For many Australians, particularly those who've invested in a capable work ute like the Ram 1500 diesel, the last thing you expect is for your vehicle to suddenly lose power while you're driving down the highway.
The recall affects a total of 423 examples of the Ram 1500 diesel built between 2017 and 2019, although some may have been sold at a later date.
Yet that's exactly what 423 owners of 2017-2019 Ram 1500 diesel vehicles across Australia are being warned about in a new recall notice.
American Special Vehicles, the company that imports Ram trucks to Australia, has issued a recall citing a software issue with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) where the signal from the crankshaft position sensor may fail.
According to the recall notice, 'As a result, the vehicle may experience a loss of motive power whilst driving and an inability to restart the engine.'
The result? Your ute could lose all power while driving and refuse to restart—a scenario that's both dangerous and deeply inconvenient.
A full list of vehicle identification numbers (VINs) for affected vehicles has been published on the Department of Infrastructure’s website, and owners can check whether their ute is impacted using that database.
What's actually going wrong under the bonnet
The problem centres around something called a crankshaft position sensor, which is essentially your engine's timing coordinator.
The magnetic material attached to the tone wheel provides a signal to the crankshaft position sensor, and if this signal material is lost, the engine loses its ability to synchronise injector pulses and cam timing.
Think of it like a conductor losing their baton mid-symphony—without proper timing signals, the engine simply can't keep running. This loss of crankshaft position can result in an engine stall, as well as loss of the ability to restart the engine.
'Due to a software issue with the Powertrain Control Module, the signal from the crankshaft position sensor may fail'
When Ram owners experienced the problem firsthand
Owner experiences from similar recalls overseas paint a concerning picture. One Ram diesel owner described their experience: 'So I had my cruise on 100 km/hr and it dropped out and service light came on. I read the code and it was P0336 loss of Crankshaft position'.
Another owner reported 'Truck lost power up hill while going over 50 mph and then started stalling and would not restart'. These aren't isolated incidents—similar sensor failures have prompted multiple recalls across different model years, with manufacturers reporting over 1,020 warranty claims related to this issue.
Warning signs to watch for
If you own a 2017-2019 Ram 1500 diesel, be alert for these symptoms:
• Sudden loss of power while driving
• Engine warning lights appearing
• Difficulty restarting after the engine cuts out
• Vehicle entering 'limp mode' with reduced power
• Error code P0336 if you have an OBD scanner
The safety concerns you need to know
While manufacturers report they were not aware of any crashes or injuries associated with this problem, the potential for danger is clear. Imagine losing all power while merging onto a busy motorway, navigating a roundabout, or climbing a steep hill with a caravan attached.
The previous-generation DS-series Ram 1500 pickup fitted with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel has been recalled due to a potential loss of power which could see the vehicle stall.
For older drivers who may rely on their vehicle's consistent performance for medical appointments, family visits, or emergency situations, this type of unpredictable failure is particularly concerning.
According to Ram Trucks Australia, affected owners are being contacted directly and asked to visit their dealer for inspection and a software update.
What Ram Australia is doing about it
The good news is that American Special Vehicles, trading as Ram Trucks Australia, is taking responsibility. They've committed to contacting all 423 affected vehicle owners directly to arrange free repairs.
The fix involves having your local dealer inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, reprogram the Powertrain Control Module at no charge.
Owners can contact Ram Trucks Australia directly on 1300 681 655 or locate their nearest dealership through the Ram website to confirm their vehicle’s recall status.
All repairs are covered under the recall, and in some cases overseas, owners have been provided with rental vehicles while repairs are completed, though FCA has specified rental must be a Chrysler product.
Drive’s report also notes that the recall was formally published on 22 October 2025, with the Department of Infrastructure listing contact details, recall date, and VIN lookup information for transparency.
What affected owners should do immediately
- Don't panic, but don't ignore the recall notice
- Contact Ram Trucks Australia on 1300 681 655
- Schedule an inspection at your nearest dealership
- If you experience symptoms, avoid highway driving where possible
- Keep the recall notice handy for warranty purposes
Your rights as an Australian consumer
Under Australian Consumer Law, manufacturers have clear obligations when safety recalls are issued. Vehicle recalls must be conducted free of charge, and manufacturers must provide reasonable access to repairs. If you're experiencing ongoing issues after a recall repair, you may be entitled to additional remedies under your consumer guarantee rights.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) maintains that consumers shouldn't have to pay for recall-related repairs, and if you've already paid for similar repairs before the recall was announced, you may be entitled to reimbursement.
A pattern worth noting
This Ram 1500 diesel recall isn't happening in isolation. In June 2023, Fiat Chrysler announced a recall affecting over 114,000 vehicles, specifically Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 models, both equipped with 3-liter diesel engines, with crankshaft position sensor tone wheels at risk of delamination.
The pattern suggests this is a known issue with the 3.0-litre diesel engine across multiple model years and markets, making it all the more important that Australian owners take the recall seriously and get their vehicles inspected promptly.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Vehicle recalls are actually a sign that safety systems are working. In Australia, manufacturers are legally required to report potential safety defects to the ACCC, even if no accidents have occurred. This proactive approach helps prevent problems before they become serious safety issues.
Finding your nearest dealer
Ram Trucks Australia operates through a network of authorised dealers across the country. If you own one of the affected vehicles, you can find your closest dealership through the Ram Trucks Australia website or by calling their customer service line directly.
Don't put off this recall—while the software fix might seem minor, the potential consequences of a stalled engine are anything but. Your safety, and that of other road users, is worth the brief inconvenience of a dealership visit.
Have you received a recall notice for your Ram 1500 diesel, or have you experienced any of these stalling symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below—your story could help other owners recognise the warning signs.
Primary Source
https://www.drive.com.au/news/2017-2019-ram-1500-diesel-recalled-in-australia-over-stall-risk/
Ram 1500 recalled | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT
Cited text: ... 'Due to a software issue with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the signal from the crankshaft position sensor may fail.
Excerpt: a software issue with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) where the signal from the crankshaft position sensor may fail
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9096179/ram-1500-recalled/
W68—Loss of Crankshaft Position | RAM 1500 Diesel Forum
Cited text: The magnetic material attached to the tone wheel on your vehicle provides a signal to the crankshaft position sensor. If this signal material is lost,...
Excerpt: The magnetic material attached to the tone wheel provides a signal to the crankshaft position sensor, and if this signal material is lost, the engine loses its ability to synchronise injector pulses and cam timing
https://www.ram1500diesel.com/threads/w68-loss-of-crankshaft-position.71133/
W68—Loss of Crankshaft Position | RAM 1500 Diesel Forum
Cited text: This loss of crankshaft position can result in an engine stall, as well as loss of the ability to restart the engine.
Excerpt: This loss of crankshaft position can result in an engine stall, as well as loss of the ability to restart the engine
https://www.ram1500diesel.com/threads/w68-loss-of-crankshaft-position.71133/
Safety Recall 66A Loss of crank shaft position | EcoDieselRam.com—EcoDiesel Ram 1500 Truck Community
Cited text: So I had my cruise on 100 km/hr and it dropped out and servuce light came on. i read the code and it was P0336 loss of Crankshaft position.
Excerpt: 'So I had my cruise on 100 km/hr and it dropped out and service light came on. I read the code and it was P0336 loss of Crankshaft position'
https://www.ecodieselram.com/forum/threads/safety-recall-66a-loss-of-crank-shaft-position.6497/
Reading Cranshaft Position Sensor | RAM 1500 Diesel Forum
Cited text: Truck lost power up hill while going over 50 mph and then started stalling and would not restart, took to the dealer, they replaced the HPFP and the e...
Excerpt: 'Truck lost power up hill while going over 50 mph and then started stalling and would not restart'
https://www.ram1500diesel.com/threads/reading-cranshaft-position-sensor.75565/
2024 Ecodiesel Recall Update: Is Your RAM or Jeep Affected? - The Lemon Law Experts
Cited text: In their report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), FCA disclosed that there had been 1,020 warranty claims related to this...
Excerpt: over 1,020 warranty claims related to this issue
https://lemonlawexperts.com/fca-ecodiesel-recall/
2024 Ecodiesel Recall Update: Is Your RAM or Jeep Affected? - The Lemon Law Experts
Cited text: They stated, however, that they were not aware of any crashes or injuries associated with this problem.
Excerpt: manufacturers report they were not aware of any crashes or injuries associated with this problem
https://lemonlawexperts.com/fca-ecodiesel-recall/
Ram 1500 recalled | St George & Sutherland Shire Leader | St George, NSW
Cited text: The previous-generation DS-series Ram 1500 pickup fitted with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel has been recalled due to a potential loss of power which could ...
Excerpt: The previous-generation DS-series Ram 1500 pickup fitted with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel has been recalled due to a potential loss of power which could see the vehicle stall
https://www.theleader.com.au/story/9096179/ram-1500-recalled/
Safety Recall 66A Loss of crank shaft position | EcoDieselRam.com—EcoDiesel Ram 1500 Truck Community
Cited text: All covered under the recall by FCA. I had to pay for a Ram 1500 rental upfront but FCA will reimburse upon my submission of expense to them but They ...
Excerpt: All repairs are covered under the recall, and in some cases overseas, owners have been provided with rental vehicles while repairs are completed, though FCA has specified rental must be a Chrysler product
https://www.ecodieselram.com/forum/threads/safety-recall-66a-loss-of-crank-shaft-position.6497/
2024 Ecodiesel Recall Update: Is Your RAM or Jeep Affected? - The Lemon Law Experts
Cited text: On June 20, 2023, Fiat Chrysler (FCA) announced a recall affecting over 114,000 vehicles, specifically Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 models, both e...
Excerpt: In June 2023, Fiat Chrysler announced a recall affecting over 114,000 vehicles, specifically Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 models, both equipped with 3-liter diesel engines, with crankshaft position sensor tone wheels at risk of…
https://lemonlawexperts.com/fca-ecodiesel-recall/
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