2026 Ram Big Horn Owner Says His Heated Seats & Steering Wheel Don’t Get Very Warm, He Adds, “I Even Upgraded From Cloth to Leather, and the Dealer Hasn’t Been Any Help”

He paid for the leather upgrade to stay warm, but now he’s getting the cold shoulder from both his truck and the Ram dealer.

Imagine finally driving home your dream 2026 Ram 1500 Big Horn, complete with a Granite Crystal finish and a custom leather interior, only to find the "luxury" heat features are barely lukewarm during the first frost. After spending thousands on upgrades, you are met with a cold steering wheel and a dealership that essentially tells you to just deal with it. This is exactly the frustrating reality Jon Sepich shared on the 6th Gen Ram 1500's (2024+) Facebook page.

“My second Ram. My first was a 2013 Big Horn. Now I have a 2026 Big Horn, Granite Crystal, Hemi, Level 2 package, Night Edition with some other add-ons. I also upgraded to Katzkin leather seats. I went back and forth between this and the Laramie and the Hemi vs. Hurricane.”

“Now, the heated steering wheel has three level settings, but it doesn’t get very warm on any of the settings. Also, I upgraded from cloth to leather seats; now the seats don’t get as warm. I believe there is a setting in the BCM to adjust the temp? The Ram dealer hasn’t been any help with my problem.”

Why A New 2026 Ram 1500 Is Leaving You Out in the Cold

I’ve seen a lot of "new model year" growing pains. As a Senior Reporter here at Torque News, I can tell you that when an owner like Jon Sepich buys a highly optioned 2026 Ram 1500 Big Horn with the Level 2 equipment group, he expects every single "comfort and convenience" feature to work perfectly. Unfortunately, we are seeing a trend where modern truck tech is increasingly software-driven, and sometimes that software needs a serious wake-up call.

Jon’s situation is unique because he made a common but complex modification: swapping factory cloth for Katzkin leather seats. While Katzkin is an industry leader in aftermarket leather, adding thick hide over heating elements designed for thin cloth can create a thermal barrier. If the heating grid isn't powerful enough to penetrate the leather, you end up with a seat that feels "chilly" instead of "toasty."

I’ve spent three decades analyzing truck interiors, and I can tell you that the Body Control Module (BCM) is the "brain" that dictates how much voltage those heaters get. If the dealer isn't willing to dig into the settings, you’re stuck with a truck that feels broken. This isn't just about comfort; it's about getting the value you paid for. As I recently noted in my report, I Traded My 2022 Ram For This 2025 Ram Laramie, Paid $77K, and 325 Miles In, the AC Is On, Fan Is On Max, and My AC Doesn't Work, Ram really has to do better when it comes to climate control reliability.

Can You "Turn Up" the Heat?

Jon asked a great question about the BCM. In many modern Stellantis vehicles, the heating intensity for the heated steering wheel and seats is indeed controlled by software parameters. Dealers often claim they "can't change it" because of safety regulations (to prevent burns), but there are often Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) or flash updates that recalibrate these modules.

If you are experiencing a 2026 Ram 1500 heated steering wheel that is not working or feels weak, the issue might be a "battery saver mode" glitch. Modern Rams are notorious for shutting down high-draw items like heaters if the computer senses the battery isn't at 100% capacity. It’s a protective move that often leaves owners freezing. We’ve seen similar issues where electrical bugs cripple a brand-new truck, as I detailed when a 2025 Ram 1500 owner said his truck may be his last Mopar after a lifetime of loyalty.

Katzkin Leather vs. Factory Cloth: The Heat Gap

When you upgrade to leather, you are adding density. Factory leather-equipped trucks (like the Laramie) often use different heating elements than cloth-equipped trucks to account for this. By putting leather over Big Horn cloth-spec heaters, Jon may have unintentionally "insulated" the warmth.

The fix? 

Some owners use a tool like AlfaOBD to manually adjust the BCM temperature thresholds. However, I always recommend a "dealer first" approach for a 2026 model to keep that warranty intact. If one dealer is unhelpful, find another. Your Ram warranty coverage for heated seats should include diagnostic time to ensure the elements are reaching the specified temperature range.

You also have to consider how these mods affect resale and long-term enjoyment. As I discussed in my guide on Ram 1500 wheels and why some owners refuse to lift their trucks again, making the right modifications is a balancing act between aesthetics and mechanical reliability.

Key Takeaways

• Check the Voltage: Weak heat often stems from the BCM limiting power due to low battery voltage or "Battery Saver Mode."
• Software Updates: Ask your dealer specifically for any TSBs related to the Comfort Control Module.
• Leather Barriers: Aftermarket leather is thicker than cloth; it may take 5 to 10 minutes longer to feel the heat compared to your old 2013 Ram.
• Alternative Tools: For the tech-savvy, tools like AlfaOBD can sometimes reveal hidden temperature settings, though this should be a last resort.

What Ram Owners Are Saying

Owners on Reddit have been vocal about the "lukewarm" issues in newer 5th and 6th-gen trucks.

One user noted, "The steering wheel heater on my 2025 is barely noticeable compared to my 2018. It feels like they dialed it back to save the leather."

Another frustrated owner on the Ram subreddit shared, "My heated seat turns on and then immediately shuts off. The dealer says they can't replicate it, but it happens every cold morning."

Wrap Up

Jon’s 2026 Ram Big Horn is a beautiful machine, but a luxury truck shouldn't leave you shivering. Whether the issue is a software setting in the BCM or the physical barrier posed by the new leather, it is clear that Ram’s dealer network needs to be more proactive in addressing these "soft" failures. No owner should have to research BCM coding just to stay warm in a truck they spent over $60,000 to own.

It's Your Turn: Are you having trouble with your 2025 or 2026 Ram’s heated seats? Is your dealer helping or giving you the cold shoulder? Let us know in the comments below.

Next Up: A 2019 Ram 1500 owner's gamble backfired into a total financial catastrophe. After skipping the "expensive" warranty to keep monthly payments low, he's now stranded with a dead engine. Read the full story here.

With over 30 years of industry experience, Denis Flierl brings an insider’s perspective to Torque News, where he has been a Senior Reporter since 2012. Before picking up the pen, Denis consulted for the automotive industry's biggest brands and honed his skills as a test driver. He cuts through the noise to deliver the latest auto news, compelling owner stories, and the expert analysis necessary to navigate today's changing automotive market.

Have a tip or question? Follow me on X @DenisFlierl and @WorldsCoolestRides, or connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Jon Sepich