Dodge recalling 72,000 Rams and nearly 17,000 Journeys from 2008-09
The 2008 and 2009 Dodge Ram and 2009 Dodge Journey are being recalled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, each for a different reason. The Ram's windshield wiper motor isn't adequately protected from water, so it could fail completely due to water intrusion. Initial numbers suggest 72,138 Rams are affected. The fix is a stop at the dealership to have some vented wiper motor housings installed.
Some 16,852 Dodge Journeys that do not have the optional 115-volt auxiliary power outlet are also being recalled. The unused electrical connector for that optional component could potentially cause a fire. It's the second fire-related recall for the Journey, and akin to the unused connector issue that affected the Town & Country and Grand Caravan. Dealers will remove the fuse and reroute the wiring. Full info on both recalls is available after the jump.
Gallery: Review: 2009 Dodge Ram
Gallery: Review: 2009 Dodge Journey R/T
[Source: NHTSA: Ram, NHTSA: Journey]
PRESS RELEASE:
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
DODGE / RAM 2008-2009
Manufacturer: CHRYSLER LLC Mfr's Report Date: MAR 09, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V084000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
Potential Number of Units Affected: 72136
Summary:
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 72,136 MY 2008-2009 LIGHT AND HEAVY DUTY RAM PICKUP TRUCKS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.
Consequence:
WHEN THE WIPER SYSTEM FAILS, THE OPERATOR WILL HAVE REDUCED VISIBILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLIES WITH VENTED WIPER MOTOR HOUSINGS FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Notes:
CHRYSLER RECALL NO. J10. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
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PRESS RELEASE:
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
DODGE / JOURNEY 2009
Manufacturer: CHRYSLER LLC Mfr's Report Date: MAR 09, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V082000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 16852
Summary:
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 16,852 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY EQUIPPED WITHOUT OPTIONAL 115 VOLT AUXILIARY POWER OUTLET. AN UNUSED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE OPTIONAL 115 VOLT AUXILIARY POWER OUTLET OPTION MAY BECOME CORRODED AND COULD SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence:
IF THE FUSE FOR THIS CIRCUIT DOES NOT BLOW, THE CONNECTOR COULD OVERHEAT AND POTENTIALLY CATCH FIRE.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE AND STOW THE 115 VOLT AUXILIARY POWER OUTLET CONNECTOR AND PULL THE 25 AMP FUSE TO REMOVE POWER FROM THIS UNUSED CIRCUIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Notes:
CHRYSLER RECALL NO. J09. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Nude Love 4:03PM (3/23/2009)
That Journey is a handsome car.
If I was on the market, I would take a look at that.
Reply
lu1de 4:56PM (3/23/2009)
that's one fiery car
Jimothy 9:06PM (3/23/2009)
I've owned or leased two Dodge Dakotas and currently own a Charger, but if I were in the market for a people mover, I'd gravitate to the Ford Flex or Edge over the Journey. Granted, both are significantly higher priced than the Journey, especially with Dodge's "Employee Pricing Plus" promotion, but in the style department, they've got Dodge beat easily.
The Ram, on the other hand, is truly one handsome vehicle. If Chryler can stick around long enough to complete their design transition (particularly with regards to interiors) that started with the '09 Ram, they'll have some fine vehicles. For now, though, if I were in the market for anything other than a light-duty full size truck, Ford would probably receive my money.
MemphisNET 4:10PM (3/23/2009)
Good that they're easy fixes -- bad that they're fire and water damage related issues.
Reply
chconline 5:02PM (3/23/2009)
Additionally, on the positive side, the dealer can recover some of its cost by fixing the cars rather than the now unprofitable business of selling Chrysler vehicles (:x).
Franz 4:10PM (3/23/2009)
Recalls... every manufacturer has 'em.
Reply
Len_A 8:57PM (3/23/2009)
Exactly.
JDMlover 10:47PM (3/23/2009)
But some more frequent then others.....
FASTLANE 4:13PM (3/23/2009)
Well, So the "Handsome" 2009 dodger ram turned out to an unreliable piece of crap!
That's why It won't never beat the F-150.
Another reason to consider the 2009 F-150 though!
Reply
Yar 4:21PM (3/23/2009)
"That's why It won't never beat the F-150."
Double negative. Does that mean it will beat the F-150?
Franz 4:29PM (3/23/2009)
An unreliable piece of crap? Dude... it's just an early problem. Probably an oversight: not all potential problems show themselves during vehicle testing. More often than not, it takes real world usage for weaknesses to show up. If the Dodge Ram is an unreliable piece of crap due to weather sealing problems on the wiper motor, what would you call the F-150? I distinctly remember them recalling over 600,000 of them last year for issues with the brake boosters causing them to lose power assist.
Sea Urchin 4:51PM (3/23/2009)
If you ask average American, can you name two most important safety issues ever with a vehicle, most will name Ford Pintos and Ford Explorers with Firestone tires. Heck and the fact that some Ford SUVs catch fire for no reason at all.
Chrysler is definatly on the right path and the new RAM is great, i have yet to see a negative review. Ram is a truck, that is great to drive, F150 is a wannabe construction worker vehicle. And Journey is a revolutionary vehicle, which i believe is one of the best selling cars in Canada.
Yaroukh 5:19PM (3/23/2009)
> Chrysler is definatly on the right path
Would you mind if i borrowed your crystal ball?
> Ram is a truck, that is great to drive, F150 is a wannabe construction worker vehicle
Er, nevermind. Forget about the ball.
Sea Urchin 5:43PM (3/23/2009)
Yaru, well there's no need for a Chrystal bowl. Just look at Chryslers latest cars, Journey is great, Ram is great, Challenger is amazing.
Tagg 10:45PM (3/23/2009)
Sea Urchin,
The Journey has a cheap, tupperware interior. Plus the Avenger came out less than a year before the "amazing" Challenger which has come in last in every reveiw comparing it with the Mustang and Camaro and is only been out a year.
The Ram is the only exception and it splits comparos with the F-150.
The reason people will name the Explorer and Pinto is because people were actually effected by those recalls. For people to be effected you have to SELL cars. Chrysler hasn't sold a car in the volume of an Explorer in decades, perhaps ever.
cjklepadlo 10:59AM (3/24/2009)
Fastlane, You forgot about the F150'a catching on fire. Several people lost their homes because of their Ford trucks being parked in their attached garages. Ford Finally stepped up to the plate and issued a recall. Remember the faulty brake switches for the cruise control? http://www.fordfires.com/
Hamud 4:28PM (3/23/2009)
Nothing serious. Would not be a reason to not look at the Ram if I was on the market for this kind of vehicle.
Tho I would prefer the Ford anyway.
Reply
gslippy 4:31PM (3/23/2009)
It would be merciful if the Journeys burned - without occupants, of course.
Reply
Greg Aryous 4:49PM (3/23/2009)
No wonder Chrysler/Dodge is at the bottom of most quality and dependability surveys. These defects should have been caught in the manufacturing process, especially the wiring issue, repeated on the T&C... shameful!
I guess Chrysler has never heard of 6-sigma quality control...
Reply
knoffc 5:20PM (3/23/2009)
Wasn't Toyota one of the most recalled brands last year? Just because a vehicle is recalled doesn't mean it's poorly made.