NHTSA Complaint #11712865 — 2026 RAM 1500

I purchased this truck in November 2025. While in the service department for an unrelated repair (software update), a body panel defect was noticed and reported to me. The “uniside” panel on the driver side of the truck there is a split in the metal that should have never made it through the factory or especially to the dealership for a customer to purchase. This is a safety concern because the metal structure of the vehicle is compromised or could split further while driving down the road. I am working with my dealer to come to a resolution that involves replacing the vehicle, but we are still in that process so I am unsure of the outcome at this point. It is 100% a factory defect that should have never made it through production. Part of the process that they are having me go through in involves getting an estimate from a collision center. The collision center stated, and I have this in writing, that the repair can be made, but there will be absolutely no warranty because of the stress that possibly caused this split could lead to other problems down the road.