NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
164 reportsClear category filter98,000 miles · Aug 20, 2015
SteeringSuspension
FROM 45 TO 70 MPH. IF YOU HIT A BUMP JUST RIGHT IN THE ROAD IT WILL CAUSE THE STEERING TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND HAVE TO SLOW TO 30 MPH TO BRING BACK TO NORMAL. BALL JOINTS STEERING STABILIZER TRACK BAR HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED TRUCK HAD BEEN TO SHOP FOR ALIGNMENT. TIRES WERE PUT ON AROUND 90K AND TRUCK HAD AROUND 98K WHEN DEATH WO…
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FROM 45 TO 70 MPH. IF YOU HIT A BUMP JUST RIGHT IN THE ROAD IT WILL CAUSE THE STEERING TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND HAVE TO SLOW TO 30 MPH TO BRING BACK TO NORMAL. BALL JOINTS STEERING STABILIZER TRACK BAR HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED TRUCK HAD BEEN TO SHOP FOR ALIGNMENT. TIRES WERE PUT ON AROUND 90K AND TRUCK HAD AROUND 98K WHEN DEATH WOBBLE STARTED HAPPENING I DO NOT FEEL SAFE HAULING ANYTHING WITH THIS VEHICLE OR HAVING MY FAMILY RIDE WITH ME.
NHTSA ODI #10750196
77,000 miles · Aug 13, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED A VIBRATION AS WELL AS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT INDEPENDENTLY REPLACED THE SHOCKS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED A VIBRATION AS WELL AS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT INDEPENDENTLY REPLACED THE SHOCKS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA ODI #10748450
52,000 miles · Jul 30, 2015
Steering
AROUND SEPTEMBER 2014 I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH. THE ROAD I WAS ON CURVED TO THE RIGHT. AS I WAS COMING OUT OF THE CURVE MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE BACK THE THE CENTER POSITION. I HAD TO FORCE IT TO THE CENTER POSITION. A SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED BY DODGE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. EVER SINCE THE THE REPAIR WAS MADE I HAVE HAD TO H…
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AROUND SEPTEMBER 2014 I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH. THE ROAD I WAS ON CURVED TO THE RIGHT. AS I WAS COMING OUT OF THE CURVE MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE BACK THE THE CENTER POSITION. I HAD TO FORCE IT TO THE CENTER POSITION. A SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED BY DODGE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. EVER SINCE THE THE REPAIR WAS MADE I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY PICK UP ALIGNED TWICE. THE TRUCK NOW HAS 63000 MILES. NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING ON. I WILL STILL BUY RAM TRUCKS AS I AM A LOYAL CUSTOMER BUT I AM LITTLE LEERY OF THE STEERING SYSTEM ON THIS ONE.
NHTSA ODI #10745023
89,770 miles · Jul 7, 2015
Service BrakesSteering
THE UPPER STEERING HOSE INNER PLASTIC TUBE BECOMES LOOSE OR BREAKS AND LODGES INTO THE METAL FITTING WHICH CAUSES A LOUD HISSING NOISE UNDER THE STERRING WHEEL. BECAUSE IT IS ALSO CONNECTED TO THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL BECOMES UNSAFELY SOFT. DODGE/RAM NEEDS TO RECALL THIS AS IT A KNOWN ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND BECOMES A REA…
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THE UPPER STEERING HOSE INNER PLASTIC TUBE BECOMES LOOSE OR BREAKS AND LODGES INTO THE METAL FITTING WHICH CAUSES A LOUD HISSING NOISE UNDER THE STERRING WHEEL. BECAUSE IT IS ALSO CONNECTED TO THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL BECOMES UNSAFELY SOFT. DODGE/RAM NEEDS TO RECALL THIS AS IT A KNOWN ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND BECOMES A REAL DANGER WHEN BRAKING HARD OR TOWING.
NHTSA ODI #10732524
Mileage unknown · May 11, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING) TWO YEARS AGO; HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10715753
60,000 miles · May 4, 2015
SteeringSuspension
I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS "WOBBLE" OR VIBRATION/SHAKE ISSUE FOR ABOUT A YEAR IN THE FRONT END. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE I HIT AN EXPANSION JOINT AND THE FRONT END SHOOK AND WOBBLED IN A WAY THAT DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND ASKED FOR A FULL INSPECTION. THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. …
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I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS "WOBBLE" OR VIBRATION/SHAKE ISSUE FOR ABOUT A YEAR IN THE FRONT END. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE I HIT AN EXPANSION JOINT AND THE FRONT END SHOOK AND WOBBLED IN A WAY THAT DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND ASKED FOR A FULL INSPECTION. THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE TRUCK AND EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE EVERY SO OFTEN AND IT KEPT GETTING WORSE. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE FRONT STEERING STABILIZER SO I CHANGED IT. NO DIFFERENCE. I CHANGED ALL 4 SHOCKS. NO DIFFERENCE. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS THE TIRES WHICH WERE CLOSE TO THE END OF THEIR MILEAGE LIFE. STILL EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO INSPECTED IT AND SAID IT WAS THE TRACK BAR. I ASKED IF THE FAILURE COULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE TIE ROD RECALL AND WAS TOLD NO. THEY REPLACED THE PART WITH MY PERMISSION.THE STEERING SEEMED TIGHTER. AT FIRST IT SEEMED TO HAVE SOLVED THE ISSUE. A FEW MONTHS LATER I HIT AN EXPANSION JOINT AND GOT WHAT PEOPLE REFER TO AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE" - THE FRONT END SHOOK SO BAD I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 30 MILES AND HOUR BEFORE IT SMOOTHED BACK OUT. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO MY REGULAR DEALER. THEY KEPT MY TRUCK 4 DAYS - THEY SAID THEY TOOK IT OUT A FEW TIMES AND FINALLY EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE I REPORTED. THEY SAID THE DRAG LINK JOINTS WERE LOOSE. AGAIN I ASKED IF THIS COULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE TIE ROD RECALL AND WAS TOLD NO. AFTER A THOROUGH TEST DRIVE I STILL DON'T FEEL THE ISSUE IS FIXED - IT'S BETTER, BUT NOT GONE COMPLETELY. I AM HEADED BACK TO THE DEALER IN THE MORNING. I KNOW THE ROADS EVERYWHERE SUFFER FROM LACK OF REGULAR UPKEEP BUT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW A TRUCK WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES COULD POSSIBLY NEED TO HAVE THESE PARTS REPLACED SO SOON - ESPECIALLY FOR THE PREMIUM PRICE I PAID FOR THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10714535
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2015
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10691761
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V529000 (STEERING) AND 11V3500000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MAD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V529000 (STEERING) AND 11V3500000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10683067
75,000 miles · Feb 12, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX AND THE STEERING ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX AND THE STEERING ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10682903
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2015
EngineFuel System, DieselSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V529000 (STEERING) AND 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V529000 (STEERING) AND 14V635000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 4/6/15*CN THE RECALL WAS RECTIFIED. UPDATED 04/09/15*JB
NHTSA ODI #10682079
Official recalls
5Dec 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.
Oct 13, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.
Oct 8, 2014
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Diesel
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured March 27, 2009, to September 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the electrical connectors of the diesel fuel heater may overheat.
Consequence: If the connectors overheat, the fuel heater may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the harness side connector with a silver plated beryllium copper terminal service kit, and inspect the fuel heater for leaks, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Chrysler issued interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on April 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P65.
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.
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
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.
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