NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
225 reports16,800 miles · Nov 7, 2013
SteeringSuspension
I EXPERIENCED THE DODGE "DEATH WOBBLE" ON TWO OCCASIONS DURING A SHORT DRIVE YESTERDAY. FIRST WAS ON AN ON-RAMP TO THE RIGHT WITH A SLIGHT INCLINE AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 50MPH - DENVER AREA NORTHBOUND C470 RAMP TO I70 EASTBOUND. I CROSSED AN EXPANSION JOINT AT A VERY SLIGHT ANGLE TO THE VEHICLE, AND IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCE…
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I EXPERIENCED THE DODGE "DEATH WOBBLE" ON TWO OCCASIONS DURING A SHORT DRIVE YESTERDAY. FIRST WAS ON AN ON-RAMP TO THE RIGHT WITH A SLIGHT INCLINE AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 50MPH - DENVER AREA NORTHBOUND C470 RAMP TO I70 EASTBOUND. I CROSSED AN EXPANSION JOINT AT A VERY SLIGHT ANGLE TO THE VEHICLE, AND IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCED A TOTALLY UNEXPECTED VIOLENT WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END WITH A NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. IT WAS FRIGHTENING! I LIGHTLY APPLIED BRAKES WITH NO IMMEDIATE WOBBLE REDUCTION. I SLOWED, AND AT PERHAPS 30 MPH, THE FRONT END STABILIZED AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE. A FEW MILES LATER ON I70 I TOOK THE RAMP - AGAIN TO THE RIGHT BUT ON A MODEST INCLINE THIS TIME - TO HIGHWAY 58 WESTBOUND. I WAS STILL WARY AND WHEN CROSSING AN EXPANSION JOINT I AGAIN EXPERIENCE THE SAME DEATH WOBBLE, NOT AS BAD, BUT I WAS EXPECTING IT AND I WAS GOING A LITTLE MORE SLOWLY. THIS IS A SCARY DESIGN FLAW WITH A POPULAR NAME: "DEATH WOBBLE." THE SERVICE WRITER THAT I SPOKE WITH AT A LOCAL DEALER WASN'T EVEN AWARE OF THIS AS A FREQUENT ISSUE (HE OWNS THE SAME MODEL). THERE ARE A FEW AFTERMARKET KITS AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THIS FLAW WITH BEEFIER COMPONENTS AT SOME CONSIDERABLE COST. MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 16800 MILES; THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AND BALANCED ABOUT 3K MILES AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551455
66,000 miles · Nov 7, 2013
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRONT AXLE OF THE VEHICLE HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRONT AXLE OF THE VEHICLE HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
NHTSA ODI #10551433
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK GEAR, THERE WAS A LOUD THUD NOISE. UPON RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A SCRAPING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DRIVER FRONT TIE ROD HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK GEAR, THERE WAS A LOUD THUD NOISE. UPON RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A SCRAPING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DRIVER FRONT TIE ROD HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V350000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10551105
198,000 miles · Nov 3, 2013
Steering
LEFT TIE ROD END BROKE THEN BROKE AGAIN ON THE 3 NOV 2013, THIS IS THE SAME END AS THE RECALL FOR RAM MADE BEFORE MAR 2011. MINE HAS BROKE TWO . THIS VEHICLE GET POOR FUEL MILEAGE ,AND THE HEAT EXCHANGE HAS BROKE ,THE EGR VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED PLUS TWO SENSOR ABOUT $6000.FOR REPAIRS IN THE LAST MO.DODGE DENIES ITS THERE FAU…
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LEFT TIE ROD END BROKE THEN BROKE AGAIN ON THE 3 NOV 2013, THIS IS THE SAME END AS THE RECALL FOR RAM MADE BEFORE MAR 2011. MINE HAS BROKE TWO . THIS VEHICLE GET POOR FUEL MILEAGE ,AND THE HEAT EXCHANGE HAS BROKE ,THE EGR VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED PLUS TWO SENSOR ABOUT $6000.FOR REPAIRS IN THE LAST MO.DODGE DENIES ITS THERE FAULT ON THE TIE ROD END .THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I NEED HELP MY CELL IS [XXX] I DON'T HAVE A HOME PHONE BUT HAVE A FAX NUMBER. WE USE THE TRUCK FOR OVER THE ROAD DRIVING REASON FOR HIGH MILES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10550689
63,299 miles · Sep 11, 2013
Steering
BACKING TRUCK IN GARAGE, STEERING TIE ROD BROKE CLEANLY OFF, LOST ALL STEERING. NO DAMAGE (OTHER THEN BROKEN PARTS). THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AT DODGE / RAM BUT THERE IS NO RECALL ISSUED COVERING ALL 4X4 TRUCK (4X2 DOES NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE). READING ON FORUMS (CUMMINSFORUM.COM) AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A ISSUE THAT IS FAIRLY COMMON …
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BACKING TRUCK IN GARAGE, STEERING TIE ROD BROKE CLEANLY OFF, LOST ALL STEERING. NO DAMAGE (OTHER THEN BROKEN PARTS). THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AT DODGE / RAM BUT THERE IS NO RECALL ISSUED COVERING ALL 4X4 TRUCK (4X2 DOES NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE). READING ON FORUMS (CUMMINSFORUM.COM) AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A ISSUE THAT IS FAIRLY COMMON BUT CAN CREATES VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS IF HAPPENS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. TRUCK IS COMPLETELY STOCK AND GOES TO DEALER FOR SERVICE EVERY 6K MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10543095
13,321 miles · Jul 16, 2013
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension
"DEATH WOBBLE" - I HIT A BUMP WITH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. I WAS DOING 40-45 MPH AT THIS TIME. THE TRUCK FRONT END STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE, AND THEN THE REAR STARTED TO BOUNCE. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE WHEN THIS HAPPENED WITH TRAFFIC ON ALL SIDES. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND TRIED TO STEER TO THE RIGHT, THE TRUCK CONTINUE TO G…
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"DEATH WOBBLE" - I HIT A BUMP WITH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. I WAS DOING 40-45 MPH AT THIS TIME. THE TRUCK FRONT END STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE, AND THEN THE REAR STARTED TO BOUNCE. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE WHEN THIS HAPPENED WITH TRAFFIC ON ALL SIDES. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND TRIED TO STEER TO THE RIGHT, THE TRUCK CONTINUE TO GO STRAIGHT, AND THEN STARTED TO GO SIDEWAYS TO THE LEFT. ONCE MY SPEED DROPPED BELOW 5 MPH IS WHEN I REGAINED CONTROL OF MY TRUCK THIS INCIDENT WAS TERRIFYING, AND ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ARE THEY (CHRYSLER/RAM) WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE? IF YOU SEARCH ON THIS SITE FOR "DEATH WOBBLE" THEN FILTER 2011 RAM 3500 YOU COME UP WITH 125 REPORTS FOR THE 3500 SERIES TRUCK FROM 2011 - 2013. THAT IS 125 INCIDENTS. WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO CHRYSLER, ALONG WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHERS, AND WE ARE GETTING NO WHERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525183
61,000 miles · Jul 15, 2013
SteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND FROM UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE LEFT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE INTO A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND FROM UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE LEFT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE INTO A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524874
65,000 miles · Jul 10, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE TIE ROD FELL TO THE GROUND AND THE TWO FRONT TIRES TURNED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIE ROD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE TIE ROD FELL TO THE GROUND AND THE TWO FRONT TIRES TURNED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIE ROD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THE FRONT END REALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V350000 (STEERING) BUT WAS TOLD HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ASSUMED THE TOW AND REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 09/05/13*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10524097
21,000 miles · May 21, 2013
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH OVER A SMALL BUMP, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10512976
44,000 miles · May 17, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD FAILED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD FAILED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10512590
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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