Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
530–25K
7325–50K
7950–75K
5875–100K
59100–150K
32150K+
354 reports with mileage · 132 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 229 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
26 crash reports3 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
486 reports
29,700 miles · Feb 9, 2011
Seat Belts
THERE IS A MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2004 AND 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB CHILD RESTRAINT UPPER TETHER STRAPS. THE 2004 MODEL YEAR DOES HAVE THE INNER ANCHOR STRAP RING(S) INSTALLED FOR ATTACHING THE CHILD SEAT TETHER STRAP HOOK. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE 2004 UPPER TETHER STRAP IS 55350981-AB. THE 2010 MODEL UPPER TETHER S…
Read full complaint
THERE IS A MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2004 AND 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB CHILD RESTRAINT UPPER TETHER STRAPS. THE 2004 MODEL YEAR DOES HAVE THE INNER ANCHOR STRAP RING(S) INSTALLED FOR ATTACHING THE CHILD SEAT TETHER STRAP HOOK. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE 2004 UPPER TETHER STRAP IS 55350981-AB. THE 2010 MODEL UPPER TETHER STRAP IS 52029441-AA. IF YOU PUT THESE TWO PARTS SIDE BY SIDE THE MOUNTING OF THE BRACKETS APPEAR TO BE THE SAME AS FAR AS MOUNTING IS CONCERNED IN THE VEHICLE. THE BRACKET FOR THE 2004 MODEL APPEARS TO BE SHORTER IN LENGTH THAN THE 2010 MODEL BUT THE OVERALL LENGTH OF THE PARTS ARE ABOUT THE SAME. THE WEBBING MATERIAL ON THE 2010 MODEL IS MADE OF A HEAVIER QUALITY (COARSE THREAD) WEBBING MATERIAL AND THE 2004 MODEL HAS A WEBBING MATERIAL (FINE THREAD) SIMILAR TO STANDARD SEAT BELT MATERIAL. CHRYSLER / DODGE HAS NOT FOLLOWED THIS FEDERAL REGULATION FOR THE UPPER TETHER ANCHORAGE ON IT?S 2010 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB 1500 TRUCK. THE CURRENT TETHER STRAP IN THE 2010 MODEL VEHICLE COULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS A TETHER ANCHORAGE POINT. ALL CHILD SEATS WITH UPPER TETHER STRAPS HAVE A METAL HOOK FOR WHICH TO CLIP INTO A TETHER ANCHOR. THE METAL HOOK ON CHILD SEAT TETHERS BY DESIGN IS NOT MEANT TO BE CLIPPED ONTO A LOOP OF WEBBING ONLY. SOME TECHNICAL ADVISORS FROM CHRYSLER / DODGE HAVE INFORMED ME AND MY DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THAT THE CHILD SEAT TETHER HOOK IS TO BE CLIPPED ONTO THE UPPER TETHER LOOP OF WEBBING. HOWEVER, IF YOU UTILIZE THE 2010 MODEL UPPER TETHER LOOP AS CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHOR THE WAY IN WHICH THIS ASSEMBLY IS MANUFACTURED WEAKENING OF THE WEBBING MATERIAL COULD OCCUR OVER TIME OR DURING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE WEBBING MATERIAL WOULD BEGIN TO BE CUT BY THE SHARP EDGES OF THE BRACKET SLOT THROUGH WHICH THE WEBBING MATERIAL GOES THROUGH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10381286
8,000 miles · Feb 7, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Traction Control SystemCrash
4 WHEEL DRIVE , ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL GOES OUT WITH FREEZING TEMPERATURE AFTER GETTING WET. *LN
NHTSA ODI #10381066
28,400 miles · Jan 28, 2011
Child Seat
CHILD SEAT TETHER STRAP ANCHOR RINGS INSTALLED ON 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. THE OWNER'S MANUAL CLEARLY STATES IN THE CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION SEQUENCE ON PAGE 75 PARAGRAPH 3 "PASS EACH TETHER STRAP HOOK UNDER THE HEAD RESTRAINT AND THROUGH THE LOOP OF WEBBING BEHIND THE CHILD SEAT" PARAGRAPH 4 STATES "ROUTE EACH TETHER S…
Read full complaint
CHILD SEAT TETHER STRAP ANCHOR RINGS INSTALLED ON 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. THE OWNER'S MANUAL CLEARLY STATES IN THE CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION SEQUENCE ON PAGE 75 PARAGRAPH 3 "PASS EACH TETHER STRAP HOOK UNDER THE HEAD RESTRAINT AND THROUGH THE LOOP OF WEBBING BEHIND THE CHILD SEAT" PARAGRAPH 4 STATES "ROUTE EACH TETHER STRAP TO THE ANCHOR BEHIND THE CENTER SEAT, AND ATTACH TO THE HOOK(S) TO THE METAL RING" ON PAGE 76 AS PICTURED ITEM 1 THE INNER ANCHOR STRAP RING(S) CLEARLY SHOWS THE REQUIRED ANCHOR RING FOR THE ATTACHMENT OF THE CHILD SEAT TETHER HOOK. THE REQUIRED 3 TETHER LOOP STRAPS ARE INSTALLED AS REQUIRED BUT DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED METAL ANCHOR RINGS ON EITHER STRAP IN ORDER TO ATTACH THE CHILD CAR SEAT TETHER HOOK. