Stellantis recalls RAM vans with unsecured child car seats

Stellantis recalls RAM vans with unsecured child car seats

October 2, 2021 Rebecca Rand , ,

Auburn Hills, MI – October 2, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns Fiat Chrysler and the RAM brand, has recalled 8,379 RAM cargo vans whose seat belts may fail to securely hold children’s car seats and increase the risk of an injury to the child in the event of a crash.

Although it is known as a cargo van, some RAM ProMaster vans have rear seats where children are most  likely to be situated.

 This recall is part of a series of ongoing recalls and includes:

  • 2021 RAM ProMaster cargo vans
  • 2021 RAM ProMaster City cargo vans

The faulty component in this recall is the Seat Belt Assembly with multiple part numbers, including 5PC00LK3AB and 1ZS83JXWAB.

Recall summary  

There are two ways to secure a child car seat in a vehicle, using the regular seat belt or the so-called lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system.

The former comes with two retractors, which are things used to hold it in place – the emergency locking retractor (ELR) and the automatic locking retractor (ALR). The ELR only locks in if there is an accident, while the ALR locks in as soon as the belt is unspooled and buckled.  This makes it ideal for securing child seats to prevent them from moving around.

Due to faulty parts provided by Swedish-American supplier Autoliv, the ALR may malfunction and allow the seat belt to move around.

Background of the recall

Before the recall was issued Autoliv recommended that car companies petition government safety regulators to consider the safety risk “inconsequential” and release the companies and Autoliv from responsibility to repair and replace the defective seat belts. The petition was not granted and the recall is moving forward but it could have delayed the recall for a long time, as was the case for the December General Motors’ Takata recall, as reported.

Recall risks

Faulty seat belts posed “an increased risk of injury” to children in car seats secured with the seat belt, according to Autoliv.

Safety tips

The defect would not affect car seats secured using anchors and tethers using the LATCH system. You can read more about  which car seats use the LATCH  system in this article.

Fiat Chrysler recalls

There were two Fiat Chrysler recalls last month. Over 200,000 RAM trucks were recalled due to faulty airbag inflators which may rupture and maim the vehicle occupants. Later in the month, over 14,000 Jeep Wranglers were recalled because of a potential fuel leak, as reported.

The repair

Starting October 29, 2021, Stellantis will notify owners, instructing them  to take their vans to an approved RAM repair shop. Workers will inspect the seat belt assemblies and replace them, if needed. The inspection and repair are free.

Other recalls

This recall is just one in a series of recalls by manufacturers who used Autoliv seat belts in their vehicles. The other affected manufacturers are:

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 8,000 vehicles are included in this Chrysler recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandStellantis recalls RAM vans with unsecured child car seats
Stellantis recalls Ram trucks with faulty airbag inflators

Stellantis recalls Ram trucks with faulty airbag inflators

September 17, 2021 Rebecca Rand , ,

Auburn Hills, MI – September 17, 2021 – Fiat Chrysler, owned by Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), has recalled 212,373 Ram pickup trucks with potentially faulty side-curtain airbag inflators that may rupture and injure vehicle occupants. The recall includes:

  • 2015 -2020 Ram 1500 trucks
  • 2015-2016 Ram 2500 trucks
  • 2015-2016 Ram 3500 trucks

The affected component is the Side Airbag Inflatable Curtain with multiple part numbers, including 68161578AJ.  The airbags were made by Takata’s successor, Joyson Safety Systems.

Recall summary  

As reported, the side-curtain airbags – also known as roof rail airbags – deploy over the windows to drivers’ and passengers’ heads during a crash. The inflators inside them release gas to inflate the airbags quickly.

Due to a manufacturing mistake, moisture got inside some airbag inflators, which could corrode the casing from the inside. The casing could rupture, releasing compressed gas and inflator pieces into the vehicle at high speeds.

Fiat Chrysler is aware of one report of inflator rupture in a 2015 Ram 1500. The automaker expects that 22 percent of trucks in this recall have defective inflators. 

Risks

Read more about the risks of corroded inflator rupture in this recent article about a recall of 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks with corroded Joyson inflators.

Takata airbag recalls

Millions of older cars have been recalled because of faulty airbag inflators that may explode when the airbag is being inflated and hurl sharp metal components at the driver or the passengers. You can read more about these ongoing recalls here.

This recall is not part of the Takata airbag recall, however, because it involves a different type of inflators, according to recall documents.

The repair

Ram dealers will inspect and replace one or both side curtain airbags  as needed. Owner notifications will be sent out starting October 1, 2021. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 212,000 vehicles are included in this Fiat Chrysler airbag recall. To see if your Ram truck is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandStellantis recalls Ram trucks with faulty airbag inflators
Stellantis recalls multiple RAM truck models over engine fire risk

Stellantis recalls multiple RAM truck models over engine fire risk

August 7, 2021 Vishal Venugopal

Auburn Hills, MI – August 7, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), the parent company of the Ram brand, has issued a recall for 32,002 Ram trucks over an oil level monitoring issue that could result in an engine fire. The affected models include:

  • 2019 – 2020 Ram 3500
  • 2019 – 2020 Ram 4500
  • 2019 – 2020 Ram 5500

The Chrysler recall affects Ram trucks with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine with multiple part numbers. 

Recall summary

Because of a software issue, drivers may not be warned of low engine oil levels. This can result in oil levels falling below an acceptable level, “deteriorating” important mechanical parts called bearings and increasing the risk of a punctured engine block or an oil leak, both of which can result in a fire.

Risks

Fires are very dangerous. For more information, please see a recent article on a Kia Optima and Kia Sorento recall caused by fire risk.

Warning signs

The manufacturer says that before the engine catches fire, the driver may hear an unusual noise from the engine. As reported, there are some additional warning signs, including:

  • Tire pressure, ABS or the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) warning lights come on
  • A burning or melting odor
  • Smoke from under the hood

Fire safety tips

If you suspect your engine may be on fire, remain calm and follow these steps:

  • Bring your car to a halt
  • Do not open the hood –  oxygen will feed the flames 
  • Get yourself and others away from the vehicle
  • Call the fire department when you are in a secure location

Other Stellantis news

Back in August 2020, the same models were part of a Ram recall over a similar concern, with 32,318 Ram pickups affected.

The company also recently issued a Ram truck recall over a concern that wheels may come off while driving.

The repair

The engine calibration software on the affected vehicles will be updated, free of charge. Owners will be notified by the company by July 30, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 32,000 Ram trucks are part of this recall. As of July 20, 2021, over 6,000 trucks have been repaired. To see if your vehicle still needs to be fixed, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalStellantis recalls multiple RAM truck models over engine fire risk
Stellantis recalls vehicles due to risk of limited visibility

Stellantis recalls vehicles due to risk of limited visibility

July 28, 2021 Mikaela Bolker , ,

Auburn Hills, MI – July 28, 2021  – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) – which makes the Ram and Chrysler brands – has announced a recall for 14,096 vehicles due to the limited visibility from faulty front cameras, which augements the risk of a crash when backing up. The recall includes 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks.

The component in question is a “trailer reverse steering control module,” with a part number of 68423566AE.

Recall summary 

Due to a software error, the rearview camera image in the recalled cars fails to display when backing up.

Risks

A lack of visibility when backing up can increase the risk of an accident, leading to a crash or injury.

Warning signs

The first warning sign is the rear view image not displaying on the software when the vehicle is placed into reverse. The second warning sign is when the Electronic Throttle Control warning indicator illuminates on the instrument panel cluster.

Other Ram recalls

In April 2021, Stellantis Chrysler recalled 19,000 Dodge Ram vehicles over concern the vehicles would catch fire.  For more Chrysler recalls, please check out this page.

At the same time, rearview camera recalls are very common. In May, Daimler recalled more than 340,000 Mercedes-Benz cars because of a similar issue. In March, BMW asked drivers to take in 13,858 cars for repair because of a software glitch that made the cameras prone to malfunctioning when the cars were shifted in reverse.

Repair

Owners are set to be notified via mail starting July 30, 2021. The repair is a software fix that takes about 30 minutes and is provided free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall? 

Over 14,000 vehicles are part of this Chrysler recall and as of July 20, 1,398 of them were already remedied.  To check if your vehicle is part of this Ram 1500 recall, use Motorsafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mikaela BolkerStellantis recalls vehicles due to risk of limited visibility
Stellantis recalls Ram trucks whose wheel may come off

Stellantis recalls Ram trucks whose wheel may come off

June 14, 2021 Sergio Stephano ,

Auburn Hills, MI – June 14, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) – which makes the Ram brand – has issued a recall for 447,985 Ram trucks over a concern that wheels may come off these vehicles while in motion, increasing the risk of an accident.  The recall includes:

  • 2012 – 2021 Ram 3500
  • 2012 – 2021 Ram 3500
  • 2012 – 2021 Ram 4500 
  • 2012 – 2021 Ram 5500 

The affected part is the lug nut with multiple part numbers starting at 06509.

Recall summary

Because of incorrect information provided in the service and owner’s manual, the lug nuts can be tightened excessively. This could break the wheel stud – which is a fastener that “holds on the wheels” – and cause the wheel to come off the car.

Risks

If your vehicle’s wheel were to come off or even become loose, it could translate to a complete loss of control that may turn fatal for the occupants of the car, as well as other motorists.

Complaints

On June 8, 2021, a 2012 Ram 3500 owner from Raceland, Louisiana, reported that 7 out of 8 lug nuts from the right front wheel broke off while driving down the highway. Thankfully, the driver managed to pull onto the shoulder of the road and avoid a serious mishap.

Other Ram recalls

The 2021 Ram 3500, 2021 Ram 4500 and 2021 Ram 5500 were also recently part of a recall to rectify a faulty relay (switch) inside the engine compartment.

The repair

Dealers will inspect the wheel nuts of vehicles and replace them, if necessary, free of charge. They will also update the torque specifications in the owner’s manual. A letter to notify owners is expected to be sent out on July 16, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Nearly half a million trucks are part of this Ram truck recall. To find out  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Sergio StephanoStellantis recalls Ram trucks whose wheel may come off
Stellantis recalls Ram trucks that may catch fire

Stellantis recalls Ram trucks that may catch fire

April 8, 2021 Bojan Popic , ,

Auburn Hills, MI – April 26, 2022  – Chrysler has remedied issues with 12,919 vehicles including the 2021 RAM 2500 that was dealing with electrical issues caused by a short on a relay. Additionally, 193 of these models have been categorized as unreachable and 24 have been removed from the recall. All these 2021 Ram 2500 models with these electrical issues were remedied in three groups during 2021.

Auburn Hills, MI – April 8, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Dodge brand, is recalling 19,214 vehicles with a faulty relay, or a switch, inside the engine compartment that may cause fire. This recall includes the following Ram pickup trucks :

  • 2021 Ram 2500
  • 2021 Ram 3500 
  • 2021 Ram 4500 
  • 2021 Ram 5500

Recall summary  

The recalled cars are equipped with Cummings 6.7L diesel engines that have an electric heater that warms up the air coming into the engine and helps it reach running temperatures faster. The operation of this heater is controlled by a so-called solid state relay, which is an electric switch that turns electrical power on and off. This switch may be defective and can short circuit, which may lead to fire in the engine compartment.  This may occur regardless of whether the ignition is on or off.

The defect is caused by a supplier error.

Risks

A fire can be a serious safety concern if it happens while driving. Potential hazards range from failure to stop and evacuate the vehicle in time to increased risks of collision. In addition, a burning vehicle on the road is a threat to other drivers and their passengers. 

Safety tips

Chrysler does not explicitly say this, but in the case of other recent recalls because of an increased fire risk, manufacturers like Hyundai have recommended to park recalled vehicles outside and away from structures, such as houses and garages.

