Click to Enlarge.
FCA US is recalling an estimated 446,643 U.S.-market vehicles because their wheels can fall off. Dealers will correct their service and owner’s manuals, and inspect and replace their wheel studs, as needed. The recall also affects additional vehicles in Canada (est. 31,086), and certain markets outside North America (est. 104). An estimated 32,365 Ram 4000 cab-chassis trucks are affected in Mexico.
In an unusual statement FCA said: “routine customer data analysis led to an FCA US investigation that discovered certain service and owner’s manuals contain incorrect lug-nut torque instructions. Accordingly, the corresponding vehicles may have had their lug nuts over-torqued, a condition that could conceivably compromise studs and lead to wheel separation.”
FCA claimed that there is no component defect, and torque applied during vehicle assembly is within specification, so the recall condition may only be present in vehicles that have been subject to wheel-removal as part of a service or upfit procedure. The Company claimed it is unaware of any related injuries or accidents.
Dealers are now in possession of correct service instructions, and production vehicles are now being delivered with updated owner’s manuals. The safety defect recall is limited to vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels and flanged lug nuts. Affected are model-year 2012-2021 Ram 3500 heavy-duty pickups, and 4500 and 5500 vehicles. FCA US will advise these customers when service becomes available. Anyone with additional questions or concerns may call 1-800-853-1403.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), 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.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
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 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.
Wheels Falling Off Ram Trucks. More Than 446,000 Recalled
Click to Enlarge.
FCA US is recalling an estimated 446,643 U.S.-market vehicles because their wheels can fall off. Dealers will correct their service and owner’s manuals, and inspect and replace their wheel studs, as needed. The recall also affects additional vehicles in Canada (est. 31,086), and certain markets outside North America (est. 104). An estimated 32,365 Ram 4000 cab-chassis trucks are affected in Mexico.
In an unusual statement FCA said: “routine customer data analysis led to an FCA US investigation that discovered certain service and owner’s manuals contain incorrect lug-nut torque instructions. Accordingly, the corresponding vehicles may have had their lug nuts over-torqued, a condition that could conceivably compromise studs and lead to wheel separation.”
FCA claimed that there is no component defect, and torque applied during vehicle assembly is within specification, so the recall condition may only be present in vehicles that have been subject to wheel-removal as part of a service or upfit procedure. The Company claimed it is unaware of any related injuries or accidents.
Dealers are now in possession of correct service instructions, and production vehicles are now being delivered with updated owner’s manuals. The safety defect recall is limited to vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels and flanged lug nuts. Affected are model-year 2012-2021 Ram 3500 heavy-duty pickups, and 4500 and 5500 vehicles. FCA US will advise these customers when service becomes available. Anyone with additional questions or concerns may call 1-800-853-1403.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), 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. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. 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 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.