More Than 300,000 Ram Truck Owners Asked Not to Park Indoors Due to Recall Issue
It’s just the third month of the year, but the list of recalls continues. Stellantis, Ram’s parent under the U.S. operating arm of FCA, has announced that various Ram pickup trucks are getting recalled.
The recall covers particular truck models from 2021 through 2023 model years. Certain Ram 2500 and 3500 models, as well as Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 chassis cab trucks are included in the announcement. Due to the faulty connectors, the part can potentially catch fire and put the passengers at risk.
Ram’s reliability
Ram trucks are known for their impressive off-road capabilities and incredible towing capacities. It is one of the famous vehicles used by many for both commercial and personal purposes.
Oftentimes, owners of heavy-duty Ram truck models upgrade some of the parts to fully enjoy their power and performance. Putting Toyo tires in replacement for the old tires is a common upgrade. As well as putting new shoes on the vehicle with something like American Force wheels or other aftermarket wheel brands.
According to Consumer Reports, the heavy-duty Ram 2500 is marginally more reliable compared to the light-duty Ram 1500. These vehicles are popular among consumers who want a powerful tow rig or a dependable daily driver.
However, Stellantis recently released a recall announcement that has affected more than 300,000 diesel Ram trucks.
Cummins turbo diesel engine
Ram trucks are a favorite for their remarkable towing capability. The Cummins turbo diesel engine is the most powerful engine option for 2500 and 3500 pickup truck models. It can produce up to 400 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque.
Furthermore, the engine is paired with the six-speed automatic transmission that helps the pickup provide exceptional towing performance. Also, the engine of the Ram truck gives both power and reliability without compromising fuel economy.
But the affected Ram trucks in the recent recall announcement all have the same part — the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine that comes with older heater-grid connectors.
Not recommended to park indoors yet
Affected vehicles included in the recall announcement are certain Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, including 3500, 4500, and 5500 cab chassis trucks from model years 2021–2023. It is limited to those equipped with 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engines with prior-generation heater-grid relays.
Ram’s parent company traced the problem as they investigated some reports from owners. It has been found that the intake heater-grid relays on particular vehicles may overheat. In one case reported, the owner noticed that a fire started after the engine of the Ram truck was shut off. Stellantis called the incident of the fire risk minimal.
The company said they are unaware of other related injuries or accidents, but they will begin notifying affected customers in March. Ram advised the affected truck owners to park their trucks outdoors until they fixed the defects.
Other recent Ram recalls
Before the year ended in 2022, Stellantis released various recall announcements for Ram trucks, such as the following:
Fluid leak in the transmission
Reported Ram 2500 and 3500 models with 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engines and 68RFE six-speed automatic transmissions were having some issues with the transmission system. It has affected more than 248,000 units of heavy-duty pickup trucks. Ram 2500 with model years 2020 to 2023, as well as Ram 3500 with model years 2020 to 2022, were troubled by the issue.
According to reports, there has been a leakage of transmission fluid from the dipstick tube that triggers the problem. The leakage has caused a build-up of heat and pressure inside the transmission, which may potentially cause fire to the vehicle.
Owners need to be mindful of this type of recall as the heat and pressure cause fire to the truck. If the transmission fluid hits the scalding part of the engine, it may cause a chemical reaction and ignite a fire. This recall has been flagged as potentially hazardous to the driver, passengers, and valuables inside the vehicle.
Backup camera fail
Another issue that involved Ram trucks is the problem with the trailer reverse steering control module. More than 68,000 trucks experienced difficulty with the backup camera. 2021 to 2023-year models of Ram 1500 and 2023 Ram 2500 trucks are involved in the recall.
The monitor does not display images in certain situations that could lead to an accident. It has to do with a defect in the trailer reverse steering control module (TRSCM). Backup cameras are crucial, especially when the vehicle is in reverse. The backup camera is an essential piece of the federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Fire risk
The German company Eberspaecher Controls (SSIHGR supplier) and FCA conducted a root cause analysis to investigate the issue. The heavy-duty diesel models of Ram trucks have been recalled because of the fire risk. Based on the reports, some owners experienced fire incidents because of faulty truck parts.
In September 2022, Stellantis received reports of seven added fires within the relay. Based on the investigation, the solid-state intake heater relays start the fire in the affected diesel engines, such as the following:
- 67,597 Ram 2500 with model years 2021 to 2022 (built between the 3rd of August 2020 and the 8th of October 2021).
- 39,234 Ram 3500 units with model years 2021 to 2022 (built between the 5th of August 2020 and the 8th of October 2021).
- Chassis cab variants of Ram 3500 (built between the 12th of August 2020 and the 7th of October 2021).
- Ram 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs (produced between the 13th of November 2020 and the 8th of October 2021).
Importance of checking recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns truck owners to always check for recall announcements to ensure their vehicle’s safety. Manufacturers design their cars with safety as the top priority. When cars do not perform to their ultimate standards, can put the drivers and passengers at risk. Getting the concern taken care of as soon as possible is crucial to avoid danger.
Ram owners who cannot wait for the notification can check the recall by entering the vehicle identification numbers (VIN) at mopar.com/recalls. You may also visit nhtsa.gov to find out whether your vehicle is part of the recall. For additional questions, you may contact FCA’s customer service at 1–800–853–1403.
