The defect
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.
The risk
A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N49.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Dodge Ram 1500 | 2008 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 |
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 | 2008 | 317 | 7 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 2009 | 214 | 5 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 2010 | 236 | 4 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 2011 | 298 | 4 |
| Dodge Ram 2500 | 2012 | 283 | 4 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2008 | 173 | 9 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2009 | 105 | 5 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2010 | 150 | 9 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2011 | 225 | 5 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 | 2012 | 366 | 8 |
Other steering recalls in 2013
20 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the steering; Chrysler Group LLC filed 73 campaigns in all.
| 13V653000 12 Dec 2013 | Newmar Corporation |
| 13V605000 29 Nov 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V603000 29 Nov 2013 | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| 13V588000 20 Nov 2013 | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| 13V528000 6 Nov 2013 | Chrysler Group LLC |
| 13V527000 6 Nov 2013 | Chrysler Group LLC |
| 13V531000 25 Oct 2013 | Spartan Motors, Inc. |
| 13V493000 17 Oct 2013 | Mack Trucks, Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013