Air Bags. Review the 165 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 103 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

40 crash reports6 fire reports29 injury reports

Power Train complaints

73 reports

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239,000 miles · Jun 12, 2015

Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE PINION NUT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILU…

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NHTSA ODI #10724886

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2015

Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE…

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NHTSA ODI #10722196

30,126 miles · May 6, 2015

Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

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I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND WITHIN A WEEK THE KEY WOULDN'T GO INTO THE IGNITION AND ONCE IN WOULDN'T COME BACK OUT. THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY LOCKING THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL NOW DOESN'T GO OFF AND WHEN I TRY TO PUT IT OFF MY SELF THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL ACTIVATES! THIS WENT ON BACK AND FORTH A GOOD EIGHT TIMES BEFORE BOTH SHUT OFF. MY FRONT HEADLIGHTS (MOSTLY RIGHT BUT CANNOT REALLY SEE THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING) THE LIGHTS SHAKES AND BOUNCES WHEN I GO OVER ANYTHING UNEVEN. UPON COMING TO A SUDDEN STOP THE TRUCK PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO SWERVE INTO THE GRASS. THIS VEHICLE JUST DOESN'T DRIVE RIGHT. THE WHOLE FRONT END SEEMS LOOSE. I CANNOT DRIVE OVER 50 OR THE REAR END COMES OFF THE GROUND WHEN I BRAKE TO MAKE MY TURN. I'M TAKING IT TO THE DEALER THIS EVENING. MY DEALER 30 DAY WARRANTY EXPIRES TOMORROW. THE 3 YEAR 36000 MANUFACTURER WARRANTY IS UP SINCE THREE YEARS ARE GONE - ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 31864 MILES NOW. I CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE REPAIRS WHILE STILL FINANCED. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER OF FOUR AND ALWAYS HAVE MY FOUR YEAR OLD IN THE TRUCK. IT'S TO THE POINT I NO LONGER TRUST DRIVING THIS TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714938

61,000 miles · Apr 8, 2015

Power Train

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VEHICLE DODGE RAM 1500 LARAMIE CREW CAB AT APPROXIMATELY, 10:30 PM EDT, WHILE DRIVE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH LIMITED TRAFFIC BUT A CAR IMMEDIATELY BEHIND MY IN THE RIGHT LANE, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS ACCOMPANIED BY WIFE AND 2 CHILDREN (AGES 11,15). REAR OF VEHICLE WAS LIFTED OFF THE GROUND FOLLOWED BY A STRONG PULL INTO THE RIGHT LANE. OTHER CAR SLOWED AND SWERVED TO AVOID MY VEHICLE. ANY ACCELERATION WAS NOT POSSIBLE. ATTEMPTED TO SAFELY DECELERATE THE VEHICLE. BRAKES WERE NOT PERFORMING AS TYPICALLY EXPECTED. A FEW MORE LOAD THUMPS (2-3) OCCURRED. LOOKED OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR AND SAW SPARKS FLYING BEHIND VEHICLE. DIDN'T REALIZE IT AT THE TIME BUT THE DRIVE SHAFT COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED WITH MY VEHICLE AND WAS SENT BOUNCING THROUGH TRAFFIC. APPROXIMATELY, 3-5 CARS INITIALLY AVOIDED IT. SAFELY FOUND A WIDE SHOULDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE WHILE COASTING. LOUD BANG OCCURRED AS VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOPPED. I CHECKED ALL 4 TIRES BECAUSE INITIAL THOUGHT WAS A TIRE BLEW OUT. ALL TIRES WERE INTACT. IMMEDIATELY CALLED AAA FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE REPORTING ENGINE ISSUE. NOTICED STRONG SMELL OF AUTOMOTIVE OILS/GREASE. LOOKED UNDER CAR AND SAW A "THREADED STEM" STICKING OUT OF REAR AXLE WITHOUT ANY THING ATTACHED. NOTICED DRIVE SHAFT WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE. TOOK PICTURES OF THE AREA AND WAITED FOR AAA. I DID ATTEMPT TO WALK BACK A LITTLE WAYS TO SEE IF I COULD LOCATE THE DETACHED DRIVE SHAFT BUT I WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN FINDING IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704490

120,000 miles · Mar 28, 2015

Power Train

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PINION NUT CAME OFF, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE AND NEAR COLLISION, I SENT THE LETTER BELOW TO CHRYSLER, WITH NO RESPONSE. OCTOBER 12, 2013 CHRYSLER CORPORATION: I HAVE OWNED 5 DODGE RAMS, A 95,98,99,2006,2008; THE 2008 WAS SOLD TO ME WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY... UNTIL I NEEDED IT. AFTER 5 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP (CHRYSLER SERVICE NOW TELLS ME THAT I WAS REQUIRED TO HAVE MY VEHICLE INSPECTED WITHIN A 30 DAY WINDOW OF ITS 5TH BIRTHDAY TO PRESERVE THE WARRANTY. WHO KNEW THIS? LIFETIME MEANS LIFE-TIME, RIGHT? MY DIFFERENTIAL JUST SUFFERED FROM A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHEN THE PINION NUT BACKED OFF AND THE PINION GEAR WAS PINCHED BETWEEN THE HOUSING AND THE RING GEAR AT 60 MPH, BLOWING OUT THE CAST IRON HOUSING, THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT AND I NEARLY COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. BENNY BOYD OF LAMPASAS TEXAS HAD REBUILT THE DIFFERENTIAL A YEAR PRIOR TO THE 5 YEAR MARKER, IT IS MY ASSERTION THAT HAD THE WORK BEEN DONE PROPERLY THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. ALL OF THE DODGE RAM DEALERSHIPS IN MY AREA CLAIM THAT I DO NOT HAVE THE WARRANTY I HAVE BRAGGED ABOUT, AND COUNTED ON, AND WILL NOT REPAIR IT. I AM SCREWED!! I WAS QUOTED $4,000.00 DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIR AT CECIL ATKINS IN BURNET TEXAS. FRIDAY OCT 11TH I NEEDED THE WARRANTY THAT CAME WITH MY TRUCK, BUT IT WAS NOT THERE. THE SERVICE PEOPLE SEEMED AFRAID TO EVEN TELL ME, THEY TOO SEEMED ASHAMED OF THIS LOOPHOLE. SHAME ON CHRYSLER. AFTER THE LOYALTY I HAVE SHOWN YOU FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS, ALL THE PRAISE FOR YOUR PRODUCTS, AND WORD OF MOUTH ADVERTISING I HAVE GIVEN YOU, I EXPECT TO BE TREATED BETTER THAN THIS, WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR ME BEFORE I LOSE FAITH IN YOU? [XXX] LOYAL CUSTOMER INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702352

84,459 miles · Mar 22, 2015

Power Train

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I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH IN THE CENTER LANE OF VERY HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN MY TRUCKS 4-WHEEL LOW LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED TO FLASH AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER, MY TRUCK SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND MADE A LOUD CRUNCHING GRINDING NOISE AND WITHIN SECONDS MY TRUCK HAD SLOWED DOWN TO 30 MPH. I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. NOW IN A PANICKED STATE OF MIND NOT KNOWING WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED, I SOMEHOW WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, GOT MY TRUCK ACROSS THE LANES OFF TRAFFIC AND OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. MY TRUCK WAS NOW STUCK IN 4 WHEEL LOW. I HAD TO DRIVE AROUND 10 MILES HOME WITH THE TRUCK IN THIS CONDITION, DRIVING ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WITH MY FLASHERS ON. I HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO MY DODGE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE TRUCK MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING IT TO SHIFT INTO 4 WHEEL LOW. NUMEROUS TRIPS BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN, HAS MADE ME FEEL VERY UNSAFE ABOUT DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR ON THE FREEWAY. TWO YEARS AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. CHRYSLER SPECIALISTS SAY THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. BESIDES BEING A HAZARD TO DRIVE IT IS COSTING ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AND THEY NEVER FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A WARRANTY ISSUE THAT THEY ARE REFUSING TO HONOR. THE COMPONENT THAT FAILED IS THE DRIVE TRAIN, THE TRANSFER CASE TO BE EXACT.

