Chrysler is recalling 1.2 million Dodge Ram trucks to correct an issue that could cause a loss of steering. About 94,000 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokees are also being recalled because of electronic problems that could disable two safety systems.
The Ram recall involves the 2008-2012 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, as well as 2008 Ram 1500 Mega Cabs. Finally, model-year 2008-2012 Ram 4500 and 5500 4×4 chassis cabs are also under recall .
The campaigns target about 453,000 vehicles with steering-system tie rods that may not have been aligned correctly on assembly or steering-system service. The vehicles will be inspected and any found to have suspect tie-rod assemblies will have components replaced at no cost to the customer.
Chrysler added that it is “casting the net wider than necessary” to identify all the vehicles that require a repair. Affected customers will be notified by mail in December with instructions to make service appointments as early as January. Customers with affected 4500 and 5500 models can take their trucks to Chrysler Group dealers for interim service, since replacement parts may not be available until late 2014.
The company informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a report on Friday about the problems in the Jeep Grand Cherokees , reports The New York Times . The Chrysler report explained that a software problem with the SUVs’ anti-lock braking module could disable the anti-lock brakes and electronic stability-control systems.
According to the company, the issue could also cause the “illumination of multiple warning lights” and a loss of lighting in the instrument cluster. This isn’t the first recall for Chrysler’s Dodge Ram over steering problems. The company recalled almost 243,000 of the trucks in 2011 because of a possible “loss of directional stability.”
About 968,000 of the recalled Rams are in the United States, 157,000 are in Canada, 37,100 were sold in Mexico, and 18,000 were sold in other countries.
