NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
45 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jan 4, 2017
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V739000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V739000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10939590
122,000 miles · Nov 16, 2016
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR THE WEEKEND IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ON MONDAY MORNING ABOUT TO LEAVE FOR WORK THE TRUCK STARTED CRANKING OVER. THE TRUCK WAS LOCKED AND THE KEYS WERE INSIDE MY HOUSE. BEING A STANDARD WHILE IT WAS CRANKING IT WAS HEADING IN REVERSE. NO VISUAL FLAMES WERE SEEN BUT HEAVY WHITE SMOKE WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE…
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VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR THE WEEKEND IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ON MONDAY MORNING ABOUT TO LEAVE FOR WORK THE TRUCK STARTED CRANKING OVER. THE TRUCK WAS LOCKED AND THE KEYS WERE INSIDE MY HOUSE. BEING A STANDARD WHILE IT WAS CRANKING IT WAS HEADING IN REVERSE. NO VISUAL FLAMES WERE SEEN BUT HEAVY WHITE SMOKE WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HAD TO USE MANUAL KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND PUT TRUCK IN NEUTRAL, I THEN ROLLED THE TRUCK DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AND THEN UNHOOKED THE 2 BATTERIES AND SMOKING STOPPED. AFTER THINGS CLEARED I COULD SEE BURNT/MELTED PLUG ENDS FROM WIRING HARNESS TO FUSE BOX. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP FOR (6) WEEKS NOW. END OF WEEK 5 THEY GOT IT TO START UP BUT NOTHING ON THE COMPUTER PAST THE FIREWALL READS. TO DATE THEY HAVE REPLACED (3) WIRING HARNESSES, THE FUSE BOX AND A CLUSTER AND STILL AT A LOSS AT WHY COMPUTER WILL NOT READ ANYTHING. AS OF TODAY THE ENTIRE INTERIOR IS OUT OF THE TRUCK AND THEY ARE CHECKING EVERY CONNECTION, RELAY AND WHAT EVER ELSE THEY CAN TO GET IT FIXED. THERE WAS ALSO AN INSPECTOR THRU CHRYSLER CARE WHO INVESTIGATED IT BEFORE WORK WAS STARTED. THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME TO OPEN AN INSURANCE CLAIM. THANKS FOR THE HELP.
NHTSA ODI #10926543
125,000 miles · Nov 15, 2016
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY WAS ENGAGED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT INADVERTENTLY TOUCHED THE KEY AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE KEY HAD TO BE HELD IN VARIOUS POSITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY WAS ENGAGED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT INADVERTENTLY TOUCHED THE KEY AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE KEY HAD TO BE HELD IN VARIOUS POSITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #10926298
144,000 miles · Jun 22, 2016
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION RECEIVER AND TRAN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION RECEIVER AND TRANSMITTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
NHTSA ODI #10875835
120,000 miles · Nov 19, 2015
Electrical System
ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. IGNITION SWITCH IS SO LOOSE THAT IT GETS STUCK BETWEEN RUN AND THE OFF POSITION AND IT MAKES FOR VERY FATAL DRIVING SITUATIONS. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, WHILE PARKED, AND ANYTIME THE VEHICLE IS "BUMPED" UP AND DOWN. THERE WAS A NEAR CRASH ON A BUSY INTERSTATE BECAUSE OF IT. THIS IGNI…
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ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. IGNITION SWITCH IS SO LOOSE THAT IT GETS STUCK BETWEEN RUN AND THE OFF POSITION AND IT MAKES FOR VERY FATAL DRIVING SITUATIONS. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, WHILE PARKED, AND ANYTIME THE VEHICLE IS "BUMPED" UP AND DOWN. THERE WAS A NEAR CRASH ON A BUSY INTERSTATE BECAUSE OF IT. THIS IGNITION SWITCH IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT DODGE HAS RECALLED IN THEIR VANS, BUT IT ISN'T RECALLED IN MY RAM 3500 FOR SOME REASON. IT IS A FATAL FLAW THAT WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. DODGE HAS A FILE OF THIS AND REFUSES TO PAY FOR IT TO BE FIXED EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THAT IT CAN CAUSE A FATAL CRASH.
NHTSA ODI #10794946
194,322 miles · Nov 10, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V459000 (AIR BAGS)…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V459000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER DID NOT SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,322.
NHTSA ODI #10789514
58,000 miles · Sep 4, 2015
Electrical System
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START UNLESS ONE TURNS THE KEY FOB EXTREMELY HARD AND WIGGLING THE FOB WHILE TURNING. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLS AFTER THE KEY IS RELEASED, AND STALLS WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10761685
46,000 miles · Aug 10, 2015
Electrical SystemPower Train
THE 1ST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS AS I WAS ROUNDING A CORNER, ONTO A ROAD I WAS TURNING ONTO. I PUSHED ON THE THROTTLE PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE PEDAL WAS DEAD !!! AFTER 2-3 SECONDS OF HOLDING THE PEDAL DOWN, THE ENGINE CAME TO LIFE AND SPED UP. SENSE THEN, THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE FREQUENTLY. WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP LIGHT, G…
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THE 1ST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS AS I WAS ROUNDING A CORNER, ONTO A ROAD I WAS TURNING ONTO. I PUSHED ON THE THROTTLE PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE PEDAL WAS DEAD !!! AFTER 2-3 SECONDS OF HOLDING THE PEDAL DOWN, THE ENGINE CAME TO LIFE AND SPED UP. SENSE THEN, THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE FREQUENTLY. WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP LIGHT, GOING AROUND CORNERS AND CURVES. IT HAPPENS AFTER LEAVING OFF THE THROTTLE, BEFORE PASSING, THEN A DEAD PEDAL TRYING TO SPEED UP TO PASS. THIS IS SPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN I AM PULLING MY 5TH WHEEL TRAILER AND NEED THE POWER TO HELP CONTROL THE TRUCK AND TRAILER !! HAVING THE CRUSE CONTROL ON OR OFF SEEMS NOT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. AFTER PRESSING AND GETTING A DEAD THROTTLE, THE POWER COMES BACK, AFTER HOLDING THE PEDAL DOWN FOR A FEW TO SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, BY A POSSIBLE REAR-END ACCIDENT FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAD THIS HAPPEN ON A 2000 FORD 250 DIESEL AND THE THROTTLE PEDAL WAS REPLACED AND IT SOLVED THE DEAD PEDAL SITUATION. I'M FRIGHTENED OF GET STRANDED IN THE MOUNTAINS OR IN THE DESERT AS I TRAVEL ACROSS THE USA, WHERE I CAN'T GET CELL PHONE RECEPTION FOR HELP.
NHTSA ODI #10747643
60,000 miles · Feb 25, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSteering
RECALLS: P65 DIESEL FUEL HEATER, POTENTIAL FUEL LEAK AND FIRE. RAM DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TO FIX, REFUSES LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL PARTS ARE AVALIABLE. VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE N49 LEFT TIE ROD, REQUESTED APPOINTMENT TO HAVE REPAIRED APPOINTMENT NEVER MADE BY DEALER. EMMISSION CONTROL PROBLEMS RELATED TO O2 SENSORS AND WIRI…
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RECALLS: P65 DIESEL FUEL HEATER, POTENTIAL FUEL LEAK AND FIRE. RAM DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TO FIX, REFUSES LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL PARTS ARE AVALIABLE. VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE N49 LEFT TIE ROD, REQUESTED APPOINTMENT TO HAVE REPAIRED APPOINTMENT NEVER MADE BY DEALER. EMMISSION CONTROL PROBLEMS RELATED TO O2 SENSORS AND WIRING, PAID $387 TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE, NOT REPAIRED AND NOT UNDER WARRANTY ACCORDING TO RAM. ENGINE STOPS RUNNING REQUIRES CODE CLEARING THRU OBD2 SYSTEM TO GET RUNNING OUT OF "LIMP" MODE. DEALERS AWARE OF ISSUES, MULTIPLE TSB, BUT NO FIX WORKS.
NHTSA ODI #10690526
18,000 miles · Feb 6, 2015
Electrical System
DRIVING AT SPEED HIT BUMP OR KEY BRUSHED LEG(USUALLY WHEN GOING FROM ACCELERATOR TO BRAKE BUT NOT ALWAYS) & IGNITION TURNED OFF, HAD TO PUT IN NEUTRAL & RE START. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 10-15 TIMES AT SLOW SPEEDS AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE WHEN THE TRUCK WAS IN FOR SERVICE. ONLY HAVE MY HOUSE KEY & T…
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DRIVING AT SPEED HIT BUMP OR KEY BRUSHED LEG(USUALLY WHEN GOING FROM ACCELERATOR TO BRAKE BUT NOT ALWAYS) & IGNITION TURNED OFF, HAD TO PUT IN NEUTRAL & RE START. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 10-15 TIMES AT SLOW SPEEDS AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE WHEN THE TRUCK WAS IN FOR SERVICE. ONLY HAVE MY HOUSE KEY & TRUCK KEYS ON KEY RING. THE LATEST INCIDENT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH ON A UNLIT, CURVEY, BUMPY ROAD IGNITION SHUT OFF LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING LIGHTS & I KNOW THAT THE KEY DID NOT HIT MY LEG BECAUSE THE KEYS WERE FLIPPED ON TOP OF THE IGNITION KEY(GENERALLY DO THIS ALL THE TIME). ORIGINALLY THIS HAPPENED AT RANDOM BUT IS NOW OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10681835
Official recalls
8May 27, 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
Dec 21, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
Dec 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.
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.
Aug 6, 2013
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 RAM 3500 trucks manufactured May 4, 2012, through August 7, 2012; and model year 2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured May 3, 2012, through August 7, 2012. Due to a loose snap ring inside the transmission, there may be a loss of power transfer through the transmission to the wheels.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An unexpected loss of power transfer may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission assembly free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N50.
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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