Ram Recalls 1.3 Million Pickups for Sudden Tailgate Openings

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Chrysler (FCA US, part of the Stellantis mega-merger) is recalling more than 1.3 million 2019-2022 model-year Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate may not latch properly due to misaligned tailgate strikers. Misaligned tailgate strikers may not properly latch the tailgate, which may cause an unintended tailgate opening while driving or stationary.

Customers, however, will not be notified until January 2023. Stellantis advises owners to secure cargo in the beds. Vehicles equipped with Ram’s multi-function tailgate and Ram 1500 Classic pickups are unaffected. Also excluded are vehicles equipped with sensors that alert drivers to insecure tailgates.

Dealers will inspect the tailgate striker alignment to the box latch and adjust, if necessary, free of charge as required by law. Owner notification letters according to the required NHTSA filing are expected to be mailed 27 January 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC’s number for this recall is ZB8. 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.

Ram Tailgate Recall Chronology

• On July 27, 2021, the FCA US LLC (“FCA US”) Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (“TSRC”) organization opened an investigation as a result of information provided by the FCA US Proactive Sensing Group related to potential incidents of some 2019-2021 MY Ram 1500 tailgates opening while driving.
• From July 29, 2021, to August 16, 2022, the FCA US TSRC organization continuously monitored field data for potentially related incidents.
• From November 29, 2021, to November 7, 2022, FCA US TSRC regularly reviewed field data with FCA US Engineering to determine whether any underlying trend existed and to understand the potential suspect vehicle population of any such trend.
• On August 16, 2022, the FCA US TSRC organization incorporated into its investigation a vehicle build issue on certain vehicles related to the tailgate unintentionally falling.
• As of November 22, 2022, FCA US has identified 15 customer assistance records, 736 warranty claims, and101 field reports potentially related to this safety defect for all markets with dates of receipt ranging from June 25, 2019, to November 8, 2022.
• As of November 22, 2022, FCA US is not aware of any accidents or injuries potentially related to this issue for all markets.
• On December 01, 2022, FCA US determined, through the Vehicle Regulations Committee, to conduct a voluntary safety recall of the affected vehicles.
• The recall also affects vehicles in Canada (est. 120,759), Mexico (est. 26.613) and certain markets outside North America (est. 27,404).