Recalls

Chrysler recalling nearly 243,000 Ram pickups over tie rod concern

2010 Ram 3500 Laramie Mega Cab
2010 Ram 3500 Laramie Mega Cab
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Chrysler has announced a recall that affects 242,780 Ram pickups manufactured between 2003 and 2011. This includes the 2008 Ram 1500, and 2003-2011 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty trucks.

According to the official recall statement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these trucks may have a defective left tie rod ball stud that can fracture during low-speed parking maneuvers. According to NHTSA:

This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.

To remedy this potential problem, dealers will inspect the tie rod ends and perform an alignment if necessary. NHTSA states that Chrysler has not yet provided an owner notification schedule, but we'd expect this recall to ramp up within the coming weeks. Follow the jump for NHTSA's official statement.
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Vehicle Make / Model:

DODGE / RAM 1500
DODGE / RAM 2500
DODGE / RAM 3500

Model Year(s):

2008
2003-2011
2003-2011

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
Mfr's Report Date: JUL 06, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V350000
NHTSA Action Number: PE11009
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Potential Number of Units Affected: 242,780

Summary

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 3500 CAB CHASSIS 4X2, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH MARCH 28, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 MEGA CAB 4X4, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008. BECAUSE THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE.. THIS CONDITION TENDS TO OCCUR DURING LOW SPEED PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS WHEN THE CUSTOMER IS MAKING A TIGHT TURN. ADDITIONALLY, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 DODGE RAM 2500/3500 VEHICLES MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE AFFECTED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY AS A REPLACEMENT PART DURING NORMAL SERVICE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN THE LEFT HAND FRONT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD ENDS FOR RELATIVE ORIENTATION AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD AS REQUIRED AND PERFORM A FRONT END TOE ALIGNMENT AS NEEDED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Notes

CHRYSLER SAFETY RECALL NO. L16. 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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