2026 Ram 2500 maintenance schedule

The 2026 2500 is part of the 5th Gen (DJ/D2) (2019-2026). Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2026 2500 needs, and when

All 12 of these items come from Ram's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to Ram's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter

15,000 miles for 6.7L Cummins Diesel or 6 months.

10,000 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Engine air filter

15,000 miles for Cummins Diesel.

30,000 mi / 3 yearsManufacturer
Cabin air filter

Replace more frequently in dusty conditions.

20,000 mi / 2 yearsManufacturer
Tire rotation

Rotate at first sign of irregular wear.

10,000 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Brake fluid

Mileage intervals do not apply.

2 yearsManufacturer
Engine coolant

Flush and replace at 10 years or 150,000 miles.

150,000 mi / 10 yearsManufacturer
Transmission fluid

60,000 miles for severe duty (police, taxi, towing).

120,000 mi / 12 yearsManufacturer
Spark plugs (6.4L)

Mileage-based only; yearly intervals do not apply.

100,000 miManufacturer
Serpentine belt

Inspect accessory drive belt tensioner and pulley at 100k.

150,000 mi / 15 yearsManufacturer
Differential and transfer case fluid (4x4)

30,000 miles for severe duty or frequent towing.

60,000 mi / 6 yearsManufacturer
PCV valve (6.4L)

Inspect and replace if necessary.

100,000 mi / 10 yearsManufacturer
12V battery

Inspect at every oil change.

Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Engine oil
0W-40 (6.4L) / 5W-40 or 15W-40 (6.7L)
Coolant
Mopar OAT 10-Year/150k
Transmission fluid
ZF 8-Speed ATF / ATF+4 (68RFE)

Powertrains in this generation

  • 6.4L 8-cyl (ESB), 410 hp, 8-Speed Automatic, RWD/4x4
  • 6.7L 6-cyl diesel (ETL / ETM), 370 hp, 6-Speed Automatic, RWD/4x4

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA recalls for the 2026 Ram 2500

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Ram dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Electronic stability control (ESC)

NHTSA 26V651000

October 2026

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 2500 Pickup trucks. The trucks may be equipped with steering column control modules that can cause a loss of electronic stability control. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 24, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 90D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 13, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 26V244.

Back over prevention

NHTSA 26V531000

August 2026

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Compass, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Jeep Grand Wagoneer L, Ram Promaster, Ram Promaster EV, Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid, Chrysler Voyager, and 2026-2027 Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Charger vehicles. The rearview camera image may fail to display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy: Radio software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning September 2, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 78D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 20, 2026.

Power train

NHTSA 26V288000

May 2026

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2023-2026 Ram 2500 Pick up trucks. A software error in the powertrain control module may improperly allow the vehicle speed to exceed the tire speed rating, which can result in a loss of vehicle control.

Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 43D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.

Electronic stability control (ESC)

NHTSA 26V244000

April 2026

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 2500 Pickup trucks. The trucks may be equipped with steering column control modules that can cause a loss of electronic stability control. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 7, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 36D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 23, 2026.

Electrical system

NHTSA 26V225000

April 2026

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel display to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards numbers 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence," 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems," 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment," 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems for Light Vehicles," 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems," 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System," and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 35D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 16, 2026.

Electrical system

NHTSA 26V059000

February 2026

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, Ram 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Due to an improperly designed trailer tow module, the trailer lights may fail to illuminate and the trailer brakes may fail.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the trailer tow module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 17, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 10, 2026.

Electrical system

NHTSA 25V826000

December 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 instrument panel cluster display to be blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems," 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems," and 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect."

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 December 18, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are B4C and B8C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 4, 2025.

Service brakes

NHTSA 25V530000

August 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, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."

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 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 79C.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$936

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other 2500 model years

5th Gen (DJ/D2) (2019-2026)

4th Gen (DJ) (2014-2018)

Shopping new? The Ram 2500 guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-21. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running a 2500 for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2026 2500 earns before you buy it.

Free to start. No card, and we never sell your details to a dealer.