent company, has stated that it’s working with regulators as the investigation continues.
In the meantime, owners of affected Ram trucks are advised to use the parking brake to reduce the risk of their vehicle moving unexpectedly until a permanent fix is found.
Source: https://qz.com/ram-million-pickups-nhtsa-investigation-2025