FCA USA is recalling 2021-2023 model year Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, and 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel engine because an electrical short may occur in the heater grid relay with the ignition on or off. More than 300,000 Ram pickup are involved and they all have the safety defect, according to a filing just made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The problem period began on 3 August 2020, when production of Ram 2500 vehicles, equipped with the Relay began, and ended on 1 February 2023, when FCA US LLC no longer built vehicles with the defective relay. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. This recall is an expansion of and supersedes recall number 21V-798. (autoinformed.com on: Ram Recalls 1.3 Million Pickups for Sudden Tailgate Openings)
Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC’s number for this recall is 13A. This recall is an expansion of and supersedes NHTSA recall number 21V-798. 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.nhtsa.gov.
Chronology
- On October 10, 2022, the FCA US Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (“TSRC”) organization reopened an investigation into 2021-2023 MY Ram 2500, 3500, and 3500/4500/5500 Cab Chassis trucks as a result of a detection of a potential trend of engine compartment fires in vehicles built after the Recall 21V-798 (FCA US No. Y76) clean point.
- From October 2022, through January 2023, TSRC analyzed fire patterns, witness statements, and vehicle histories to confirm the events were trend-related.
- During December 2022 and January 2023, FCA US Engineering conducted root cause analysis, including an assessment of the potential involvement of the heater grid relay.
- As of February 2023, FCA US identified six customer assistance records, three warranty claims, and six field reports potentially related to this issue for all markets with dates of receipt ranging from July 2022 to January 2023.
- As of February 2, 2023, FCA US is aware of zero accidents and zero injuries potentially related to this issue for all markets.
- On February 2, 2023, FCA US determined, through the Vehicle Regulations Committee, to conduct a voluntary safety recall of the affected vehicles.
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.
Ram 2021-23 Pickups and Cab Chassis Recalled for Fires
FCA USA is recalling 2021-2023 model year Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, and 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel engine because an electrical short may occur in the heater grid relay with the ignition on or off. More than 300,000 Ram pickup are involved and they all have the safety defect, according to a filing just made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The problem period began on 3 August 2020, when production of Ram 2500 vehicles, equipped with the Relay began, and ended on 1 February 2023, when FCA US LLC no longer built vehicles with the defective relay. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. This recall is an expansion of and supersedes recall number 21V-798. (autoinformed.com on: Ram Recalls 1.3 Million Pickups for Sudden Tailgate Openings)
Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC’s number for this recall is 13A. This recall is an expansion of and supersedes NHTSA recall number 21V-798. 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.nhtsa.gov.
Chronology
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.