NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
225 reports30,000 miles · Sep 9, 2015
SteeringSuspension
A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, MY WIFE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STEERING NOT FEELING RIGHT. AS I CONTINUE TO USE THE VEHICLE I NOTICE SOME VIBRATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT BEING A PROBLEM BECAUSE THIS IS OUR FIRST PICKUP TRUCK AND THE STEREOTYPE IS ALL PICKUP TRUCKS RIDE RUFF. NOW SOME TIME HAVE …
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A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, MY WIFE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STEERING NOT FEELING RIGHT. AS I CONTINUE TO USE THE VEHICLE I NOTICE SOME VIBRATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT BEING A PROBLEM BECAUSE THIS IS OUR FIRST PICKUP TRUCK AND THE STEREOTYPE IS ALL PICKUP TRUCKS RIDE RUFF. NOW SOME TIME HAVE PAST AND A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER THE STEERING VIBRATION IS GETTING WORSE AND NOW I'M STARTING TO SUSPECT SOMETHING IS WRONG. AS I WENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE TO CHECK THE FRONT SUSPENSION I NOTICE THE NEW TIRES WHICH CAME WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASE WAS COMPLETELY WORN ON THE INSIDE THREADS AFTER 8K MILES. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE NET TO FIND OUT THAT A LOT OF USERS OF THIS VEHICLE ARE EXPERIENCING WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE (DEPTH WOBBLE). I FIRST CALLED DODGE MFG. AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY INFORM ME THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING TO A DEALER AND GAVE ME A CASE #. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. ALL THEY DID WAS A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WHICH THEY CHARGE ME AND SAID THEY WOULDN'T REPLACE THE TIRES. WELL THIS VEHICLE IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING! ONLY 40K MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND WE REALLY ARE NOT HAPPY CAMPERS!
NHTSA ODI #10762440
69,000 miles · Sep 8, 2015
Service BrakesSteering
WHILE HAULING A LARGE LOAD OF HAY, I WAS TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 10MPH AS I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN ON TO ANOTHER ROAD. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE STEERING COMPLETELY WENT AWAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. THE BRAKE PEDDLE WAS VERY STIFF AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT VERY RESPO…
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WHILE HAULING A LARGE LOAD OF HAY, I WAS TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 10MPH AS I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN ON TO ANOTHER ROAD. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE STEERING COMPLETELY WENT AWAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. THE BRAKE PEDDLE WAS VERY STIFF AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT VERY RESPONSIVE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK STOPPED AS I WAS HEADING TOWARD ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND BACKING THE VEHICLE UP THE STEERING RETURNED AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE TURN. I TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD TO MY DESTINATION AT A VERY SLOW SPEED AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO TURN I LOST ALL STEERING AGAIN AND THE BRAKE PEDDLE WAS VERY STIFF AND NOT VERY RESPONSIVE. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AND HAVE NOT MOVED IT.
NHTSA ODI #10762200
75,000 miles · Aug 24, 2015
Electrical System
TRAILER BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.
NHTSA ODI #10758800
35,000 miles · Aug 22, 2015
Steering
HAVE EXPERIENCED A WOBBLE IN THE STEERING SINCE NEW, ESPECIALLY WHEN BACKING. DEALER COULD NEVER DUPLICATE IT. WHILE BACKING TO THE RIGHT IN JULY IT REPEATED, FEELING LIKE A WHEEL WAS LOOSE. AGAIN, ON THE HIGHWAY ON A RIGHT HAND RAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH IT WAS SO SEVERE I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 15 MPH TO REGAIN CONTROL. EV…
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HAVE EXPERIENCED A WOBBLE IN THE STEERING SINCE NEW, ESPECIALLY WHEN BACKING. DEALER COULD NEVER DUPLICATE IT. WHILE BACKING TO THE RIGHT IN JULY IT REPEATED, FEELING LIKE A WHEEL WAS LOOSE. AGAIN, ON THE HIGHWAY ON A RIGHT HAND RAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH IT WAS SO SEVERE I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 15 MPH TO REGAIN CONTROL. EVERY RIGHT HAND TURN AFTERWARDS IT REPEATED, EVENTUALLY DOING IT IN BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT LANE CHANGES. DEALER INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THE FRONT STABILIZER WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS REPLACED. TEST DRIVE INDICATED A SLIGHT WOBBLE, BUT IMPROVED. THE FOLLOWING WEEK THE PROBLEM RETURNED. I PARKED THE TRUCK AS UNSAFE AND CONTACTED THE DEALER AND TOOK IT IN ON THE NEXT MONDAY. UPON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC "COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". I REFUSED TO TAKE IT BACK UNTIL THEY CORRECTED. THE DEALER KEPT IT UNTIL THURSDAY WHEN THEY THEN STATE THEY COULD NOW FEEL THE WOBBLE AND THE MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS THE FRONT AXLE HUBS AND PARTS WERE ORDERED. THE TRUCK WAS FINISHED ON THAT FRIDAY. THEY DEALER STATED THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT U JOINTS WERE BOTH FROZEN AND WERE REPLACED. NOTE THERE IS A NOTICE ON THE ENGINE COWLING STATING THOSE JOINTS HAD TO BE REGULARLY LUBRICATED USING A NEEDLE GREASE FITTING. THE DEALER PERFORMING THE SERVICE SAYS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH THE SPOT WITHOUT DISASSEMBLY OF THE TRUCK FRAME. EVEN THOUGH RAM TRAINED MECHANICS AT DEALERS PERFORMED THE LUB PER THE SERVICE SCHEDULE IT APPARENTLY HAS NEVER BEEN CARED FOR. FROM THE NOTICE ON THE ENGINE IT IS OBVIOUS THAT RAM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND INSTEAD OF CORRECTING THE DESIGN THEY PLACED A LABEL TELLING THE DEALER TO LUBRICATE AN INACCESSIBLE FITTING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10758574
98,000 miles · Aug 20, 2015
SteeringSuspension
FROM 45 TO 70 MPH. IF YOU HIT A BUMP JUST RIGHT IN THE ROAD IT WILL CAUSE THE STEERING TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND HAVE TO SLOW TO 30 MPH TO BRING BACK TO NORMAL. BALL JOINTS STEERING STABILIZER TRACK BAR HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED TRUCK HAD BEEN TO SHOP FOR ALIGNMENT. TIRES WERE PUT ON AROUND 90K AND TRUCK HAD AROUND 98K WHEN DEATH WO…
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FROM 45 TO 70 MPH. IF YOU HIT A BUMP JUST RIGHT IN THE ROAD IT WILL CAUSE THE STEERING TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND HAVE TO SLOW TO 30 MPH TO BRING BACK TO NORMAL. BALL JOINTS STEERING STABILIZER TRACK BAR HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED TRUCK HAD BEEN TO SHOP FOR ALIGNMENT. TIRES WERE PUT ON AROUND 90K AND TRUCK HAD AROUND 98K WHEN DEATH WOBBLE STARTED HAPPENING I DO NOT FEEL SAFE HAULING ANYTHING WITH THIS VEHICLE OR HAVING MY FAMILY RIDE WITH ME.
NHTSA ODI #10750196
77,000 miles · Aug 13, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED A VIBRATION AS WELL AS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT INDEPENDENTLY REPLACED THE SHOCKS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED A VIBRATION AS WELL AS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT INDEPENDENTLY REPLACED THE SHOCKS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA ODI #10748450
52,000 miles · Jul 30, 2015
Steering
AROUND SEPTEMBER 2014 I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH. THE ROAD I WAS ON CURVED TO THE RIGHT. AS I WAS COMING OUT OF THE CURVE MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE BACK THE THE CENTER POSITION. I HAD TO FORCE IT TO THE CENTER POSITION. A SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED BY DODGE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. EVER SINCE THE THE REPAIR WAS MADE I HAVE HAD TO H…
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AROUND SEPTEMBER 2014 I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH. THE ROAD I WAS ON CURVED TO THE RIGHT. AS I WAS COMING OUT OF THE CURVE MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE BACK THE THE CENTER POSITION. I HAD TO FORCE IT TO THE CENTER POSITION. A SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED BY DODGE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. EVER SINCE THE THE REPAIR WAS MADE I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY PICK UP ALIGNED TWICE. THE TRUCK NOW HAS 63000 MILES. NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING ON. I WILL STILL BUY RAM TRUCKS AS I AM A LOYAL CUSTOMER BUT I AM LITTLE LEERY OF THE STEERING SYSTEM ON THIS ONE.
NHTSA ODI #10745023
60,000 miles · Jul 28, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE RPMS DECREASED, AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE RPMS DECREASED, AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10744205
78,538 miles · Jul 16, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,538.
NHTSA ODI #10734491
89,770 miles · Jul 7, 2015
Service BrakesSteering
THE UPPER STEERING HOSE INNER PLASTIC TUBE BECOMES LOOSE OR BREAKS AND LODGES INTO THE METAL FITTING WHICH CAUSES A LOUD HISSING NOISE UNDER THE STERRING WHEEL. BECAUSE IT IS ALSO CONNECTED TO THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL BECOMES UNSAFELY SOFT. DODGE/RAM NEEDS TO RECALL THIS AS IT A KNOWN ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND BECOMES A REA…
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THE UPPER STEERING HOSE INNER PLASTIC TUBE BECOMES LOOSE OR BREAKS AND LODGES INTO THE METAL FITTING WHICH CAUSES A LOUD HISSING NOISE UNDER THE STERRING WHEEL. BECAUSE IT IS ALSO CONNECTED TO THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL BECOMES UNSAFELY SOFT. DODGE/RAM NEEDS TO RECALL THIS AS IT A KNOWN ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND BECOMES A REAL DANGER WHEN BRAKING HARD OR TOWING.
NHTSA ODI #10732524
Official recalls
5Dec 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.
Oct 13, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.
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.
Jul 6, 2011
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. THIS CONDITION TENDS TO OCCUR DURING LOW SPEED PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS WHEN THE CUSTOMER IS MAKING A TIGHT TURN. ADDITIONALLY, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 VEHICLES MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE AFFECTED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY AS A REPLACEMENT PART DURING NORMAL SERVICE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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.
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