Owners of 2025 Ram 1500 trucks equipped with the new 3.0-liter Hurricane engine are reporting serious problems including engine stalling, sudden loss of power, hesitation, electrical failures, and problems with braking and other vehicle systems.
Now, a new federal class action lawsuit alleges that these problems result from a defect involving the Ram 1500’s engine and powertrain control systems.
The lawsuit, Norberg v. FCA U.S. LLC, Case No. 2:26-cv-13040-JEL-APP, was filed against FCA on August 25, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
According to the complaint, the affected vehicles are model year 2025 Ram 1500 trucks equipped with the 3.0L Hurricane engine. The plaintiffs allege a defect involving the Engine Control Module, Powertrain Control Module, associated sensors, and related software programming and calibration.
The alleged problems include:
- Check engine lights and repeated diagnostic trouble codes
- Engine misfires and rough running
- Hesitation when accelerating
- Sudden loss of engine power
- Vehicles entering “limp mode”
- Engine shutdown or stalling while driving
- Electrical system failures
- Loss of power steering or braking assistance in some reported incidents
- Repeated dealer repair attempts that fail to permanently fix the problem
The lawsuit alleges that some owners have experienced these failures at highway speeds and that the problems can occur when the trucks have relatively low mileage.
California Ram 1500 Owners May Have Lemon Law Rights
If your 2025 Ram 1500 has stalled, lost power, hesitated, experienced repeated check-engine warnings, or required repeated dealer repairs, you may have rights under the California Lemon Law.
California owners do not necessarily have to wait for the federal class action to determine whether they have an individual claim.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR RAM 1500Ram 1500 Owners Report Vehicles Stalling in Traffic
Some of the incidents described in the lawsuit raise concerns that go well beyond an annoying check-engine light.
The complaint reproduces numerous consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration involving 2025 Ram 1500 trucks.
One Texas owner reportedly complained that the truck would shut off while driving on the freeway, creating the risk of a rear-end collision.
A California owner reported that a 2025 Ram 1500 suddenly stalled at approximately 60 mph on a dark rural road. According to the NHTSA complaint reproduced in the lawsuit, the truck then lost all electrical power, including its headlights, and eventually shifted itself into Park while the vehicle was still moving.
Another owner reported losing power steering and brakes while driving at approximately 40 mph. The driver stated that the vehicle nearly crashed while attempting to reach a parking lot.
Another report describes a truck suffering a total electronic and engine shutdown while the driver was turning through an intersection. Several other vehicles reportedly had to brake suddenly to avoid a collision.
In another particularly concerning report, a New York owner described a total brake and electrical system failure while traveling at approximately 65 mph. According to the complaint, the driver had to maneuver the truck back and forth across the roadway for approximately a mile before reaching an area where the vehicle could be stopped.
These reports do not establish that every incident resulted from the same defect alleged in the lawsuit. They do, however, demonstrate why unexpected stalling, loss of propulsion, or loss of vehicle control can create a serious safety risk.
What Does the 2025 Ram 1500 Class Action Lawsuit Allege?
The lawsuit was filed by two owners, one from Wisconsin and one from Florida, on behalf of a proposed nationwide class of people who purchased or leased affected vehicles.
The plaintiffs allege that FCA knew or should have known about the problem through sources including:
- Pre-production testing and validation
- Warranty claims
- Dealer service records
- Diagnostic trouble-code data
- Customer complaints
- Internal quality-control systems
The lawsuit alleges that FCA nevertheless continued selling the trucks without adequately informing consumers about the alleged defect.
Importantly, the Norberg case is presently a consumer class action involving economic losses. It is not a personal injury lawsuit.
The plaintiffs seek compensation and other relief for alleged losses such as overpayment for the trucks, diminished vehicle value, repair expenses, and other economic damages.
The allegations have not yet been proven. The court has not determined that FCA is liable, that every 2025 Ram 1500 contains the alleged defect, or that the lawsuit should proceed as a class action.
