TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 09/09/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE,…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 09/09/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, WHEN HE PUT THE GEAR IN REVERSE. UPDATED 09/16/15*JB
NHTSA ODI #10734242
4,200 miles · Jul 15, 2015
Power TrainSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE BOUNCED UP AND DOWN APPROXIMATELY TWENTY TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE V…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE BOUNCED UP AND DOWN APPROXIMATELY TWENTY TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING BAR FRACTURED AND THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,200.
NHTSA ODI #10734229
101,800 miles · Jun 25, 2015
Power Train
TURNED KEY ON, PUT GEAR SELECTOR INTO N POSITION. ALLOWED TRUCK TO ROLL FORWARD, DOWNHILL 12". TRIED TO PUT INTO PARK AND IT CONTINUED TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. I HAD STARTED TO OPEN THE DOOR TO GET OUT AS IT STARTED TO ROLL. TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO PUT IT INTO PARK BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT METHODS, I.E. ENGINE RUNNING, NOT …
Read full complaint
TURNED KEY ON, PUT GEAR SELECTOR INTO N POSITION. ALLOWED TRUCK TO ROLL FORWARD, DOWNHILL 12". TRIED TO PUT INTO PARK AND IT CONTINUED TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. I HAD STARTED TO OPEN THE DOOR TO GET OUT AS IT STARTED TO ROLL. TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO PUT IT INTO PARK BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT METHODS, I.E. ENGINE RUNNING, NOT RUNNING, REVERSED PRIOR STEPS ETC. REPAIR SHOP SAID SOMETHING IS BROKEN INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THEY STATED IT WILL HAVE TO BE TORN APART TO FIND THE PROBLEM, MOST LIKELY A COMPLETE REBUILD? WE JUST GOT BACK FROM A VACATION HAULING A 38' 17,000# 5TH WHEEL RV. WHAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HILLS AT SENICA LAKE OHIO CAMPGROUND? MANY PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED! AT A BEAR MINIMUM THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING POSTED TO SET EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE PUTTING INTO PARK, EVERY SINGLE TIME!
NHTSA ODI #10730440
31,000 miles · Jun 10, 2015
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING TRUCK, THROTTLE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND LIGHTENING BOLT COMES UP. CAR THEN LOSES ALL POWER AND IT DIES. NO NOTICE. VERY SCARY. COULD CAUSE SERIOUS OR FATALITY ACCIDENT SINCE THERE IS NO NOTICE AND IT JUST GOES FROM 60 - 0. DEALER HAS HAD THE TRUCK IN HALF A DOZEN TIMES AND STILL CANNOT …
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING TRUCK, THROTTLE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND LIGHTENING BOLT COMES UP. CAR THEN LOSES ALL POWER AND IT DIES. NO NOTICE. VERY SCARY. COULD CAUSE SERIOUS OR FATALITY ACCIDENT SINCE THERE IS NO NOTICE AND IT JUST GOES FROM 60 - 0. DEALER HAS HAD THE TRUCK IN HALF A DOZEN TIMES AND STILL CANNOT FIX THE ISSUE. CHRYSLER HAS GIVEN ME CASE MANAGER, BUT THEY CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT EITHER. THEY HAVE TRIED A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT IT IS NOT FIXING THE ISSUE. NOW DEALER SAYS THEY DONT KNOW WHAT IT IS AND THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI #10724482
124,000 miles · Nov 5, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainService Brakes
MY DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT 80 MPH IN CRUISE CONTROL WHEN HE STARTED TO NOTICE A VIBRATION FROM THE TRUCK THAT WAS SHAKING THE MIRRORS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL AND STARTED TO DECELERATE. AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH A LARGE BANG WAS HEARD FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK WAS LIFTED OFF OF THE P…
Read full complaint
MY DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT 80 MPH IN CRUISE CONTROL WHEN HE STARTED TO NOTICE A VIBRATION FROM THE TRUCK THAT WAS SHAKING THE MIRRORS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL AND STARTED TO DECELERATE. AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH A LARGE BANG WAS HEARD FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK WAS LIFTED OFF OF THE PAVEMENT. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE TURNED SLIGHTLY SIDEWAYS WHEN IT CAME BACK DOWN INTO CONTACT WITH THE PAVEMENT WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH! THANKFULLY MY DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT BUT WHEN HE PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. HE WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EVENTUALLY BRING IT TO A STOP. PARTS FROM THE TRUCK HAD BEEN STREWN DOWN THE INTERSTATE OVER APPROXIMATELY 200 YDS. THERE WAS A VEHICLE TRAVELING BEHIND MY DRIVER AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT BUT LUCKILY THEY WERE FAR ENOUGH BEHIND THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTIONS TO AVOID ANY FLYING DEBRIS. THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR AFTER INCIDENT ACCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED THOUGH I WOULD ATTRIBUTE THIS TO THE ALERT AND