NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
175 reportsClear category filter145,000 miles · Jul 6, 2019
Power Train
1. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE TRUCK MY SERVICE 4WD DRIVE LIGHT COMES IN AND WHEN I SLOW DOWN AT 30MPH OR LOWER IT GOES OFF. I CHANGED OUT THE 4WD MOTOR ALREADY AND STILL HAVE THE ISSUE. 2. WHEN I RELEASE THE GAS IN TOWN AT A SPEED OF 40MPH OR LESS YOU CAN HEAR A CLICKING COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. WHEN I PUT IT IN TOW/HAUL TH…
Read full complaint
1. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE TRUCK MY SERVICE 4WD DRIVE LIGHT COMES IN AND WHEN I SLOW DOWN AT 30MPH OR LOWER IT GOES OFF. I CHANGED OUT THE 4WD MOTOR ALREADY AND STILL HAVE THE ISSUE. 2. WHEN I RELEASE THE GAS IN TOWN AT A SPEED OF 40MPH OR LESS YOU CAN HEAR A CLICKING COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. WHEN I PUT IT IN TOW/HAUL THE NOISE WILL GO AWAY THOUGH.
NHTSA ODI #11229785
127,000 miles · May 30, 2019
Power TrainSteering
PULLING OFF A ROADWAY MAKING A RIGHT TURN, TRUCK STALLED, CANT TURN STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING! EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!! RESTARTED IT, VERY HARD TO START LIKE IT WAS OUT OF TIME.AFTER RESTART, DROVE ABOUT TWO MILES , AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DINGED THE WARNING CHIME. CONTINUED TO FLASH ENGINE LIGHT. HAD TH…
Read full complaint
PULLING OFF A ROADWAY MAKING A RIGHT TURN, TRUCK STALLED, CANT TURN STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING! EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!! RESTARTED IT, VERY HARD TO START LIKE IT WAS OUT OF TIME.AFTER RESTART, DROVE ABOUT TWO MILES , AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DINGED THE WARNING CHIME. CONTINUED TO FLASH ENGINE LIGHT. HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT CODE READ AND THE PROBLEM IS # 5 CYLINDER MISFIRE. WORN LIFTER OR CAMSHAFT.THIS ISSUE SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A TRUCK WITH PERFECT MAINTENANCE! AT 125,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11210789
171,599 miles · Mar 31, 2019
Power Train
AT 171599 MILES REAR AXLE PINION SEAL FAILED. HIGH PITCH HOWLING SOUND WAS EXPERIENCED WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED. SEAL FAILURE RESULTED IN LOSS OF REAL AXLE OIL WHICH LEAD TO PINION BEARING FAILURE. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT ALL REAR AXLE COMPONENTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POSSIBLE METAL CONTAMINATION.
NHTSA ODI #11192751
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS WITH DICK POE CHRYSLER JEEP (6501 MONTANA AVE, EL PASO, TX 79925, (915) 778-9331), BUT THEY WERE CANCELLED EACH TIME DUE TO PART UNAVAILABILITY. THE RECALL NOTIFICAT…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS WITH DICK POE CHRYSLER JEEP (6501 MONTANA AVE, EL PASO, TX 79925, (915) 778-9331), BUT THEY WERE CANCELLED EACH TIME DUE TO PART UNAVAILABILITY. THE RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED MONTHS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11170560
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2018
Power Train
2011 DODGE RAM 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SAFETY RECALL NO. T79/NHTSA 17V-821. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIRS. *JS
NHTSA ODI #11142014
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2018
Power Train
ON 5/30/2017 WE HAD THE REAR END REPLACED ON MY 2011 DODGE RAM 1500 BY THE DEALER IN OCEAN NJ. I EXPLAINED TO THEM BEFORE THE WORK WAS DONE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PINION BEARING THAT I JUST HAD DONE PREVIOUSLY. I EXPLAINED THAT WAS MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE THAT THE REAR END WOULD HAPPEN TO GO AND WAS NOT DAMAGED BEFORE RE…
Read full complaint
ON 5/30/2017 WE HAD THE REAR END REPLACED ON MY 2011 DODGE RAM 1500 BY THE DEALER IN OCEAN NJ. I EXPLAINED TO THEM BEFORE THE WORK WAS DONE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PINION BEARING THAT I JUST HAD DONE PREVIOUSLY. I EXPLAINED THAT WAS MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE THAT THE REAR END WOULD HAPPEN TO GO AND WAS NOT DAMAGED BEFORE RECALL WAS DISCOVERED. THEY DECIDED THEY I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR LABOR AND THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE PARTS, WHICH COST ME $1032.00 AND THEY PAID $727.00. THIS REAR END PROBLEM WAS ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA , BLOGS AND FORUMS ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING SAME ISSIUE. I WAS ALSO NEVER TOLD ABOUT BUYBACK PROGRAM THAT WAS ANNOUNCED, AND WHEN I ASKED DEALER THEY SAID TO ME THAT THE 2011 DODGE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM WHICH WAS NOT TRUE AT ALL.
NHTSA ODI #11132332
134,000 miles · Sep 24, 2018
Power Train
WHILE IN MOTION THE VEHICLE STARTED A LOUD GROWL NOISE, IT WAS HESITANT TO ADVANCE, IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS DRAGGING FROM THE BACK WHEELS AND STRUGGLE TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD, I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR. I COULD STOPPED, PARK ON A SIDE STREET AND HAD A MECHANIC COME AND CHECK IT. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR A…
Read full complaint
WHILE IN MOTION THE VEHICLE STARTED A LOUD GROWL NOISE, IT WAS HESITANT TO ADVANCE, IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS DRAGGING FROM THE BACK WHEELS AND STRUGGLE TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD, I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR. I COULD STOPPED, PARK ON A SIDE STREET AND HAD A MECHANIC COME AND CHECK IT. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR AXLE BEARING CLENCHED, THE ADVICE WAS NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANYMORE AS IT REPRESENTED A SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA ODI #11130913
124,071 miles · Aug 31, 2018
Power Train
THE VEHICLE STARTED CUTTING OUT HAVING A MISS IN WHAT THE CODE CALLED CYLINDER 3 WE TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE AND THEY TOLD US IT IS THE LIFTER AND THE CAM WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI #11123791
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2018
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN DECEMBER OF 2017. THE DEALER (OURISMAN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF BOWIE, 2406 CRAIN HWY, BOWIE, MD 20176) STATED THAT THE PA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN DECEMBER OF 2017. THE DEALER (OURISMAN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF BOWIE, 2406 CRAIN HWY, BOWIE, MD 20176) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. **TR CONSUMER STATED NO ADDITIONAL ACTION REQUIRED AS BOTH "RECALL" CONCERNS HAVE BEEN CORRECTED BY A DEALER (DODGE) PER CHRYSLER'S APPROVAL. 1)9-5-18 T79 SAFETY RECALL 2) 8-1-18 V04 FRAME BRACKET. UPDATED 10/19/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #11115135
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2018
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. QUIGLEY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (565 PA-100, BOYERTO…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. QUIGLEY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (565 PA-100, BOYERTOWN, PA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER NOT SUPPLYING THE SOFTWARE FOR VEHICLE MODELS UNDER 2013. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11105285
Official recalls
4Mar 8, 2018
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.
Dec 20, 2017
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.
Feb 6, 2013
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.
Dec 24, 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RAM 1500 TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCE A NOISE (GROWL, GRIND) COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE BEARING WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY SEIZE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FAILURE OF THE BEARING COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL INSTALL AN OIL PORT INSERT INTO THE REAR AXLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 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
1EA19001 · 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.
Illustration