California Lemon Law Claims for 2025 Ram 1500 Owners
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, commonly known as the California Lemon Law, provides important protections when a manufacturer cannot repair a vehicle covered by warranty after a reasonable number of repair opportunities.
A recurring defect involving engine stalling, loss of acceleration, braking problems, electrical failures, or sudden engine shutdown may be particularly significant because California lemon law claims can involve defects that substantially impair a vehicle’s use, value, or safety.
Whether a particular 2025 Ram 1500 qualifies as a lemon depends on the individual circumstances and repair history.
Potentially important factors include:
- How many times the truck has been taken to an authorized Ram dealer
- Whether the same problem continues after attempted repairs
- How long the vehicle has been unavailable because of repairs
- Whether FCA or the dealership has indicated that no permanent repair is currently available
- Whether the problem affects the truck’s safety or ability to be driven normally
- Whether the problems and repair attempts occurred while the truck was covered by the manufacturer’s warranty
Keep Every Ram Dealer Repair Order
Owners experiencing these problems should keep copies of every repair order, even when the dealer says it cannot duplicate the problem or performs no repair.
Repeated repair orders documenting complaints such as “vehicle stalls while driving,” “loss of power,” “hesitation during acceleration,” or “check engine light” can become important evidence of the vehicle’s repair history.
If the problem occurs while driving, owners should also consider safely photographing or recording warning messages displayed on the instrument panel when circumstances permit.
What If a Ram 1500 Stall or Power Loss Caused an Accident?
There is another potential claim that is different from both the class action and a California lemon law claim.
If a defective Ram 1500 suddenly stalled, lost acceleration, lost braking or steering assistance, or otherwise malfunctioned and caused an accident or physical injury, an injured driver or passenger may potentially have an individual product liability claim against the manufacturer or other responsible parties.
California product liability law can permit an injured consumer to pursue a manufacturer when a defective product was a substantial factor in causing the person’s injuries.
Depending upon the circumstances, damages in a personal injury case can include compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Future medical care
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Other losses resulting from the accident
This distinction can be important. A consumer class action primarily addressing the diminished value of thousands of vehicles is fundamentally different from an individual product liability case involving serious physical injuries.
Has the Alleged Ram 1500 Hurricane Defect Caused Injuries?
The new Norberg class action does not allege that either named plaintiff suffered a physical injury.
LegalScoops reviewed publicly available information concerning the alleged 2025 Ram 1500 stalling and loss-of-power problem. We found numerous reports describing dangerous incidents and near collisions, but we have not presently identified a publicly filed personal injury lawsuit specifically alleging that the Hurricane engine control defect described in the Norberg complaint caused bodily injuries.
That does not mean such an accident has not occurred.
Vehicle accidents are not always immediately connected to an underlying mechanical, electrical, or software defect. A driver involved in a collision may know only that the truck suddenly stopped accelerating, shut down, dramatically slowed, or became difficult to control immediately before impact.
That is one reason accidents involving these symptoms may warrant further investigation.
Signs a Ram 1500 Accident May Have Involved the Alleged Defect
A potential vehicle defect may warrant investigation if, immediately before an accident, a 2025 Ram 1500:
- Suddenly stalled or shut off
- Would not accelerate when the gas pedal was pressed
- Entered limp mode without warning
- Suddenly lost significant engine power
- Began misfiring or violently hesitating
- Displayed multiple warning lights
- Lost power steering assistance
- Experienced braking problems
- Shifted unexpectedly into Park or another gear
- Experienced a sudden electrical system shutdown
Repair records from before an accident can be particularly important if they document previous incidents involving the same symptoms.
Preserve the Ram 1500 After a Suspected Defect-Related Accident
If a serious accident may have been caused by a vehicle defect, preservation of the truck can be extremely important.
Owners should avoid allowing the truck, engine, electronic control modules, or other potentially relevant components to be destroyed or disposed of before the cause of the failure has been appropriately investigated.
Modern vehicles contain electronic data that may help investigators determine what occurred immediately before a collision. A physical inspection may also reveal evidence that could be lost if the vehicle is repaired, dismantled, or destroyed.