RESPONSIVE DRIVING OF BOTH MY DRIVER AND THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE BEHIND HIM. HAD THERE BEEN A VEHICLE DIRECTLY BEHIND OR TO THE SIDE OF HIM THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES OR DEATH. THIS VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DODGE RAM DEALER WHERE WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT WAS THE PART THAT FAILED. WE WERE INFORMED BY DEALER PERSONNEL THAT THIS DRIVE SHAFT HAS A JOINT THAT IS NON-SERVICEABLE NOR EASILY INSPECTED AND THAT THIS WAS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. OTHER PARTS THAT WERE EFFECTED WERE THE TRANSFER CASE (THE CASE WAS BROKEN IN TWO PIECES AND THE INTERNALS WERE BLOWN OUT), TRANSMISSION CRACKED BEYOND REPAIR, BRAKE LINES HAD BEEN SEVERED, FUEL LINES HAD BEEN SEVERED AND A HOLE WAS PUNCHED THROUGH THE CAB BOTTOM INTO THE PASSENGER AREA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10652823
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, DieselPower Train
2012 DODGE RAM 3500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIE ROD ASSEMBLY RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE TIMES, WHERE HE COULDN'T OBTAIN A SPEED GREATER THAN 40 MPH. ALSO, HE WAS EXPERIENCING POOR FUEL ECONOMY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10632859
28,950 miles · Aug 22, 2014
Power Train
TRAVELING CLOSE TO MAX LEGAL HIGHWAY SPEED FOR THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I WAS TRAVELING ON. FELT AND SOUNDED LIKE TWO FRONT TIRES BLEW AND WAS TRAVELING ON THE RIMS (SPARKS AND SOUNDS AND RESPONSIVENESS ON VEHICLE). PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVELINE GOING INTO THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAD SEPARATE…
Read full complaint
TRAVELING CLOSE TO MAX LEGAL HIGHWAY SPEED FOR THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I WAS TRAVELING ON. FELT AND SOUNDED LIKE TWO FRONT TIRES BLEW AND WAS TRAVELING ON THE RIMS (SPARKS AND SOUNDS AND RESPONSIVENESS ON VEHICLE). PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVELINE GOING INTO THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAD SEPARATED. IT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE TRANSFER CASE IN THE REAR. THE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND APPROXIMATELY ONE FOOT OF DRIVE SHAFT WAS CHERRY RED. BEARING RACE WAS FOUND ON SIDE OF ROAD AND HAD STARTED A SMALL FIRE (WAS PUT OUT BY DRIVER). APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS A GOUGE OUT OF TRANSMISSION HOUSING (LESS THAN AN INCH AT A JOIN BOLT), SLIGHT DENT IN TRANSMISSION PAN, TORN (~2") TEAR IN DIFFERENTIAL WHERE DRIVE SHAFT ENTERS FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. DRIVE SHAFT AND WHAT IS LEFT OF FRONT BEARING ARE FREE TO TURN BY HAND. DIFFERENTIAL FLUID (ASSUMED) WAS COVERING MOST SURFACES ON UNDERCARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. UP TO ACCIDENT ALL APPEARED NORMAL EXCEPT FOR A SLIGHT INTERMITTENT INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM (200-300 RPM) ABOUT 5 MILES PRIOR, ONCE WHILE CLIMBING A HILL EASTBOUND OUT OF SPOKANE ON INTERSTATE, AND JUST BEFORE FAILURE OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE AND BOTH RECOVERED PARTS AT DODGE DEALERSHIP IN KENNEWICK WA. INCIDENT REPORTED TO DODGE. DAMAGE TO HIGHWAY OBSERVED TO BE A GOUGE (2-3' LONG APPROX 2" MAX DEEP) OUT OF PAVED SHOULDER OF INTERSTATE. TRAFFIC TO HEAVY TO SAFELY CHECK ROADWAY, BUT NO APPARENT DAMAGE OBSERVABLE BY DRIVER FROM SHOULDER OF ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627436
7,000 miles · Apr 24, 2014
Power TrainSteeringVisibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIE ROD FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD FAILED ON ANOTHER OCCASION AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT AND GEA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIE ROD FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD FAILED ON ANOTHER OCCASION AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT AND GEAR BOX. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CASTOR HAD FAILED WHICH CAUSED HIS TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL GAP BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE FRAME AND THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
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 (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on September 18, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.
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 Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 RAM 3500 trucks manufactured May 4, 2012, through August 7, 2012; and model year 2012 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured May 3, 2012, through August 7, 2012. Due to a loose snap ring inside the transmission, there may be a loss of power transfer through the transmission to the wheels.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An unexpected loss of power transfer may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission assembly free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N50.
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.
2012 Dodge RAM 3500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration