NHTSA has launched a new investigation that could lead to the recall of as many as 1.2 million Ram trucks due to a potential rollaway problem. Reports indicate two previous recalls may not have fixed the problem. More from Headlight.News.
The latest probe covers Ram trucks produced between the 2013 through 2018 model years.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this week launched a new probe looking into reports that nearly 1.2 million Ram pickups could face rollaway problems due to faulty brake transmission shift interlocks.
The vehicles, which include both light and heavy-duty trucks, were already the subject of two prior recalls, the first dating back to 2017.
The new probe was triggered by a number of new failure reports which, said NHTSA, “occurred on vehicles that had all previously been repaired.”
What’s the problem
The two original recalls — as well as the new probe –covered both the light-duty Ram 1500 and heavy-duty models.
The very first recall covered 1.4 million Ram trucks – including everything from the light-duty 1500 up to heavy-duty 5500 packages — produced between the 2009 through 2017 model years. The problem, according to NHTSA, was that the vehicles could be shifted out of park without having a key in the ignition or putting a foot on the brake.
Normally, the brake interlock is designed to lock the vehicle in park unless the vehicle is switched on and a driver presses down on the brake pedal.
A second recall was ordered a year later due to the same issue. This time it covered 180,000 Ram trucks.
What’s the cause
New reports suggest the column shifter on Ram trucks can slip into gear even without a key or a driver’s foot on the brake pedal.
Ram, now part of Euro-American automaker Stellantis, initially attempted to fix the problem by replacing both a bracket and a solenoid.
Based on 14 new owner complaints, as well as six reports of deaths and injuries, NHTSA is looking at the possibility those repairs have proved inadequate.
The new probe, however, focuses on just 1.2 million Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500 and 5500 trucks produced from model years 2013 through 2018 fitted with a column shifter. The agency did not explain why some earlier models were not being targeted.
More Auto Safety News
- Ford Recalls 1 Mil Vehicles for Faulty Backup Cameras
- Tesla Recalls Cybertruck – Again – as Body Panels Fly Off
- Prior Ram Recall Targeted 1.2 Mil Trucks
What happens now
A Ram representative said the truck brand is “cooperating with NHTSA’s investigation.”
It’s too early to determine whether the complaints and reports filed with NHTSA actually indicate a problem that might have resulted from faulty repairs made during prior recalls. If there is determined to be a defect, however, the agency could order a third recall for some or all of the vehicles covered by the investigation.
In such an instance, Stellantis would be required to make new repairs free of charge to owners.
The agency did not set a timetable for completing the new probe.
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