This issue can arise quickly when an insurance company declares a vehicle a total loss. The insurer may eventually sell or dispose of the salvage. If there is reason to believe a vehicle defect caused a serious accident, legal counsel should be consulted promptly regarding preservation of the vehicle and other evidence.
What Should California Ram 1500 Owners Do?
If you have experienced these problems, begin by gathering and preserving your records.
Important documents and evidence can include:
- Purchase or lease agreement
- Warranty documents
- Every dealer repair order
- Towing records and receipts
- Photographs or videos of dashboard warnings
- Communications with FCA or the dealership
- Texts or emails discussing the problem
- Accident photographs and reports, if applicable
When taking the truck to a dealership, describe the symptoms as accurately as possible and confirm that the complaint is reflected on the repair order.
A repair order stating that the “vehicle stalls while driving” or “vehicle loses power during acceleration” may be considerably more useful than a generic notation stating only “check engine light.”
California 2025 Ram 1500 Lemon Law and Injury Investigation
LegalScoops is investigating reports from California owners and lessees of 2025 Ram 1500 trucks equipped with the 3.0L Hurricane engine.
We are particularly interested in hearing from California residents whose trucks have:
- Stalled or shut down while driving
- Lost engine power or failed to accelerate
- Repeatedly entered limp mode
- Experienced recurring engine misfires or check-engine lights
- Required multiple unsuccessful dealer repairs
- Been out of service for extended periods
- Experienced braking, steering, or electrical failures
- Been involved in an accident following a sudden malfunction
California owners experiencing repeated problems may have rights under the California Lemon Law.
Drivers or passengers injured in an accident potentially caused by sudden stalling, loss of propulsion, braking problems, or another defect may have separate rights under California product liability law.
If you experienced any of these problems, complete the form below. There is no charge to have your situation reviewed.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR RAM 1500Frequently Asked Questions About 2025 Ram 1500 Problems
Does the lawsuit mean my 2025 Ram 1500 is automatically a lemon?
No. The lawsuit alleges that affected trucks share a common defect, but an individual California lemon law claim depends on the circumstances of the particular vehicle, including its warranty and repair history.
Do I have to wait for the Ram 1500 class action?
Not necessarily. California consumers may have individual rights under California law that are separate from the claims being asserted in the proposed federal class action.
How many repair attempts are required under the California Lemon Law?
There is no single number that determines every California lemon law case. Whether a manufacturer has been given a reasonable opportunity to repair a vehicle depends on the circumstances, including the nature and seriousness of the defect, the number of repair attempts, and the amount of time the vehicle has been unavailable for use.
What if the Ram dealer says it cannot duplicate the problem?
Keep the repair order. A repair visit can still be important even if the dealership cannot reproduce the failure. The repair order should accurately document what you reported to the dealer.
What if my Ram 1500 stalled but I was not injured?
You may still have potential rights under the California Lemon Law or applicable warranty laws depending on your repair history and the circumstances of the vehicle.
What if my Ram 1500 stalled and caused an accident?
An accident potentially caused by sudden stalling, loss of acceleration, braking problems, or another vehicle malfunction should be evaluated separately from an ordinary lemon law claim. If someone suffered physical injuries, there may also be an individual product liability claim.
Should I keep my truck if it was involved in an accident?
If you believe a vehicle defect may have caused a serious accident, preservation of the vehicle can be important. Before allowing a totaled vehicle to be sold, dismantled, repaired, or destroyed, consider obtaining legal advice concerning preservation and inspection of the truck.
Tell Us About Your 2025 Ram 1500
If you own or lease a 2025 Ram 1500 in California and have experienced repeated engine, powertrain, braking, or electrical problems, we would like to hear from you.
We are also investigating accidents in which a 2025 Ram 1500 stalled, lost power, failed to accelerate, or otherwise malfunctioned immediately before a collision.
Complete the form below to tell us what happened.
Important: This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.