For tips on what to do if your vehicle catches fire, please read this article about a Hyundai recall.

Other Chrysler recalls

In November, over 19,000 Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 pickup trucks were part of a recall due to the driver-side mirror issue, where the mirror glass detached from the backing plate and no longer showed a reflection of what was behind.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will install a protective barrier around the relay. If it short-circuits, the barrier will act as a thermoresistant capsule, which will contain the spread of heat and prevent the fire. The repairs are free of charge. The recall begins on April 30.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Ram recall includes over 19,000 pickups. To see if your Ram is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicStellantis recalls Ram trucks that may catch fire
Chrysler Ram trucks recalled for driver side mirror issue

Chrysler Ram trucks recalled for driver side mirror issue

November 17, 2020 Rebecca Rand , ,

Pleasanton, CA – November 17, 2020 – Fiat Chrysler (NYSE:FCAU) has recalled 19,075 Ram trucks, due to an issue with the driver side mirror. The mirror glass may detach from the backing plate such that it may no longer show a reflection of what’s behind. The recall includes 2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 1500 luxury heavy-duty pickup trucks.

Recall summary  

The backing plate holds the mirror glass in place. In recalled trucks, the mirror glass was not adhered to the backing plate properly, due to a manufacturing error. This limits the visibility for the driver and may result in a crash.

Recalled trucks fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, “Rear Visibility.” Specifically, the “mirrors must be mounted according to certain specifications, and must provide the driver with a specified minimum field of view.”

Risks 

Side rear view mirrors are critically important for safe driving, particularly if an object is blocking the rear window view. They help drivers enter traffic and safely change lanes. If these mirrors are not functioning properly, the driver may not see other vehicles, pedestrians or physical objects. All of these conditions increase the risk of an accident.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will need to replace the glass in the driver side mirror. The recall begins on November 27 and the repair is free of charge. The estimated repair time is 30 minutes, but plan for additional time for check in and check out.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?Over 19,000 vehicles are included in this Ram truck recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandChrysler Ram trucks recalled for driver side mirror issue
FCA recalls Jeep and RAM vehicles for seat belt malfunction

FCA recalls Jeep and RAM vehicles for seat belt malfunction

October 28, 2020 Rebecca Rand , , ,

Pleasanton, CA – July 27, 2022 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (NYSE: FCAU) has remedied issues with 1.119 vehicles including the 2019-2020 RAM 1500 pickup that was dealing with front seat belt issues. Additionally, 26 of these models have been categorized as unreachable and 16 have been removed from the recall. One group of these 2019-2020 RAM 1500 pickups was remedied in 2020, 4 groups in 2021, and 1 other group was remedied in 2022 due to these seat belt locking issues.

Pleasanton, CA – Sept 25, 2020 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (NYSE: FCAU) has recalled 2,114 SUVs and pickup trucks, and SUVs whose front seat belts may not lock properly during a crash, putting drivers and passengers at risk of injury. The recall includes:

  • 2020 Jeep Gladiator pickups
  • 2019 Jeep Wrangler SUVs
  • 2019-2020 Ram 1500 pickups
  • 2019 RAM 2500 pickups

Recall Summary  

Ever wondered why seatbelts sometimes “lock” up if you yank them too hard? This is a design feature that is meant to make the belt easy to pull over your body and comfortable to move around under but will firmly hold you if you crash. In these recalled Jeeps and Rams, a connection part called the “wave disc” may be misshapen, causing the seatbelt to have a much weaker hold on the driver and front seat passenger.

Chrysler first noticed the problem this July when a seatbelt held the crash dummy less forcefully than it was supposed to during a crash test. A part in the seat belt retractor wasn’t formed correctly, weakening the whole seat belt system.

Chrysler is not aware of any complaints, injuries, or deaths relating to this problem.

Risks

If you’re riding in a pickup truck or SUV and you crash, wearing a functioning seat belt will reduce your risk of injury by at least 60% and your risk of dying by at least 65%. A malfunctioning seat belt may not protect you and could increase your risk of getting hurt.

