Dodge recalls 2008-2011 Ram 4500, 5500 pickups over potential steering loss

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Chrysler is recalling model year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 Heavy Duty trucks. The culprit is apparently the left ball stud on the tie rod that could weaken and potentially fracture, which could result in a loss of steering control.

As NHTSA plainly states, "loss of steering control of the vehicle could increase the risk of a crash." And that's a bad thing. Directions on contacting Chrysler or NHTSA can be found after the break, and, of course, the automaker will be fixing affected models free of charge.

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Report Date : December 30, 2010 at 05:16 PM NHTSA Campaign ID number : 10V657000

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): DODGE / RAM 2008-2011 Manufacturer: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC Mfr's Report Date: DEC 23, 2010 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V657000 N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY Potential Number of Units Affected: 22,274 Summary: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 4500 AND 5500 VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A WEAKENING AND FRACTURE OF THE LEFT BALL STUD ON THE TIE ROD RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING. Consequence: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403. Notes: CHRYSLER SAFETY RECALL NO. K28. 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 .