37,000+ Dodge Ram pickups recalled over... faulty HVAC software?!
Dodge is recalling 37,407 Ram pickups from the 2009 model year to repair faulty software that controls the manual temperature controls (not the digital dual-zone temp controller).
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the system's faulty programming can render defrosting and defogging functions inoperable, which could impinge upon visibility and lead to a crash. The recall begins next month and dealers will reprogram the module at no cost.
Back in late March, Dodge also recalled some 72,000 new Ram trucks over a windshield wiper motor defect.
You can read the full text of the recall after the jump.
[Source: NHTSA]
PRESS RELEASE:
RECALL NOTICE
Vehicle Make / Model: DODGE / RAM
Model Year(s): 2009
Manufacturer: CHRYSLER LLC
Mfr's Report Date: MAY 05, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V158000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:AIR CONDITIONER
Potential Number of Units Affected: 37407
Summary:
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 37,407 MY 2009 DODGE RAM LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL (MTC) ONLY. THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE HEATING VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING MODULE MAY CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING FUNCTIONS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence:
THIS CAN DECREASE THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS AND RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE HVAC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-835-1403.
Notes:
CHRYSLER RECALL NO. J12. 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 1)
MemphisNET 1:47PM (5/12/2009)
Don'tcha just love computers?!
Reply
IOMTT 3:07PM (5/12/2009)
HAL (2000 a Space Odyssey)
Taglane 1:49PM (5/12/2009)
"Can result in a crash without warning"
well if your window is foggy as hell and you can't see, that's pretty much all the warning someone needs. gtfo the car.
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Level 1:54PM (5/12/2009)
You forget we live in the land of idiots lol
Randy 2:49PM (5/12/2009)
LOL - Right on!
Now as a temporary solution, how about paper towel! :) Cost effective aye?
That One Person 4:43PM (5/12/2009)
I had to deal with a craptastic defrost/defog system for THREE FREAKIN YEARS in my 94 Escort. I could have the thing on full blast and I take one breath and the whole car would fog up and take about 15 minutes to defog. You know what I did? I kept a freaking rag in my car.
What also sucked was that there were mornings when there would be more ice inside the car than outside...
Yaroukh 1:50PM (5/12/2009)
"Eat it, Ford!"
Reply
Randy 2:52PM (5/12/2009)
What?
What does Ford's Quality Trucks have to do with a Dodge Recall? Did your post end up in the wrong place?
Yaroukh 5:45PM (5/12/2009)
no, i was kidding
"if Ford can have 9000 vehicles recall, we will have 4x times more!"
kaslings 1:53PM (5/12/2009)
So Saab 9-5s have a pretty well known problem where the blower door can skip a gear and the air will no longer divert to the floor or windshield, meaning defrost/defot doesn't work, and your feet freeze. It's pretty common, and the dealers want about $2300 to fix it. But Saab doesn't issue a recall....
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Epyx 1:55PM (5/12/2009)
Recalls only deal with safety issues not annoyances.
Well, I guess you could get hypothermia and die.
David 2:23PM (5/12/2009)
Epyx- the issue he just described is the same as the one Dodge is issuing a recall for. That's the point. It's a safety recall for Dodge, but not for Saab?
It shouldn't be a 'safety' recall for either. If you're dumb enough to drive with fogged up windows, you shouldn't have a license to drive.
Ryan M 8:59PM (5/12/2009)
Yeah that's a kicker isn't it. Fortunately there's a much cheaper way to fix it now, google around. (It just sounds like maybe, _maybe_ you have a 9-5 afflicted by this)
chad.dawkins 2:05PM (5/12/2009)
inb4thisiswhytheyareinbankruptcyandtoyotaneverecallsanything
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MemphisNET 2:09PM (5/12/2009)
No, they just sweep problems under the carpet and pay people off (Taco-frame-rot?) -- because the 1st rule of Toyota club is, don't diss Toyota club.
souldoubt88 2:23PM (5/12/2009)
sigh...
1.35 million is alot more than 37000
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28891251/
http://www.motortrend.com/used_cars/01/toyota/recalls/index.html
you are dumb
JDM Life 2:13PM (5/12/2009)
What the hell is going on with Ford & Dodge....THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE 09 MODELS.
gesh.....not giving even a little room for hope.
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souldoubt88 2:23PM (5/12/2009)
9,000 because the brke light might be delayed and needs adjusting doesnt strike me as a reason to give up hope.
Greg Aryous 2:23PM (5/12/2009)
JDM (getta) Life: These are only minor recalls (defroster and slow brake light) and your losing hope? I guess its too bad it wasn't an engine exploding or tranmission dropping out of the car like the good ole days (70's) when detroit quality really was crap!
IOMTT 3:09PM (5/12/2009)
Some people will not notice they can not see through the foggy windshield...too busy texting.
Reply