Ram pickup trucks are by far the best sellers at Chrysler Group, which translates into huge recalls.
Chrysler Group is now in the process of organizing three Ram truck recalls affecting 1.2 million vehicles after six accidents and two injuries involving model-year 2008-2012 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. There is apparently at least one additional accident with no injuries claimed thus far. Some Ram models will not be repaired until late next year, according to a NHTSA filing just made pubic now that the Federal Government is open for business after the Republican shut down.
One Ram recall will inspect 842,400 model-year 2003-2008 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks to find approximately 116,000 repaired with tie-rod assemblies that could become “misaligned.” This problem could lead to steering loss, one of the worst automotive safety defects.
Two additional campaigns are being conducted to capture those vehicles known to have tie-rod assemblies linked to previous recalls. They comprise 294,000 model-year 2008-2012 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, chassis cabs and 2008 Ram 1500 4×4 Mega Cabs; plus 43,500 model-year 2008-2012 Ram 4500 and 5500 4×4 chassis cabs.
Affected customers will be notified by mail next month with instructions for making service appointments. Work could begin as early as January. Customers who own affected 4500 and 5500 models may bring their vehicles to Chrysler Group dealers for interim service comprised of component inspections and, if necessary, realignment because replacement parts may not be available until the end of 2014.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
