FCA Recalls RAM Pick-up Trucks for Bed Step Failures

Not a step up so to speak.

Chrysler (FCA) is recalling 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 Pick-up trucks equipped with an accessory bed step. “In certain side loading conditions, the bed step may unexpectedly fail while in use,” Chrysler said in the required NHTSA filing. The remedy is to change the support brace to a different design or remove the bed step on ~40,000 Ram pickups. (New Part Number 68526144AA. Bad Part Number : 82215842AC)

On 26 February 2020, Mopar Body Engineering notified the FCA US Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance (“VSRC”) organization of a potential problem with the bed step breaking when in use after a side-load is applied to the step.

From February 27, 2020, through March 3, 2020, FCA US VSRC reviewed field data to understand the scope of the issue. FCA identified 27 warranty claims, and zero field reports potentially related to this safety defect. As of March 30, 2020, FCA US is not aware of any accidents or injuries potentially related to this defect. On April 02, 2020, FCA US determined, through the Vehicle Regulations Committee, to conduct a voluntary safety recall of the affected vehicles.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bed step support brace, free of charge as required by US law. The recall is expected to begin May 29, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s numbers for this recall are W24 and W44.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.safercar.gov.