Ram Truck Steering Problems Lead To Recall of Half A Million Pickup Trucks

Russell Maas

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More than 500,000 Ram pickup trucks are being recalled due to steering linkage problems, which may loosen over time and cause drivers to lose control of the vehicles. 

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Ram truck recall on February 14, after recognizing the potential for the outboard steering linkage jam nut to loosen. The problem has resulted in at least eight accidents, and pose a serious risk for drivers.

The impacted vehicles are equipped with a with 4×4 style steering system that includes an outboard steering linkage jam nut. According to the notice, Ram pickup truck steering problems may be experienced if this nut was not properly torqued during the manufacturing process, allowing it to become loose.

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In the event of the jam nut loosening, one end of the drag linkage could separate from the adjuster sleeve, resulting in an unexpected loss of directional steering control, and increase the risk of a crash and serious injuries.

Chrysler first learned of the issue in April 2018, and opened an investigation into the matter with its parts supplier and assembly team. After collecting field parts from several warranty claims, the automaker was able to determine the steering linkage could separate due to a failure to properly torque the steering linkage jam nut.

By January 16, 2019, Chrysler was aware of at least 274 warranty claims alleging some severity of drag link separation. Of those reports, there were eight crashes, resulting in at least one injury.

The recall includes approximately 573,876 model year 2013 through 2017 Ram 3500 models, 2014 through 2017 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab models and 2014 through 2017 Ram 2500 trucks.

The recalled pickup trucks were manufactured by Chrysler (FCA US LLC) of Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were distributed to licensed dealers across the United States.

Chrysler announced it will begin notifying owners of the recall by mailed notice with instructions on how to schedule a repair appointment at their local dealer. Dealers will be instructed to inspect the steering linkage jam nut tightness and replace the drag link assembly or weld the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge.

The recall is anticipated to begin on March 16, 2019. Customers with additional questions or concerns regarding the recall are encouraged to contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 and reference the recall number V06.

A Ram brake pedal recall was also announced last week by NHTSA officials, following at least two customer complaints that the brake pedal separated from the assembly.

That recall included approximately 200,000 Ram pickup trucks that may be equipped with brake pedals that could fall off during operation, increasing the risk of an an accident with the large 2019 Ram 1500 models.

Tags: Chrysler, Truck Accident, Truck Recall

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12 Comments

Tom
Ridiculous fix and lack of follow up seems criminally negligent. Ram’s temporary fix to weld the nuts was supposed to be for a limited time, until the replacement parts could be arranged for. Ram customer service has escalated my claim but never calls back or has any info available for a reliable safe WORKING fix.
Tyler
Lost control of my truck and hit a concrete barrier 70 resulting in legal blindness inmy left eye and possible brain injury.
Devon
Had my 2015 Ram 2500 jam nut recall done in 2019. We put new tires on it right after that. Well of course without being able to get an alignment done without having to break the weld then align then reweld it ate through that set. Fast forward to now we just put another set on and was told still couldn’t due alignment that I have to take back to dealership. I called the dealership that I had the recall done at and was told it would all have to come out of my pocket to break weld, align, then reweld. Cause they couldn’t legally let me leave without rewelding it. And since I already had the recall done once then it’s up to me to pay for everything now. This is bull crap. Need a better fix than just welding the problem.
Ashley
Rollover accident occurred due to this. Dealership sent away stating they “didn’t have the part” Mopar needs to compensate for losses. This is ridiculous and dangerous!!
Edward
My jam nuts on my 2018 Ram 3500 were welded last summer as a recall fix. Now I need a front end alignment, service center tells me they need they truck for the day because they have to break the weld, align, and then reweld. Welding, and rewelding is a huge safety concern to me as it will weaken and become bottle at that location of the drag link. Surely this is not Ram’s permanent solution to the recall.
Mark
According to title 49 of the US code of Federal Regulation SS 393.209 SEC (2) (d) steering system should not be repaired by welding… Anyone know an attorney that would like to take on FCA with a class action? I had this done to my 2017 not knowing they were going to weld it, only thought it was a look inspection! Now I cannot legal tow in the U.S.!
Wayne
Dealership welded mine without an alignment now it’s eating off the tires truck shakes FCA said they were gonna look into it . They hasn’t done a thing asking for my money for my tires an alignment. Never buy another Ram again.
Jimmie
I have a 2016 Ram 3500 dually… I average 80,000 miles a year (until this truck). This truck has 42,321 miles in 3 years…it was at the dealership most of last year. It has had 4 transmission jobs, 3 radio/ecm’s, 2 water pumps, fan clutch, 10 tires!!, 4 wheel alignments , brakes have squealed from the second week I bought it….drivers window regulator and motor have been replaced, cruise control switch in the steering wheel has been replaced…… HVAC recirculation system randomly shuts off then fills the cab with exhaust fumes, you canNot leave the radio on XM satellite when going into a tunnel…..truck will shut off (no matter the speed your going), backup sensors work when they want to, I tried to get it lemoned but had to go through arbitration process (it took a year to get the meeting) Chrysler said it wasn’t qualified for lemon law because of time, size of truck and that repairs were done that fixed the problem and can be driven…. Chrysler said the problems with the truck was between myself and the dealer, not Chrysler. I raised so much “stink” at the dealership that at the end of the arbitration meeting I was told to never come back to any Hall Chrysler or they would have me arrested…. There are open recalls and I can’t get any dealership in Hampton roads to even look at my truck….as soon as they find out who I am they say take it back to Hall, “we won’t touch it”…. I made it to Greenbrier Dodge thru making an appointment for the drag link recall, as soon as they pulled the truck into the shop doors the service manager came to me and said they could not do anything for me, they don’t have the part(s) and the truck is to big to do the work even if they had parts , please leave…. I drove out the other side and passed 3 duallys …. The Chrysler company today….needs to be shutdown !!!
Milton
So true George, we were not able to do an alignment to the new wheels and tires because of the nuts are welded. What can we do Chrysler need answers? I spent 7,500.00 on new wheels and tires and the tire shop couldn’t do the alignment because the nuts are welded…HELP.. this is a new truck?
Kelly
Next they will be welding lug nuts and any other nut that comes lose on the truck. I have been working on cars for 35 years never once have I seen a manufacture recall weld adjustable steering linkages.
RON
I AGREE WITH GEORGE, WELD THE NUTS HOW DO YOU ADJUST IF NEEDED
George
This is unacceptable. Weld my adjustment sleeve and nuts! They should replace all of these. $75,000 for a 2018 truck still under warranty and this is the repair? Class action is needed. Some people must be forced to do the right thing. George

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