Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
330–25K
2125–50K
1750–75K
1675–100K
12100–150K
9150K+
108 reports with mileage · 117 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.
Steering. Review the 164 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports5 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
225 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:13V529000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:13V529000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10575003
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE ORIGINAL PARTS WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT SINCE THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED IN NOVEMBER OF 2…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE ORIGINAL PARTS WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT SINCE THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED IN NOVEMBER OF 2013, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A REMEDY AVAILABLE BEFORE MARCH OF 2014. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10574383
39,224 miles · Mar 21, 2014
Steering
ON 3/22/2012 DODGE RECALLED AND REPLACED A TIE ROD REPORTED TO BE DEFECTIVE. ON 7/ 3/ 2012 THE REPLACED TIE ROD BROKE WHILE DRIVING, DODGE REPLACED AGAIN. ON 3/22/2012 THE SAME LEFT TIE WAS AGAIN REPLACED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. WE ARE CONCERNED AND BELIEVE THE TIE ROD COMPONENTS ARE UNDER ENGINEERED . ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN AS A…
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ON 3/22/2012 DODGE RECALLED AND REPLACED A TIE ROD REPORTED TO BE DEFECTIVE. ON 7/ 3/ 2012 THE REPLACED TIE ROD BROKE WHILE DRIVING, DODGE REPLACED AGAIN. ON 3/22/2012 THE SAME LEFT TIE WAS AGAIN REPLACED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. WE ARE CONCERNED AND BELIEVE THE TIE ROD COMPONENTS ARE UNDER ENGINEERED . ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF THIS AND DODGE IS REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE CRITICAL STEERING PART WITH ANOTHER UNDER ENGINEERED COMPONENT.THE THREADED END OF THE TIE ROD BALL JOINT I SIMPLY TO SMALL. WE HAVE HAD CONTINUAL OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING NOW AT 60K MI. A BLOWN ENGINE. WE HAVE FILED A LEMON LAW SUIT AND DODGE REJECTED IT.PEOPLE WERE AT GREAT RISK WITH THESE STEERING ISSUES,PLEASE HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573960
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V529000 (STEERING) AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10573433
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE PARTS ON RECALL WERE ALSO BEING RECALLED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT SINCE THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED IN NOVEMBE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE PARTS ON RECALL WERE ALSO BEING RECALLED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT SINCE THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED IN NOVEMBER OF 2013, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A REMEDY AVAILABLE BEFORE MARCH OF 2014. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10572794
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V529000 (STEERING) AND WAS INFORMED BY MANUFACTURER THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 04/29/14 MA THE CONSUMER STATED AS OF 4/16/14 THE NECESSARY PART T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V529000 (STEERING) AND WAS INFORMED BY MANUFACTURER THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 04/29/14 MA THE CONSUMER STATED AS OF 4/16/14 THE NECESSARY PART TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BECOME AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/2/2014 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10569399
473,334 miles · Mar 14, 2014
Steering
WAS NOTIFIED OF RECALL CHRYSLER N49, NHTSB 3V 529000, IN DEC 2013. NOTICE STATED CALL YOUR DEALER IN 1ST WEEK OF JAN 2014. I HAVE BEEN WAITING NOW 3 MONTHS FOR PART TO COME IN TO DEALER. WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THE NEW PART HAS BEEN RECALLED. THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT WHEN THE PARTS ARE RELEASED …
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WAS NOTIFIED OF RECALL CHRYSLER N49, NHTSB 3V 529000, IN DEC 2013. NOTICE STATED CALL YOUR DEALER IN 1ST WEEK OF JAN 2014. I HAVE BEEN WAITING NOW 3 MONTHS FOR PART TO COME IN TO DEALER. WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THE NEW PART HAS BEEN RECALLED. THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT WHEN THE PARTS ARE RELEASED BY CHRYSLER, ONLY 1 PART WILL BE SENT TO THE DEALER EVERY OTHER WEEK. MY DEALER NEEDS OVER 200 TO FILL THE ORDER THAT ARE NOW WAITING. DO THE MATH, THAT MEANS IT WILL BE OVER 7 YEARS TO FILL THE ORDERS. IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE OR NOT. IF IT IS, SHOULD I PARK THE TRUCK. IS NHTSB GOING TO FINE CHRYSLER FOR NOT TAKING CARE OF THE RECALL. CAN NHTSB FORCE CHRYSLER TO REPLACE MY TRUCK. IF IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10569308
8,000 miles · Mar 13, 2014
Steering
TRUCK HAS BEEN RECALLED 3 TIMES NOW FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. STEERING TIE ROD BROKE WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE FIRST RECALL IN JULY 2013. THE PART GOT RECALL AGAIN IN DECEMBER OF 2013 FOR THE SAME PART. TO THIS DAY, THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT PART, AND CHRYSLER STATED THERE IS A DANGER DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINC…
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TRUCK HAS BEEN RECALLED 3 TIMES NOW FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. STEERING TIE ROD BROKE WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE FIRST RECALL IN JULY 2013. THE PART GOT RECALL AGAIN IN DECEMBER OF 2013 FOR THE SAME PART. TO THIS DAY, THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT PART, AND CHRYSLER STATED THERE IS A DANGER DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE NEW AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10569033
26,482 miles · Mar 12, 2014
SteeringSuspension
THE TRUCK HAS A DEATH WOBBLE AND STEERING LINKAGE N64 WAS SCHEDULE TO BE REPLACED BY A SAFETY RECALL BY MANUFACTURE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I WAS PUT ON A LIST AROUND MID FEBRUARY BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULD ONLY GET SO MANY REPLACEMENT PARTS A MONTH. I CALLED MONDAY 10 MARCH 2014 TO GET AN UPDATE AND WAS TOLD THAT…
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THE TRUCK HAS A DEATH WOBBLE AND STEERING LINKAGE N64 WAS SCHEDULE TO BE REPLACED BY A SAFETY RECALL BY MANUFACTURE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I WAS PUT ON A LIST AROUND MID FEBRUARY BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULD ONLY GET SO MANY REPLACEMENT PARTS A MONTH. I CALLED MONDAY 10 MARCH 2014 TO GET AN UPDATE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS CANCELED BY CHRYSLER DUE TO THE PART WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. I CALLED CHRYSLER NATIONAL RECALL CENTER AND WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT OTHER PARTS ARE THE PROBLEM AND THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER AND I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A PART CAN BE DEFECTIVE THEN DECLARED NOT DEFECTIVE. DODGE HAS 1000'S OF THESE 3/4 AND 1 TON TRUCKS OUT THERE THAT THE STEERING LINKAGE MAY BREAK AT ANYTIME. MOST OF THESE TRUCKS ARE PULLING 5000+ LOADS DOWN THE ROAD. THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED BY SUBSTANDARD PARTS USED BY THE MANUFACTURE. NO OTHER MANUFACTURE HAS THIS STEERING ISSUE WITH THERE TRUCKS. I HAVE ENCLOSED A YOU TUBE LINK. (HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=Z6H5EH261GW) (HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=BWVG63GP81U). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10568907
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V529000(STEERING). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE RECALL SERVICE WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR, AS THE MANUFACTURER HAD ALSO RECALLED THE REPAIR PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V529000(STEERING). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE RECALL SERVICE WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR, AS THE MANUFACTURER HAD ALSO RECALLED THE REPAIR PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *TR
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 (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.
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.
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.
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
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.
2011 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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