NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
14 reportsClear category filter35,500 miles · Dec 2, 2020
Service Brakes
PLEASE LOOK INTO ABS MODULE AND HCU FAILURES REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. I SPOKE WITH DODGE AND THEY STATED IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF PARTS. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT HAVE BEEN FAILING ON RAM 2500 AND 3500 SINCE 2006. MY TRUCK IS A 2012 WITH JUST 35972, (NOT A DAILY DRIVEN TRUCK SO…
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PLEASE LOOK INTO ABS MODULE AND HCU FAILURES REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. I SPOKE WITH DODGE AND THEY STATED IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF PARTS. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT HAVE BEEN FAILING ON RAM 2500 AND 3500 SINCE 2006. MY TRUCK IS A 2012 WITH JUST 35972, (NOT A DAILY DRIVEN TRUCK SO YES LOW MILES) MILES ON IT AND IS FAILING. THIS FAILURE CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO STOP FUNCTIONING. PLEASE LOOK INTO RAM FORUMS AND READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND LOOK AT THE VARIATIONS IN YEARS, IF THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE THE ABS TO FAIL HOW ARE THEY NOT REPAIRING THIS. THIS TRUCKNIS STILL ON THE FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKES
NHTSA ODI #11377433
40,000 miles · Jan 31, 2019
Service Brakes
FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER BREAKS DO NOT WORK, I TOW A 10,000# TRAILER THAT I CANT TOW WITHOUT TRAILER BREAKS. CALLED DODGE @1-866-726-4636, THAY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM BUT CANT FIX IT. THIS WILL EVENTULY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.I WAS ON THE C.A. 101 NORTH AND HAD NO TRAILER BREAKS THIS IS DANGEROUS
NHTSA ODI #11173406
Mileage unknown · May 31, 2018
Power TrainService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (CHARLIE'S DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM IN MAU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (CHARLIE'S DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM IN MAUMEE, OH, (419) 893-0241) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11099008
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2018
Service Brakes
THE BREAK TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK LOCKING PIN ON VEHICLE MAY BECOME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND TO ANY GEAR POSITION WITHOUT DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND/OR WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION - DEALERSHIP WON'T HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX THE RECALL UNTIL "PROBABL…
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THE BREAK TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK LOCKING PIN ON VEHICLE MAY BECOME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND TO ANY GEAR POSITION WITHOUT DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND/OR WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION - DEALERSHIP WON'T HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX THE RECALL UNTIL "PROBABLY AROUND SUMMER TIME," ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
NHTSA ODI #11075639
81,110 miles · Nov 20, 2017
Air BagsSeat BeltsService BrakesCrash
DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK SLAMMED ON BRAKES. I WAS ROUGHLY 30 FT BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL FELT SPONGY BEFORE GOING TO THE FLOOR. THE TIRES DID NOT LOCK UP, AND THE TRUCK SLOWED 20MPH IN ABOUT 30 FT. THE TRUCK MADE …
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DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK SLAMMED ON BRAKES. I WAS ROUGHLY 30 FT BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL FELT SPONGY BEFORE GOING TO THE FLOOR. THE TIRES DID NOT LOCK UP, AND THE TRUCK SLOWED 20MPH IN ABOUT 30 FT. THE TRUCK MADE IMPACT WITH A CHEVROLET TAHOE AT 50 MPH. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT FAILED TO LOCK, THROWING MY KNEES INTO THE DASH. THE CHEVROLET TAHOE WAS TOTALED. THE CURRENT ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE RAM IS $5,448. THE BUMPER, DRIVER FENDER, GRILLE, AND HOOD WERE DAMAGED. UPON REMOVING THOSE ITEMS THE SHOP FOUND ALMOST EVERY BRACKET IN THE FRONT END HAD BEEN BROKEN AND THE FRAME HORNS BENT UPWARDS FROM THE COLLISION. THE IMPACT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO BREAK A RATCHET STRAP IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK, SENDING A LADDER THAT I WAS CARRYING INTO THE CAB CORNER, LEAVING A SOFTBALL SIZED DENT. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY FROM THE INCIDENT AND THE BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONAL ON THE TRIP TO THE BODY SHOP, HOWEVER ANY ATTEMPT TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL RAPIDLY WOULD RESULT IN A SPONGY PEDAL. MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS 81,110. RAM WAS CONTACTED AND AFTER A WEEK OF BACK AND FORTH RAM AGREED TO SEND SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A FAULT IN THE TRUCK.
NHTSA ODI #11047387
73,200 miles · Nov 15, 2017
Service BrakesSteering
SPEED ABOUT 20 MPH WITH NO THROTTLE, POWER STEERING AND BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. A FEW SECONDS LATER THE STEERING AND BRAKES WORKED AGAIN. IF THE STEERING AND BRAKES DID NOT START WORKING AGAIN THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER MOTORIST.THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI #11046370
71,994 miles · Jul 15, 2016
Air BagsSeat BeltsService BrakesCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURE THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND LOWER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURE THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND LOWER BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND A COLLISION CENTER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BODY DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,994. ..UPDATED 12/11/17 *BF *CN
NHTSA ODI #10885031
31,000 miles · Apr 12, 2016
Power TrainService BrakesSuspension
THE TRANSFER CASE OF THE TRUCK BROKE SUDDENLY AND SINCE I WAS DRIVING AT 75 MILES, THE ROTATION OF THE METAL PARTS KEEP GOING AND BROKE MAYOR PARTS UNDER THE RUCKS SUCH AS TRANSMITION, SUSPENSION, OIL LINES, DIESEL LINES, AND MUCH AND MUCH MORE EVEN MADE A HOLE UNDER THE CABIN. THE PART UNDER THE TRUCK JUST LOOK LIKE SOMETHING E…
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THE TRANSFER CASE OF THE TRUCK BROKE SUDDENLY AND SINCE I WAS DRIVING AT 75 MILES, THE ROTATION OF THE METAL PARTS KEEP GOING AND BROKE MAYOR PARTS UNDER THE RUCKS SUCH AS TRANSMITION, SUSPENSION, OIL LINES, DIESEL LINES, AND MUCH AND MUCH MORE EVEN MADE A HOLE UNDER THE CABIN. THE PART UNDER THE TRUCK JUST LOOK LIKE SOMETHING EXPLODED BECAUSE THE DAMAGE IS TOO BIG. EVEN BEYOND REPAIR FOR ME.
NHTSA ODI #10855119
45,000 miles · Oct 29, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService BrakesFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE EXHAUST FRACTURED CAUSING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WIRING AND THE ABS WIRING TO MELT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST PIPES ,THE ABS, AND THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE EXHAUST FRACTURED CAUSING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WIRING AND THE ABS WIRING TO MELT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST PIPES ,THE ABS, AND THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.
NHTSA ODI #10786982
55,834 miles · Aug 17, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes
WHEN I TRIED TO SWITCH MY HEADLIGHTS FROM DIM TO BRIGHT, THEY WOULDN'T STAY IN BRIGHT. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE BRIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. WHEN I SIGNALLED TO TURN LEFT, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. WHEN I SIGNALLED RIGHT, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. WHEN I STOPPED AND SET THE PARKING BRAKE, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. SEEMS L…
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WHEN I TRIED TO SWITCH MY HEADLIGHTS FROM DIM TO BRIGHT, THEY WOULDN'T STAY IN BRIGHT. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE BRIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. WHEN I SIGNALLED TO TURN LEFT, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. WHEN I SIGNALLED RIGHT, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. WHEN I STOPPED AND SET THE PARKING BRAKE, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. SEEMS LIKE MY TRUCK HAS A GHOST ONBOARD!
NHTSA ODI #10749303
Official recalls
4Dec 20, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Jul 22, 2015
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.
Oct 8, 2014
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Diesel
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.
Nov 6, 2013
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N49.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.