Chrysler Issues Recall For 2009, 2010 Dodge Ram Pickups

Chrysler has announced a recall of certain Dodge Ram trucks from the 2009 and 2010 model years. According to a bulletin issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some of those vehicles may have flawed braking systems, which could increase the possibility of an accident -- not just for Ram drivers, but also for the people behind them.

The flaw in question affects only diesel models with the hydroboost braking system. As per the NHTSA bulletin, those units "may be equipped with a power steering reservoir cap with excessive vent pressure levels that may result in brake pedals that are slow to return". Obviously, any impediment to braking is a major safety hazard for drivers.

Unfortunately, the problem also affects the trucks' brake lights, which may be similarly slow to bounce back. That might not be a big deal for Ram drivers themselves, but it could cause folks behind them to brake unnecessarily, which might also cause collisions.

Chrysler has said that it won't begin repairing the affected vehicles until February 2011, which seems like a fairly slow fix time -- especially when considering that 76,122 vehicles are at risk. The repair will involve replacement of the power steering reservoir cap, which will be done free of charge.

If you have questions, we encourage you to contact your local dealer, or call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 and reference recall #K33. Alternately, you can contact the NHTSA at 888-327-4236 and ask about recall campaign #10V616000.

link:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1052511_chrysler-issues-recall-for-2009-2010-dodge-ram-pickups

Chrysler recalling 76,000 Ram pickups over braking concerns

by Zach Bowman (RSS feed) on Dec 14th 2010 at 4:31PM

Chrysler is recalling 76,112 Dodge Ram trucks for a problem that may result in brake pedals that don't return as quickly as they should. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the issue is specific to 2010 and 2011 model year diesel trucks. Models made between March 2009 and October 2010 may have been built with power steering reservoir caps with "excessive vent pressure levels." Somehow, the faulty power steering cap causes the brake pedals to be slow to return.

We aren't entirely clear on how the power steering cap impacts the braking system, but NHTSA says that the danger isn't that drivers won't be able to stop their trucks – the brakes release when they should. Instead, the vehicle's brake lights will stay illuminated for too long, increasing the likelihood of an accident.

Chrysler says it has received 175 reports of the issue, but it has received no reports of any accidents or injuries stemming from the defect. Chrysler will notify owners of affected trucks that it will inspect and replace the power steering reservoir cap for free as necessary. Hit the jump to see the full NHTSA campaign report.

Gallery:Review: 2009 Dodge Ram

[source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Show full PR text

Vehicle Make / Model:

Model Year(s):

DODGE / RAM

2010-2011

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Mfr's Report Date: DEC 07, 2010

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V616000

N/A

NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID Potential

Number of Units Affected: 76122 Summary:

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DODGE RAM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2009 THROUGH OCTOBER 2010. SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINE AND A HYDROBOOST BRAKE SYSTEM MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A POWER STEERING RESERVOIR CAP WITH EXCESSIVE VENT PRESSURE LEVELS THAT MAY RESULT IN BRAKE PEDALS THAT ARE SLOW TO RETURN.

Consequence:

BRAKE LIGHTS THAT ARE SLOW TO EXTINGUISH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:

CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR CAP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Notes:

CHRYSLER SAFETY RECALL NO. K33. 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 .

link:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/14/chrysler-recalling-76-000-ram-pickups-over-braking-concerns/

STOP IT: RAM JOINS TOYOTA, RECALLS 76,000 TRUCKS OVER BRAKE ISSUE

By Mark Kleis

Earlier today, Leftlane reported that Toyota would be recalling its 2011 Sienna over braking concerns, and now Chrysler’s Ram truck brand joins the list of brands announcing recalls due to brake related safety issues.

For the Ram trucks, the problem interestingly stems not from a traditionally known core component of the brake system, but rather from a cap for the power steering fluid system. Due to the cap allowing excessive vent pressure levels, the brake pedal can be slow to return to its normal position, which leaves the brake lights on longer than intended.

To make sense of the issue, one would need to understand that the Hybroboost brake system runs off of the power coming from the power steering pump, which has the advantage of being far more powerful than a traditional braking system.

The issue is limited to 76,122 trucks, model years 2010 and 2011, and on trucks equipped with a Cummins diesel engine and the Hydroboost brake system. Ram is scheduled to officially begin replacing the caps when the recall gets underway in February.

link:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/stop-it-ram-joins-toyota-recalls-76000-trucks-over-brake-issue.html