Ram Anti-Lock Brake Failure Possibility Results in Recall of 300K Pickup Trucks: NHTSA

The manufacturer has already received more than 50,000 warranty claims concerning defective hydraulic control units, which regulate fluid to the brake system.

Federal highway safety officials have announced a recall impacting more than 300,000 Ram pickup trucks, due to a risk of anti-lock brake failure, which could result in a crash.

The Ram truck recall was announced by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on December 5, warning that certain vehicles from model years 2017 through 2018 may contain a faulty hydraulic control unit (HCU), which may cause the anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control systems to fail.

The hydraulic control unit is responsible for regulating the flow and pressure of hydraulic fluid to various systems, including the brakes and transmission. A malfunction or failure of the HCU may disable the ABS, ESC and traction control systems, which are all safety features designed to stabilize the vehicle during sudden braking, momentary loss of control and acceleration on slippery or uneven surfaces.

Ram pickup trucks equipped with a defective brake HCU may face an increased risk of being involved in an auto accident, which could lead to injury or death for the driver, passengers or bystanders.

The recall impacts 317,630 model year 2017-2018 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500 and 5500 trucks, which were distributed for sale to licensed dealers across the U.S.

Drivers are advised to watch for a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) light, which could illuminate when the ABS motor is not functional.

A failing HCU may initially result in intermittent losses of the ABS, ESC and traction control systems, which could eventually progress to a permanent loss. However, owners are also warned that these systems may fail without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

While Ram’s manufacturer, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), is unaware of any injuries or incidents related to the malfunction, the company is aware of at least 4,622 customer assistance records, 53,448 warranty claims and 1,460 field reports related to the issue.

On November 28, 2022, NHTSA initiated an investigation into Dodge Ram vehicles equipped with HCUs that were produced between April 2017 and December 2018. FCA US then received an Information Request Letter from NHTSA about the issue on January 23, 2023.

From September 2023 to January 2024, FCA US and NHTSA reviewed engineering data related to the alleged defect and conducted tests on “failed” customer parts from June 2024 to July 2024.

The FCA US Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) organization opened an investigation into vehicles that may contain a faulty HCU on October 18, and the manufacturer then initiated a voluntary safety recall of all affected vehicles on November 21, 2024.

Customers will begin receiving notification letters on January 9, 2025, with instructions on how to schedule a free replacement of the brake HCU at their local dealers.

Any vehicle owners who have already had this remedy performed at their own expense prior to receiving the Ram recall notification may be eligible for reimbursement.

FCA US, LLC’s number for this recall is C4B. Customers may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or contact Chrysler’s contact for this recall, Emily C. Smith, who may be reached by email at emily.c.smith@dot.gov. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.