The defect
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008, BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. THIS CONDITION TENDS TO OCCUR DURING LOW SPEED PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS WHEN THE CUSTOMER IS MAKING A TIGHT TURN. ADDITIONALLY, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 VEHICLES MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE AFFECTED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY AS A REPLACEMENT PART DURING NORMAL SERVICE.
The risk
THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Dodge Ram 1500 | 2008 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
Components: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Ram 1500 | 2008 | 554 | 5 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 2003 | 661 | 6 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 2004 | 582 | 6 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 2005 | 422 | 6 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 2006 | 670 | 6 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 2007 | 361 | 8 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 2008 | 317 | 7 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 2009 | 214 | 5 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 2010 | 236 | 4 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 2011 | 298 | 4 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2003 | 286 | 6 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2004 | 214 | 4 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2005 | 196 | 4 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2006 | 258 | 8 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2007 | 210 | 11 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2008 | 173 | 9 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2009 | 105 | 5 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2010 | 150 | 9 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2011 | 225 | 5 |
Other steering recalls in 2011
26 of the 597 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2011 concerned the steering; CHRYSLER GROUP LLC filed 37 campaigns in all.
| 11V591000 19 Dec 2011 | GENERAL MOTORS LLC |
| 11V565000 23 Nov 2011 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 11V549000 15 Nov 2011 | HINO MOTORS SALES U.S.A., INC. |
| 11V514000 13 Oct 2011 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
| 11V446000 25 Aug 2011 | GILLIG CORPORATION |
| 11V406000 5 Aug 2011 | MASERATI NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 11V398000 5 Aug 2011 | GENERAL MOTORS LLC |
| 11V378000 26 Jul 2011 | VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2011