2025-2026 Jeep/Ram Radio Stays On After Ignition Off

Owners of various 2025-2026 Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler vehicles may notice that their vehicle's radio continues to play even after the ignition is turned off. This behavior, often perceived as a fault, is typically not a defect but rather a configurable system setting. Manufacturer communication S268A000011 addresses this customer concern, clarifying that the condition is usually a result of the "Radio Off Delay" or "Power Accessory Delay" feature.

Symptoms

The primary symptom owners report is that the radio remains ON after the ignition has been turned OFF. This can also occur after opening the driver's door. For example, if your 2025 Jeep Wrangler radio stays on, it might be due to this setting. This behavior can lead vehicle owners or technicians to mistakenly believe there is a fault with the radio unit itself.

Diagnosis and Trigger Conditions

This condition is usually attributed to the vehicle's "Radio Off Delay" or "Power Accessory Delay" feature. This system is designed to allow the radio to remain active for a set duration after the ignition is switched off. Owners may unintentionally adjust this setting, causing the radio to stay on for several minutes longer than desired. It is important to understand that this is a normal system function and not indicative of a hardware defect.

Important Warnings

This manufacturer communication, identified as S268A000011, explicitly states that if the radio turns off after the recommended setting adjustment, it is considered normal operation. In such cases, technicians are advised to Do NOT replace radio. Instead, the customer should be educated about this feature. The document also notes that it does not authorize warranty repairs and serves as a record of past experiences, not a definitive conclusion about vehicle issues.

Repair Procedure Summary

Addressing the "Radio Remains On After Ignition Off" symptom primarily involves checking and adjusting the vehicle's infotainment system settings. The following steps outline the procedure:

1. Access Vehicle Settings: Navigate to the main menu of your vehicle's infotainment system and select "Vehicle."
2. Select Settings: From the "Vehicle" menu, choose "Settings."
3. Locate Key Off Options: Browse through the settings to find "Key Off Options." On some radio systems, this option might be located under "Audio" or "Auto Play" settings.
4. Identify Relevant Settings: Within "Key Off Options," locate the settings for "Radio Off Delay" and "Radio Off with Door."
5. Adjust "Radio Off Delay": Check the current setting for "Radio Off Delay." If it is set to anything greater than 0 seconds, adjust it to 0 seconds. This will ensure the radio turns off immediately upon ignition off.
6. Enable "Radio Off with Door": If available, ensure the "Radio Off with Door" option is enabled. This feature ensures the radio turns off when the driver's door is opened.
7. Verify Adjustment: After making these changes, cycle the ignition (turn it off and then on) and open the driver's door. Verify that the radio now turns OFF immediately as expected.

If, after these adjustments, the radio still remains ON with a 0-second delay and the door open, further standard diagnostics may be required. However, for most cases where a 2025 Jeep Wrangler radio stays on, these steps will resolve the issue.

Owner Action

If you are experiencing the "Radio Remains On After Ignition Off" symptom in your 2025-2026 Jeep, Ram, or Chrysler vehicle, you should first attempt to adjust the settings as described above. This is a simple procedure that can be done without a dealer visit. If the issue persists after adjusting the "Radio Off Delay" and "Radio Off with Door" settings, it is recommended to contact your dealership for further diagnosis. Remember, this is often a configurable feature, not a fault requiring hardware replacement.

NHTSA ID: 11030437