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE WISHING TO PROPERLY INSTALL A CHILD CAR/BOOSTER SEAT WHICH HAS A TETHER STRAP FOR USE. THERE IS A MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2004 AND 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB CHILD RESTRAINT UPPER TETHER STRAPS. THE 2004 MODEL YEAR DOES HAVE THE INNER ANCHOR STRAP RING(S) INSTALLED FOR ATTACHING THE CHILD SEAT TETHER STRAP HOOK. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE 2004 UPPER TETHER STRAP IS 55350981-AB. THE 2010 MODEL UPPER TETHER STRAP IS 52029441-AA. IF YOU PUT THESE TWO PARTS SIDE BY SIDE THE MOUNTING OF THE BRACKETS APPEAR TO BE THE SAME AS FAR AS MOUNTING IS CONCERNED IN THE VEHICLE. THE BRACKET FOR THE 2004 MODEL APPEARS TO BE SHORTER IN LENGTH THAN THE 2010 MODEL BUT THE OVERALL LENGTH OF THE PARTS ARE ABOUT THE SAME. THE WEBBING MATERIAL ON THE 2010 MODEL IS MADE OF A HEAVIER QUALITY (COARSE THREAD) WEBBING MATERIAL AND THE 2004 MODEL HAS A WEBBING MATERIAL (FINE THREAD) SIMILAR TO STANDARD SEAT BELT MATERIAL. COMPLAINT BEYOND 2000 CHARACTERS. 02/09/11
NHTSA ODI #10380356
28,400 miles · Jan 28, 2011
Child SeatSeat Belts
CHILD SEAT TETHER STRAP ANCHOR RINGS ON INSTALLED ON 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. THE OWNER'S MANUAL CLEARLY STATES IN THE CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION SEQUENCE ON PAGE 75 PARAGRAPH 3 "PASS EACH TETHER STRAP HOOK UNDER THE HEAD RESTRAINT AND THROUGH THE LOOP OF WEBBING BEHIND THE CHILD SEAT" PARAGRAPH 4 STATES "ROUTE EACH TETHE…
Read full complaint
CHILD SEAT TETHER STRAP ANCHOR RINGS ON INSTALLED ON 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. THE OWNER'S MANUAL CLEARLY STATES IN THE CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION SEQUENCE ON PAGE 75 PARAGRAPH 3 "PASS EACH TETHER STRAP HOOK UNDER THE HEAD RESTRAINT AND THROUGH THE LOOP OF WEBBING BEHIND THE CHILD SEAT" PARAGRAPH 4 STATES "ROUTE EACH TETHER STRAP TO THE ANCHOR BEHIND THE CENTER SEAT, AND ATTACH TO THE HOOKS TO THE METAL RING" ON PAGE 76 AS PICTURED ITEM 1 THE INNER ANCHOR STRAP RING(S) CLEARLY SHOWS THE REQUIRED ANCHOR RING FOR THE ATTACHMENT OF THE CHILD SEAT TETHER HOOK. THE REQUIRED 3 TETHER LOOP STRAPS ARE INSTALLED AS REQUIRED BUT DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED METAL ANCHOR RINGS ON EITHER STRAP IN ORDER TO ATTACH THE CHILD CAR SEAT TETHER HOOK. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE WISHING TO PROPERLY INSTALL A CHILD CAR/BOOSTER SEAT WHICH HAS A TETHER STRAP FOR USE. THERE IS A MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2004 AND 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB CHILD RESTRAINT UPPER TETHER STRAPS. THE 2004 MODEL YEAR DOES HAVE THE INNER ANCHOR STRAP RING(S) INSTALLED FOR ATTACHING THE CHILD SEAT TETHER STRAP HOOK. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE 2004 UPPER TETHER STRAP IS 55350981-AB. THE 2010 MODEL UPPER TETHER STRAP IS 52029441-AA. IF YOU PUT THESE TWO PARTS SIDE BY SIDE THE MOUNTING OF THE BRACKETS APPEAR TO BE THE SAME AS FAR AS MOUNTING IS CONCERNED IN THE VEHICLE. THE BRACKET FOR THE 2004 MODEL APPEARS TO BE SHORTER IN LENGTH THAN THE 2010 MODEL BUT THE OVERALL LENGTH OF THE PARTS ARE ABOUT THE SAME. THE WEBBING MATERIAL ON THE 2010 MODEL IS MADE OF A HEAVIER QUALITY (COARSE THREAD) WEBBING MATERIAL AND THE 2004 MODEL HAS A WEBBING MATERIAL (FINE THREAD) SIMILAR TO STANDARD SEAT BELT MATERIAL. COMPLAINT BEYOND 2000 CHARACTERS. UPDATED 02/09/11 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10379387
300 miles · Jan 25, 2011
Power Train
I BOUGHT NEW 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 TRX 4X4 MODEL QUAD CAB FROM DAY ONE I GET NOISE AND VIBRATION COMING FROM REAR OF TRUCK AND IS NOTICEABLY WORSE WHEN WINDOWS ARE DOWN IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERS SHOP OVER 4 TIMES AND STILL HAS PROBLEM BOUGHT NEW IN NOVEMBER 2009. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378675
