RAM Recalls | Page 4 | MotorSafety.org

Fiat-Chrysler recalls Grand Cherokees and RAM 1500s with stalling risk

Pleasanton, CA – Aug 14, 2020 – Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE: FCAU) has recalled 58,016 SUVs and pickup trucks that may stall on the road. The recall includes:

2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs
2014-2018 Ram 1500 pickup trucks

Recall summary

The recall stems from an issue inside these vehicles’ diesel engines. The car uses a magnet-coated wheel to keep the engine in sync. The magnetic material, however, may chip off, causing the engine to get out-of-sync and stall.

Fiat-Chrysler started looking into the issue in March. As of July 31, Chrysler had identified 13 customer complaints (which Fiat-Chrysler calls “CAIRs”), 1,020 warranty claims, and six field reports related to these failing magnetic wheels.

Risks

Stalling in moving traffic can raise the risk of crashes, injuries, or worse. Vehicles may not be able to react in time and could ram a stalled car from behind. Even if the driver safely gets to the shoulder, they are still at risk of being hit.

If your car stalls, turn on the emergency hazard lights. If you can do so safely, try to shift into neutral and maneuver your car to the side of the road. Call your roadside assistance provider and be sure to stay in the car. The shoulder is very dangerous for pedestrians.

The repair

Fiat-Chrysler will offer a free software update that will keep the car from stalling in the case that the magnetic wheel is damaged. Chrysler will notify owners of the recall on October 2. The repair should take less than half a day.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 58,000 vehicles are part of this Chrysler recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Watch Your Step! Chrysler Recalls RAM 2500 Pickups Over Failing Bed Step

May 15, 2020 Joe Glaser RAM Recalls

December 16, 2021 Update – Chrysler has remedied issues with 27,657 models including the 2019 and 2020 Ram 2500 pickup trucks and the Ram 3500 pickup trucks dealing with bed step failures. Additionally, 462 of these models have been categorized as unreachable and 134 have been removed from the recall. Two groups of Ram pickup truck models were remedied in 2020 and three were remedied in 2021 for bed steps that may cause failures when used with heavy loads.

Despite being a minor, non-mechanical problem compared to other stalling issues experienced by the Chrysler RAM 2500 and RAM 3500 pickup trucks, these truck owners should remove the platform step because it can fail unexpectedly during use.

Laguna Hills, CA – May 15, 2020 – Chrysler recalled a total of 37,580 2019 and 2020 Ram 2500 pickup trucks and Ram 3500 pickup trucks that have had issues with the bed step accessory. During heavy loading, the bed step can break leading to user injury.

Dangers of a Faulty Bed Step

Having a bed step is a convenient feature that makes it easier for the user to climb into the bed of the truck.

In Ram trucks, if too much pressure is applied to the bed step, such as when a user steps up while carrying a heavy item, it can cause the support brace holding the step in place to break. As of March 30, 2020, owners have filed a total of 27 warranty claims. While there are no reported injuries from the faulty steps, the risk of an eventual fall and injury is imminent without the recall in place.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), over nine million people went to the emergency room for treatment of an injury related to a fall in 2016. While the NSC considers a fall to be a preventable injury, it is largely unavoidable when it comes to faulty equipment.

Is Your Vehicle Affected?

Based on the production records, the recall consists of 25,822 Ram 2500 pickups. The manufacture dates of all the pickup trucks are between October 18, 2018, and March 1, 2020. The recall also includes 11,758 Ram 3500 pickup trucks manufactured between January 8, 2019, and March 1, 2020.

Replacement Bed Steps Are Currently Unavailable

Thus far, no repair for the bed step assembly is available. A letter sent to dealers by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) instructs them to remove the bed step assembly on all unsold vehicles. Chrysler will notify dealers when a new deployable bed step becomes available. At that time, the dealers will be able to contact the vehicle owners to bring their trucks in for the installation of a new bed step at no cost.

RAM 2500 safety issues

The owners of the Ram recall should be also aware of two previous Ram recalls. In March 2020, Chrysler recalled over 87,000 trucks because of a potential fire hazard caused by leaking transmission fluid on these RAM pickups.

The same trucks are also among 318,537 recalled vehicles because of a rear-view camera display image that remains on longer than ten seconds. The lingering display image in several models of Jeep SUVs could distract the driver and possibly contribute to a vehicular accident.

Scheduling a Repair

To locate a dealership near you to remove the bed step and avoid the danger of this faulty equipment, visit Motorsafety.org.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 27,000 vehicles are included in this Chrysler recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Chrysler Recalls Jeep, Ram, Dodge Vehicles to Fix Distracting Rear-View Camera

May 13, 2020 Joe Glaser Chrysler Recalls, Dodge Recalls, Jeep Recalls, RAM Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – May 12, 2020 – Chrysler (NASDAQ: FCA) announced the recall of several models of Jeep SUVs, Ram pickup trucks, Dodge SUVs and Chrysler minivans equipped with 8.4” or 12” radio displays.

The recall includes the following models:

2020 Jeep Gladiator
2020 Jeep Cherokee
2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup
2019-2020 Ram 2500 Pickup
2019-2020 Ram 3500 Pickup
2019-2020 Chrysler Pacifica
2019-2020 Dodge Durango
2019-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2019-2020 Jeep Wrangler
2019-2020 Jeep Renegade
2019 Dodge Challenger

Recall Summary

Because of a software error, the rear-view camera image remains displayed after the vehicle shifts out of reverse, which could distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash.

In addition to the safety issue related to distracted driving, Chrysler initiated the recall to ensure vehicles meet federal standards that require rearview cameras to turn off within 10 seconds after shifting out of reverse.

The remedy will be available as early as May 22, 2020. The manufacturer will cover the cost to repair vehicles, which consists of a software update that could take up to a half day to repair at a certified service center.

Driving Risks

The rear-view camera potentially leads to a crash because once the driver shifts into drive, the vehicle is in forward motion while the navigation system displays an image in backward motion. If this were to happen while the driver pulls into traffic or an area with pedestrians, the risks of a crash increase.

The Threat Of Distracted Driving

According to the CDC, distracted drivers pose a serious problem that results in thousands of deaths each year. Several campaigns exist to bring more awareness to the problem, as well as April being designated as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

In both 2016 and 2017, over 3,000 people lost their lives in a motor vehicle crash involving distracted drivers.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – April 2019

In 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) classified 9% of traffic facilities as distraction-affected crashes, which means the driver was distracted at the time of the crash. In both 2016 and 2017, over 3,000 people lost their lives in a motor vehicle crash involving distracted drivers.

Other Recent Recalls

Earlier this year, some 2018-2020 Jeep Wranglers and 2020 Jeep Gladiators were the subjects of a recall involving the manual transmission. The recall affected almost 30,000 Jeep Wranglers and over 3,400 Jeep Gladiators. In addition to the manual transmission recall, Jeep also recalled over 33,000 Jeep Gladiators because of a clutch defect.

Is Your Vehicle Affected By This Recall?

Over 318,000 cars are included with this Chrysler recall. To find out if your vehicle is one of them, visit MotorSafety.org, where you can search for open recalls on your vehicle, set up an appointment for any needed repairs, and sign up for automatic alerts so you know when your vehicle might be not safe to drive.

Chrysler Recalls Jeep Compass and Ram Vehicles for Wiper Malfunction

May 1, 2020 Joe Glaser Jeep Recalls, RAM Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – May 1, 2020 – A nut that does not fit properly is causing some wiper blades to loosen and not work properly on potentially hundreds of thousands of Jeep Compass and Ram 1500 pickups. The fix is fast, simple, and free, NHTSA recall information says.

Jeep Compass SUVs manufactured from May 12, 2019, through March 3, 2020.
Ram 1500 and Ram 1500 Classic pickups built from April 28, 2019, through March 3, 2020.

A nut that does not fit properly might cause wiper blades to loosen and not work properly, which could impair driver vision. 425,588 vehicles recalled, including 316,626 Ram 1500 pickups and 108,962 Jeep Compass SUVs.

No matter how well you plan ahead, something incredibly simple can trigger big problems. That is why Fiat-Chrysler is recalling hundreds of thousands of pickups and SUVs due to an incorrect nut that enables wiper blades to loosen. If you drive a Jeep Compass SUV, Ram 1500, or Ram 1500 Classic that was built in the past two years, Fiat Chrysler recalls say you might have a pending problem with your windshield wiper blades. No accidents or injuries are know to exist due to the problem, Fiat-Chrysler says.

Why Loose Wiper Blades Are a Problem

When a wiper blade becomes loose, it does not provide the proper tension to work properly. Instead of cleanly wiping the windshield clean and providing clear vision, the wiper blades just smear fluid on the windshield and obscures vision. The lights of an oncoming vehicle could blind a driver, too. Jeep Compass recalls cite the same problem affecting Jeep Compass SUVs built in 2019 and 2020 that Ram cites for its pickups built during the same timeframe.

Incredibly Fast and Simple Fix

When it comes to the world of vehicle safety recalls, the fix could not be quicker or simpler. The solution is to tighten the nut just a quarter of a turn. That means you can get your wiper blades fixed quickly and ensure clear vision on rainy or snowy drives. They might even install new wiper blades.

Recent Jeep SUV, Ram Truck Recalls for Fire Risks

Jeep currently is recalling more than 33,000 Wranglers and Gladiators with manual transmissions due to a fire risk. The Jeeps built in 2018 through 2020 have clutch plates that might fail and leak fluid that might cause a fire. Ram recalls in 2019 targeted 498 heavy-duty Ram trucks for fire risk. The recall says the trucks have faulty fuel lines that might develop cracks and leak fuel. The leaking fuel might catch fire if it comes into contact with the exhaust manifold.

Search Recent Ram 1500 and Jeep Recalls

You can learn more about recalls for Jeep and Ram trucks at motorsafety.org and use the free vehicle recall search tool that lets you input your VIN and find out if any recalls affect your vehicle. Get peace of mind knowing whether or not these dangers exist. If they do, you can get a fix done quickly and at no cost to you.

Chrysler: Leaking Transmission Fluid Poses Fire Risk in Recalled RAM Trucks

February 6, 2020 Marshall Earley RAM Recalls

re: NHTSA campaign 20V043000

Laguna Hills, CA – February 6, 2020 – Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 – 2020 Ram 2500 and 3500 Pickup vehicles equipped with six-speed automatic (68RFE) transmissions.

This recall involves power train components. These vehicles are equipped with six-speed automatic (68RFE) transmissions that are susceptible to wear and tear from thermal loading. Heat can cause transmission fluid to leak from the dipstick tube.

The potential number of units affected is estimated at 84,202.

The defect

The affected vehicles are equipped with defective transmission assemblies that are prone to being damaged due to thermal stressors. Chrysler has not specified what specific aspect of the transmission or vehicle itself makes this possible.

A build-up of heat and pressure inside of the transmission can cause transmission fluid to be expelled from the dipstick tube.

Transmission fluid is flammable, and this loose liquid can come in contact with other ignition sources, such as the turbocharger, and start a fire in the engine compartment.

The possibility of fire increases the risk of injury and death on part of the operators and also can result in costly damage to the vehicle’s internals. In addition, sufficient amounts of transmission fluid can damage mechanical or electronic components even if no fire is started.

This defect is known to have resulted in engine compartment fires several times, and one minor injury was recorded, according to Chrysler. No warranty claims have been made in relation to this issue.

Timeline of events

On December 4, 2019, Chrysler’s US Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance (VSRC) group opened an investigation following reports of 2019 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks suffering from engine compartment fires.

Believing a defective part was responsible, VRSC analyzed fire patterns, damaged components, witness statements and other aspects of each event in order to determine trends related to these incidents.

Chrysler engineering soon conducted their own tests to duplicate the issue as it was reported in the field, and on January 9, 2020, engineers believed they had found the root cause of the issue: the transmission in these vehicles was being overloaded due to temperature and pressure changes.

Upon receiving these test results, Chrysler manufacturing plants conducted a review of records to determine the size of the recall population. It was determined that only the transmissions in 2019 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks were susceptible to leaking.

With the risk confirmed and the size of the recall population determined, Chrysler began planning a process for the voluntary recall and replacement of parts, and on January 24, 2020, they submitted a notice of recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

On February 3, 2020, this notice of recall became public.

The solution

Chrysler will notify owners of 2019 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks of the recall and the danger associated with leaking transmission lines.

The company will soon ship out replacement parts to authorized dealers and train them in the remedy process, which involves reprogramming the powertrain control system.

Once the remedy process is available, dealers will replace the transmission valve body separator plates and reprogram the control module, free of charge.

This is a voluntary recall, however, owners of the affected units are advised to exercise caution when operating their vehicles. The recall is expected to begin on March 14, 2020. This date is subject to change.

For more information on this or other recalls past or present, visit MotorSafety.org.

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About MotorSafety.org

MotorSafety.org is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to vehicle safety and assisting consumers with the identification and resolution of vehicle manufacturing recalls and defects. Through education, awareness, government relations, repair facility referrals and strategic partnerships, MotorSafety.org hopes to remove every unsafe vehicle from the road, facilitate its proper repair, and ensure its prompt return to the owner once the vehicle has met the required safety and performance standards. For more information about MotorSafety.org, please email support@motorsafety.org.

Fiat-Chrysler Recalling Ram ProMaster Delivery Vans

January 23, 2020 Marshall Earley RAM Recalls

re: NHTSA Campaign 20V036000

Laguna Hills, Calif. – May 26, 2022 – Fiat-Chrysler has remedied issues with 146,482 vehicles including the 2017 RAM Promaster that was dealing with transmission issues caused by a disconnected cable on the shifter. Additionally, 4,948 of these models have been categorized as unreachable and 3,527 have been removed from the recall. Three groups of these 2017 RAM Promaster models with Transmission Shifter Cables issues were remedied in 2020, four groups were remedied in 2021, and one group during 2022.

Laguna Hills, Calif. – January 23, 2020 – Fiat-Chrysler is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram ProMaster Delivery Vans with 3.6-liter engines because of faulty transmission shifter cables that may separate and cause severe vehicle damage.

The estimated total of affected vehicles is 222,207.

The Defect:

Fiat-Chysler is recalling certain 3.6-liter transmission Ram ProMaster Delivery Vans that were originally assembled in Saltillo, Mexico. Of the recalled vehicles about 3% are expected to have the faulty transmission. If the transmission shifter cable separates the vehicle could experience problems with gear shifting. The driver of the vehicle may also notice that the transmission will read that it is in a different gear than the transmission has been set in, leading to a vehicle being put in park but still in drive or neutral gear. This could lead to injury both to vehicle occupants and those outside of the vehicle. Certain warning messages will display on the dash of the vehicle if the driver’s side door is opened and the transmission is not in park. Drivers will also find that the transmission is easier to shift if the shifter cable is separated.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) there are zero reported field reports of issues and no crashes or injuries. Fiat-Chrysler has reported approximately 545 warranty claims.

The Solution

Fiat-Chrysler has claimed that the solution to the issue would be to install a new shifter cable at no charge. Any Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, or Fiat dealer will perform this repair. If customers have paid for the repair they will be reimbursed. Customers and vehicle owners will be informed about the recall by Fiat-Chrysler in May 2019.

Affected vehicle owners who suspecting that this recall applies to their vehicle are asked to bring their van into any authorized Ram dealership or to call Fiat-Chrysler customer service at 1 (800) 334-9200.

For more information on this and other recalls, visit www.motorsafety.org.

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Nearly 108,000 Dodge pickups recalled due to fire risk

November 13, 2019 Sean Reyes RAM Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – Nov. 11, 2019 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles U.S. recently issued a recall for more than 107,000 Ram pickup trucks produced between 2013 and 2019 for concerns that their exhaust gas recirculation coolers could pose a fire risk.

Specifically, the 107,979 vehicles in the recall could see their EGR coolers experience thermal fatigue, which would cause that component to crack internally over time.

The vehicles are in the 2014 through 2019 model years, and many are either Ram 1500 or 1500 Classic pickups with 3.0-liter Eco Diesel engines. Some of these trucks do not have the Eco Diesel engines but were built in the same production periods for these vehicles – ranging from June 12, 2013, to Oct. 23, 2019.

The Defect

If the EGR coolers in these trucks experience long-term thermal fatigue, they can crack internally, which would potentially introduced heated, vaporized coolant into its system while the engine is running. That mixture could interact with other hydrocarbons and air in the coolers and combust in the intake manifold, which in turn could result in an engine fire that could injure people in or near the vehicle, and otherwise damage the vehicle and property around it.

Drivers in affected vehicles may be able to identify such a defect if they find they are unexpectedly running low on coolant, their in-vehicle heater isn’t working or if a warning light on the dashboard becomes illuminated.

Timeline of Events

Fiat Chrysler first opened an investigation into this issue on May 22, 2019, after receiving multiple reports of fires in affected vehicles. In all cases, it was found that these originated in the general vicinity of the engine. Throughout July, the company met with engineers to understand what could possibly be happening under the hood of these vehicles to start the fires, and in the following two months held weekly meetings to review more information, including failed parts collected from the field.

Throughout the remainder of September, multiple vehicles were inspected, along with warranty reports. Then on Oct. 11, the company found that more than 8,900 EGR cooler replacements had been ordered, with dozens more field reports related to failure of that component. While no accidents had happened, these fires resulted in four minor injuries.

The company decided to initiate the recall Oct. 17.

The Solution

While the company does not yet have an official remedy for this issue, FCA plans to reimburse owners for the cost of repairing or replacing the components in such cases. Affected owners who already paid for repairs will be asked to keep the original receipt for these repairs or otherwise provide proof of payment so they can be properly reimbursed.

Affected owners and dealers will be receive full notification of the recall on or around Dec. 13.

For additional details about this recall, consumers can contact FCA U.S. by phone at 1-800-853-1403, or call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

For more information on this or other recalls past or present, visit MotorSafety.org.

Chrysler Announces Recall on Certain Ram 1500 Trucks

November 1, 2019 Sean Reyes Chrysler Recalls, RAM Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – October 31, 2019 – The recall of certain 2014 – 2019 Ram 1500 trucks, including some 1500 Classic Pickup vehicles, was announced by Chrysler earlier this month.

All trucks involved with the recall are equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines that have been outfitted with a faulty exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler.

The defect

The safety recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains that the issue involves the EGR coolers on vehicles listed for the recall. The defect leaves the coolers susceptible to thermal fatigue.

“Thermal fatigue may cause the cooler to crack internally over time,” stated Chrysler’s own description of the defect within the safety recall report.

“An EGR cooler with an internal crack will introduce pre-heated, vaporized coolant to the EGR system while the engine is running … potentially resulting in combustion within the intake manifold, which may lead to a vehicle fire.”

More than 100,000 vehicles are involved in the recall, all of which are expected to contain the defect. Chrysler utilized engine assembly plant records and other information to determine which vehicles were built with the “suspect” EGR coolers.

Timeline of events

The first signs of the defect came in May 2019, when an investigation was opened into engine compartment fires in Ram 1500 3.0L Eco Diesel trucks, according to the chronology report provided by Chrysler.

An inquiry running through October revealed numerous instances of warranty reports and associated repair orders that were related to the defect.

Meetings with diesel engineers and vehicles inspected from other countries allowed the manufacturer to “better understand the fire dynamics involved, and to rule out climate as a potential exacerbating factor.”

The decision to conduct a vehicle recall was made on October 17, after Chrysler had identified more than 60 field reports potentially related to EGR cooler failure.

The solution

According to paperwork Chrysler has filed with the NHTSA, the recall itself is expected to begin sometime in December 2019, although the remedy itself remains under development at the current time.

For more information on vehicle recalls, be sure to use MotorSafety.org’s free look-up tool.

Chrysler Recalls Ram Trucks with Faulty Tailgate Locks

September 27, 2019 Sean Reyes RAM Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – Sept. 25, 2019 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has announced the recall of a wide range of Ram trucks equipped with an 8-foot bed and a power-locking tailgate, due to the possibility that the tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlock and open while the vehicle is in motion.

While the defect is contained in certain Ram trucks made across roughly five years, not all vehicles manufactured during that period of time have been included in the recall, so vehicle owners should be sure to check whether or not their truck requires the remedy.

The Defect

Chrysler’s description of the defect explains that the tailgate actuator limiter tab located within the power-lock actuator control assembly “may fracture, allowing the lock rod control bracket to over-travel which may pull the lock rods and release the latches, potentially resulting in the tailgate inadvertently falling open at any time.”

The list of vehicles that may contain the defect has been expanded multiple times since the recall was first announced. As of Sept. 25, the makes and models of vehicles that could be affected are as follows:

2013-2018 Ram 1500
2013-2018 Ram 2500
2013-2018 Ram 3500

“An unintended opening of the tailgate while driving may result in a loss of unrestrained cargo from the truck bed while driving,” stated Chrysler’s safety recall report, which describes the safety risk caused by the defect. “Lost cargo may create a road hazard to operators and occupants of other vehicles, and can cause such vehicles to crash without prior warning.”

Timeline of Events

On July 19, 2018, the manufacturer first announced that it would conduct a voluntary safety recall on Ram pickup trucks. At that point ,the recall applied to “certain 2015-2017 MY Ram pickup trucks equipped with a power-locking tailgate, excluding vehicles with an 8-foot truck bed.” On May 2, 2019, the recall was expanded to include 2015-2017 Ram trucks with an 8 foot truck bed, as well as 2018 Ram trucks equipped with a power locking tailgate that were built prior to April 1 of that year.

In August 2019, Chrysler identified 54 warranty claims and repair orders that were potentially related to the defect despite having been generated in relation to vehicles not included in the ongoing recall. Following that discovery, on August 22, Chrysler expanded the recall to include the full list of vehicles seen above.

The Solution

Owners of vehicles listed in the initial recall should have already been notified of the defect by Chrysler earlier this year. However, that was before the range of the recall had been expanded. Owners of Ram vehicles that are now being recalled under the expanded action, as well as dealers, will be notified sometime around Oct. 18, 2019. Those with further questions, or who are looking to find out whether or not their Ram vehicle has been included in the recall, may contact the manufacturer’s customer service line at 800-853-1403.

Once truck owners have been notified that their vehicle has been included in the recall, they are instructed to bring their vehicle to a dealer, who will limit the locking actuator travel. The manufacturer is covering all costs incurred by the repair.

For more information on Chrysler recalls and other news from the automotive industry, visit MotorSafety.org.

Dashboard Lighting Issue Prompts Ram 1500 Recall

August 15, 2019 Sean Reyes RAM Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – Aug. 13, 2019 – The latest 2019 Chrysler recall affects the Ram 1500, ordered after the automaker learned the lighting for the dashboard cluster may short circuit, causing it to become non-operational while the truck is in use. This could increase the risk of a crash due to distraction or prevent the operator from being alerted to “check engine” warning lights. Chrysler says it will inform those affected via first-class mail to this safety issue starting Sept. 13. Their nearest dealer can determine if a fix is necessary. If so, it will come at no charge.

The Defect

In documentation submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Chrysler is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 models due to a circuitry issue, which may prevent motorists from seeing their speed, odometer, gas consumption or other critical details in their dashboard instrumentation cluster during the evening hours. Number 101 of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard concerns “Control and Displays,” which details a series of compliance protocols automakers must abide by before vehicles can go to dealerships. The failure of the dashboard to properly illuminate – or function at all – may lead to an accident and the potential for injury.

Timeline of Events

This issue first came to the automaker’s attention Jan. 25. The engineering division of Chrysler informed NHTSA official that instrumentation clusters in certain models – specifically the Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger and Chrysler 300 – may fail without warning. The confirmation on test vehicles led to voluntary recall on March 7. Approximately one month later, however, Chrysler discovered Ram 1500 clusters were experiencing some of the same issues as those observed in January. An inquiry determined that they were fitted with faulty software at a component manufacturer. In follow-up testing that occurred in May and June, Chrysler determined that the incident level for Ram 1500s was highly isolated, potentially involving a mere handful. Chrysler contacted dealers and confirmed with NHTSA that a voluntary recall was the best path forward, which the government confirmed Aug. 5.

2019 Chrysler recalls have been fairly frequent through the first half of the year. In late May, the company announced it was pulling 198,730 Chrysler Pacificas from the roadways due to the potential for power steering units to malfunction, power down or cause the vehicle to stall. A month before that, close to 300,000 Dodge Dart passenger vehicles were recalled over defective transmission shifter cables that could detach, preventing drivers from switching gears in stick-shift vehicles. That same month, Chrysler also recalled a total of 52 2019 Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500 vehicles over improperly machined steering columns.

The Solution

Chrysler knows how to fix this issue and will proceed with the recall order starting Sept. 13 by contacting the affected motorist by mail. Presently, the automaker believes only one Ram 1500 is installed with the flaw, but the recall could expand should the company or NHTSA be notified of other instances. The owner(s) are urged to bring their vehicle to a local dealer so the cluster can be swapped out and replaced with a fully functional one. This service will be for free.

For more information on this latest 2019 Chrysler recall or any others you may be wondering about, please visit MotorSafety.org. Locate your VIN to see if a recall applies to your car.

Recall summary

Risks

The repair

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Dangers of a Faulty Bed Step

Is Your Vehicle Affected?

Replacement Bed Steps Are Currently Unavailable

RAM 2500 safety issues

Scheduling a Repair

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Recall Summary

Driving Risks

The Threat Of Distracted Driving

Other Recent Recalls

Is Your Vehicle Affected By This Recall?

Why Loose Wiper Blades Are a Problem

Incredibly Fast and Simple Fix

Recent Jeep SUV, Ram Truck Recalls for Fire Risks

Search Recent Ram 1500 and Jeep Recalls

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Timeline of events

The solution

The Defect:

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The Defect

Timeline of Events

The Solution

The defect

Timeline of events

The solution

The Defect

Timeline of Events

The Solution

The Defect

Timeline of Events

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