NHTSA ODI #10706736

67,452 miles · Mar 11, 2015

Power Train

I AM CONCERNED WITH THE REAR PINION RETAINING NUT PROBLEM I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD ABOUT ON THESE VEHICLES. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE AN EXPANDED RECALL AS I DON'T WANT TO BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HAVE MY REAR DIFF LOCK UP OR EXPLODE INTERNALLY IF ITS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10693456

92,440 miles · Mar 10, 2015

Power Train

FRONT OUTPUT SHAFT(AXEL) ON TRUCK FAILED AT 68,768 MILES REPLACED WITH OEM PART, FRONT SHAFT FAILED AGAIN AT 92,440 MILES REPLACED AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10693341

84,459 miles · Feb 27, 2015

EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

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I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF TRAFFIC AT 70 MPH WHEN MY 4WL LITE FLASHED,I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND MY TRUCK JERKED VIOLENTLY, I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN REAR ENDED. MY TRUCK IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN TO 30MPH RIGHT AFTER THE LOUD NOISE. I THEN HAD TO GET ACROSS TWO LANES OF SPEEDING FREEWAY TRAFFIC TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE. AFTER I MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND CALMED MY NERVES, I DID DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND DISCOVERED THAT MY TRUCK HAD SHIFTED ITSELF INTO FOUR WHEEL LOW AT 70 MPH. I LIMPED MY TRUCK HOME, STUCK IN FOUR WHEEL LOW, CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND TOOK IT TO MY DODGE DEALER. ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER AND NUMEROUS TRIPS BACK TO VARIOUS DEALERSHIPS TO GET THIS WARRANTY WORK FIXED, AND OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED AND CHRYSLER CONSIDERS THE CASE CLOSED. I'M AFRAID NOW AFTER THIS INCIDENT TO TAKE MY TRUCK ON THE FREEWAY AS I FEEL IT IS NOT SAFE FOR ME OR THE DRIVERS AROUND ME. NEXT TIME I MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691071

135,000 miles · Jan 20, 2015

Power Train

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH THE REAR AXLE PINION NUT LOOSENED ITSELF OFF CAUSING THE DRIVE SHAFT TO DROP. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A LOUD BOOM AND LOOSE CONTROL WHILE ON THE FREEWAY LUCKILY NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE NEAR MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME. CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 RAM 1500 TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 27, 2008, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2009, AND FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009, THROUGH OCTOBER 20, 2011. THIS VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN THAT TIME FRAME ON JULY 2, 2008 AS A 2008 MODEL BUT I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THEY CONTACTED IT DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL AND GAVE ME A QUOTE FOR $6000 TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676663

Official recalls

16V352000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 24, 2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

15V313000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

May 26, 2015

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.

13V528000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Nov 6, 2013

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. 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 and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.

13V529000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

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.

11V350000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

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

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

AQ14003 · Chrysler's Execution Of 13V-528 & 529

Opened Oct 20, 2014 · Closed May 16, 2016

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

RMD opened this audit query (AQ) investigation in order to better understand and evaluate Chrysler's process(es) for timely and efficient execution of its safety recall campaigns, including its oversight and management of its parts division Mopar.Prior to opening this investigation, RMD had raised concerns with the company related to its execution of two safety recalls, 13V-528 and 13V-529, both of which involved safety defects that could cause the involved vehicles, FCA?s heavier Dodge Ram trucks, to lose steering control suddenly and without warning.Specifically, RMD inquired about the availability of parts for recall repairs, by email and phone on January 15, 2014 and February 19, 2014, due to the volume of complaints it was receiving from owners alleging parts scarcity and parts restrictions. FCA steadfastly denied it had placed parts restrictions on its dealers to manage issues of parts scarcity.FCA shared material showing it had uncommitted stock of parts available for its dealers. Nevertheless, consumer complaints of lack of parts continued.RMD made independent inquiries tosome dealers tobetter understand the conflicting claims between owners alleging lack of ability to repair their defective vehicles due to lack of parts, and FCA?s information showing availability of parts.Dealers informed and provided documentation to RMD on February 21, 2014 and February 25, 2014 showing FCA had, in fact, put into place parts restrictions and, further, had in some instances canceled dealerships? back orders for parts.In addition, during the course of its dialogue with dealers, RMD discovered that FCA had notified their dealerships on February 27, 2014 to return the recall remedy parts over quality concerns, and had therefore effectively canceled its safety recall program without notification to NHTSA. RMD issued a request for information (IR) on October 21, 2014.The company failed to respond to a number of the questions RMD asked that required it to produce specifics surrounding the repairs and parts ordering process with the recalls, including a question about whether a dealer order for recall parts could be canceled and under what circumstances.