The repair

Owners will be notified about the recall starting on November 17 and Chrysler will replace the faulty seat belt retractors for free. The repair, however, is not yet available. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 2,000 vehicles are part of this Chrysler recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle identification number look-up tool.

Rebecca RandFCA recalls Jeep and RAM vehicles for seat belt malfunction
RAM recalls pickups for engine fire risk

RAM recalls pickups for engine fire risk

October 7, 2020 Rebecca Rand , ,

Pleasanton, CA – Aug 28, 2020 – Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) (NYSE: FCAU)  has recalled 32,318 Ram pickups for an engine oiling issue. The recall includes:

  • 2019-2020 Ram 3500 heavy duty trucks
  • 2019-2020 Ram 4500 commercial trucks
  • 2019-2020 Ram 5500 commercial trucks

Recall summary  

The vehicles in questions are equipped with 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engines. A software problem can starve engine parts of oil as the car warms up. This could damage the engine and the related parts and cause a fire.

Risks

Car fires kill over 300 people a year on average and injure over a thousand, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Their report blames at least 20% of vehicle fires between 2009 and 2017 on equipment failures.

FCA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have not received any reports of injuries or deaths resulting from the Ram software problem. 

Fire safety tips

If you suspect your engine is on fire:

  • Stop your car someplace safe. 
  • Do not open the hood. Oxygen will rush in and feed the flames. 
  • Get yourself and others away from the vehicle, at least 100 feet. 
  • Call the fire department at 911 when you are in a secure location.
  • Do not return to the vehicle for any reason.

The repair

The fix is a free software update that a dealer will upload to your vehicle. The new software will make sure that plenty of oil is sent to the engine as the car warms up. The repair should take less than half a day, and is currently available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 32,000 vehicles are included in this Fiat Chrysler recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandRAM recalls pickups for engine fire risk
RAM 1500 pickup trucks recalled for faulty floor mats

RAM 1500 pickup trucks recalled for faulty floor mats

October 2, 2020 Ken Boyd

Pleasanton, CA – August 27 2020 – FCA US LLC (NYSE:FCAU) has recalled 160,229 Ram 1500 trucks that operate with adjustable pedals. The driver side floor mats may prevent the accelerator pedal from returning to an idle position, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes 2019 and 2020 Ram 1500 pickup.

Recall summary  

The vehicles equipped equipped with all-weather floor mats and adjustable accelerator pedals. Due to a design issue, the mats may prevent the pedal from returning to idle position after the driver accelerates. This recall does not effect the RAM 3500, 4500 or 5500 this time.

Risks 

There are several situations in which the floor mat issue can cause a crash. First, if the car is moving at a high speed, the stuck accelerator pedal would prevent the car from slowing down as expected. This may cause the driver to run a light or hit another vehicle from behind.

Secondly, during traffic congestion, the repeated use of the accelerator pedal increases the risk of the floor mat problem occurring. The risk of a crash is also higher if the floor mat is moved out of position when the driver enters and exits the vehicle.

What to do if the accelerator pedal is stuck

If you feel that the accelerator pedal is stuck, DriverEd.com recommends: 

First, shift your pickup into neutral. Then, apply the brakes to begin to slow your vehicle down. Always, keep your eyes on the road and look for a way out.

If possible you should warn other drivers by blinking and flashing your hazard lights. Attempt to drive the car safely off the road. once you have come to a complete stop turn off the ignition.

The repair

The dealer will notify owners and modify the floor mat, so that the mat does not interfere with the accelerator pedal. The recall begins October 16, and is free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 160,000 vehicles are included in this Ram truck recall. To see if your truck is one of them, use MotorSafety’s vehicle identification number (VIN) lookup tool and get help scheduling a repair with dealer today.

Ken BoydRAM 1500 pickup trucks recalled for faulty floor mats
Recall Lookup
Enter your vehicle(s) below to check the current recall status.

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories