Ram Recall Impacts 1.8M Pickup Trucks Following Rollaway Accidents

About 1.8 million Ram pickup trucks are being recalled, following reports of problems where the vehicles shifted out of the park position without depressing the brake pedal, which causes a risk of rollaway accidents. 

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced the Ram recall on December 22, indicating that the pick up trucks may suddenly start to roll away when the driver believes the vehicle is in park. To date, the manufacturer has received several reports of the trucks shifting out of park and rolling away, including incidents that resulted in an accident and at least seven injuries.

An investigation by the auto maker revealed that heat can build up around the gearshift. Prolonged exposure to heat can cause the shift interlock to fail and allow the shifter to move out of gear unexpectedly.

The recall affects certain model year 2010 through 2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, 2011 through 2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs, as well as 2016 and 2017 Ram 3500 chassis cabs of less than 10,000 pounds gross vehicles weight. The recall also includes certain 2009 through 2017 Ram 1500 models.

FCA’s head of safety compliance and product analysis, Tom McCarthy, said the automaker was developing a remedy and that “We urge customers to use their parking brakes, as recommended, and to ensure that child occupants are not left unattended” until the remedy is available and installed.”

According to the recall announcement, an estimated 1.48 million of the recalled trucks were sold across the United States at licensed Chrysler dealers, and about another 300,000 vehicles were distributed for sale throughout Canada and Mexico.

Roll away accidents are extremely dangerous, especially for heavy pickup trucks, which may cause serious injuries and fatalities for occupants and bystanders. The NHTSA warns roll away accidents are a particular problem when young children are being transported, as the caregiver may get out of the vehicle to unbuckle the child, placing both the caregiver and child at risk if the vehicle begins to rollaway.

Affected Ram owners will be advised by Chrysler when they will be able to schedule service. For additional recall information or instructions, customers may contact FCA at 866-220-6747.