The NHTSA recall 844000 Chrysler models covers Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles with radio software that can stop the rearview camera image from appearing when you shift into reverse. The U.S. filing counts 844,027 vehicles, and about 82,869 more are included in Canada. The repair is a free software update, delivered over the air or installed by a dealer. Stellantis says it knows of no related crashes or injuries.
What is the NHTSA recall 844000 Chrysler models all about?
Picture this. You back out of your driveway on a cold Winnipeg morning, shift into reverse, and the screen stays black. That is the whole problem, and it is why regulators took notice.
Stellantis, the parent company of FCA US, began looking into the issue in May after spotting a possible loss of the camera display. In early August it determined that some vehicles did not meet the federal rule on rear visibility. The cause sits in the radio software rather than the camera itself, so a cracked lens or loose wire is not the culprit. We read through the manufacturer’s statement and several recall summaries, and they agree on one point: the fault lives in the code, not the lens.
Why does the radio matter to a camera? On these vehicles the image appears on the media screen, so the radio software sits between the camera and your eyes. When it misbehaves, the picture may never arrive.
Why does a black screen matter? Rear visibility rules exist to prevent backing crashes, which too often involve small children or pets standing where a driver cannot see them. A camera that quits without warning removes that safety margin at the worst moment.
Which vehicles does the recall include?
The recall reaches 2026 and 2027 model years, though not every unit of each model. The list is long, so we split it by brand.
Jeep models
Jeep vehicles are all 2026 models: Cherokee, Compass, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Grand Cherokee L, Grand Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer L and Wrangler. The Wrangler is the big one, with 170,033 vehicles in the U.S. filing.
Ram models
Ram is the heavyweight here. The 2026 Ram 1500 alone accounts for 211,114 vehicles, the largest single group, followed by 108,804 Ram 2500 pickups. The ProMaster and ProMaster EV vans are included too, and the ProMaster count is 5,539.
Chrysler and Dodge models
The 2026 and 2027 Chrysler Pacifica, plug-in hybrid included, covers 131,681 vehicles, and the Voyager adds 14,077. The Dodge Charger, also 2026 and 2027, counts 16,838. Together with the Jeep and Ram groups, these make up the headline figure of the NHTSA recall 844000 Chrysler models, although your own VIN decides whether you are covered.
How does the recall affect Canadian owners?
About 82,869 Canadian vehicles are included. The Canadian list mirrors the American one, with the Voyager and Grand Caravan names, the Charger for 2026 and 2027, and the same 2026 Jeep and Ram models. The 2027 Pacifica is built in Windsor, Ontario, so this recall lands close to home for plenty of families.
Transport Canada keeps its own recall database, and Canadian-market VINs are checked there rather than in the American system. Whether you live in Calgary, Halifax or somewhere in between, that is your first stop. Did you buy your vehicle across the border? Check both. For context, the NHTSA recall 844000 Chrysler models sits inside a worldwide campaign of about 955,000 vehicles, which also reaches Mexico and a few other markets.
How do you check if your vehicle is part of the recall?
It takes about five minutes Here is the routine.
Find your VIN
Your vehicle identification number sits at the base of the windshield on the driver’s side and on the door jamb sticker. It also appears on your insurance slip. Snap a photo so you are not squinting through a windshield later.
Search the recall database
In Canada, enter the VIN in the Transport Canada recall database. In the United States, use the NHTSA lookup, where VINs for this campaign became searchable before owner letters went out.
Look for the recall code
Stellantis calls this campaign 78D, and the American agency lists it as 26V531. If either code shows as open on your vehicle, you are in. A code marked completed means someone already installed the update. Typing the NHTSA recall 844000 Chrysler models into a search box will not help, because these databases work by VIN, not headline.
How is the rearview camera software fixed?
The fix costs you nothing. Most owners will see a prompt on the media screen when the over-the-air update is ready, and you accept it much like a phone update. Prefer not to wait? A dealer can install it free of charge. Owner letters were also set to start mailing in September, so keep yours, since it carries the recall code and instructions.
Software recalls feel less dramatic than a fire risk or failing brakes, yet they are not trivial. Honestly, the NHTSA recall 844000 Chrysler models shows how much modern safety rides on code. The over-the-air route also means a driver in rural Saskatchewan can get the repair without a long trip to a dealership, which is a real advantage.
Is it safe to drive until the update arrives?
You can keep driving, with extra care. Stellantis advises using your rearview and side mirrors and staying aware of your surroundings when backing up. So look before you climb in, reverse slowly, shoulder-check, and test the camera in a safe spot by shifting into reverse. If the image fails, call a dealer.
One Canadian tip: before you blame the recall, wipe the camera lens. Road salt and snow can blur the image in winter, and that is a different problem from a black screen.
Does an earlier fix count? Not automatically. A 2024 campaign covered rearview camera software on about 405,675 vehicles from older model years, including 2021 to 2023 Pacifica, Compass, Grand Cherokee and Ram models. The two campaigns are separate, so treat the NHTSA recall 844000 Chrysler models as its own case and check your VIN again.
FAQ
Is the Chrysler rearview camera recall free?
Yes. The update costs nothing, whether it arrives over the air or a dealer installs it.
Does the Chrysler recall apply in Canada?
Yes. About 82,869 Canadian vehicles are included, covering the same brands as the U.S. list. Use the Transport Canada database to check your VIN.
Can I still drive my Jeep or Ram with the camera recall?
You can, using mirrors and shoulder checks. Stellantis says it knows of no related crashes or injuries, but please treat a blank screen as a real warning, not an annoyance.
How many vehicles are in the NHTSA recall 844000 Chrysler models?
The U.S. filing counts 844,027 vehicles. Add Canada, Mexico and other markets and the worldwide total reaches about 955,000.