700 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE IGNITION AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS RESET THE COMPUTER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CAM …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE IGNITION AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS RESET THE COMPUTER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CAM AND CRANK SENSORS WHERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A THIRD TIME AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE VAPOR CANISTER AND THE LINER VALVE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED A FOURTH TIME AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS WHERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE STALLED A FIFTH TIME AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY FLUSHED THE FUEL OUT AND REPLACED THE COMPUTER MODULE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE OWNER OF THE DEALER WHO STATED HE WOULD GIVE THE CONTACT A CALL WITH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RETURNING THE VEHICLE BUT HAS NOT RETURNED THE CALL. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED A DIFFERENT TECHNICIAN WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700.
NHTSA ODI #10378407
10,000 miles · Jan 12, 2011
VisibilityCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, HE HIT A WILD TURKEY; AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. HE STATED THAT THE IMPACT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE THAT TYPE OF DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, HE HIT A WILD TURKEY; AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. HE STATED THAT THE IMPACT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE THAT TYPE OF DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 10,000.
NHTSA ODI #10376421
17,000 miles · Jan 11, 2011
EquipmentTires
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS HAVE SUFFERED TIRE FAILURE AT SPEED GREATER THAN 50 MPH. VEHICLE BROUGHT TO TIRE CENTER EACH TIME. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS TPS FAILURE. TIRE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS WERE CORRODED AND LEAD TO FAILURE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER STATED THIS IS A RECOGNIZED AND COMMON PROBLEM, IF…
Read full complaint
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS HAVE SUFFERED TIRE FAILURE AT SPEED GREATER THAN 50 MPH. VEHICLE BROUGHT TO TIRE CENTER EACH TIME. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS TPS FAILURE. TIRE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS WERE CORRODED AND LEAD TO FAILURE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER STATED THIS IS A RECOGNIZED AND COMMON PROBLEM, IF FACT THE DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT HAD RUN OUT OF SENSORS. MADE COMPLAINT TO DEALER MANAGEMENT WHO STATED THAT DODGE WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE AS A DEFECT DESPITE NUMEROUS FAILURES AND THAT THE REPAIR COSTS WERE TO BE BORN BY THE VEHICLE OWNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10376226
8,500 miles · Jan 10, 2011
Suspension
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS 2010 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED IN HALF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,500.
NHTSA ODI #10375394
12,000 miles · Jan 6, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE PCM AND TIFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY RESTARTED AND ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE PCM AND TIFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY RESTARTED AND ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE COMPUTER AND IGNITION PARTS, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U04.
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.
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; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. 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 N08.
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2010, Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota trucks, manufactured from July 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, because the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to a lack of adhesive.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
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
1
EA19001 · 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.
2010 Dodge RAM 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration