Fiat Chrysler is recalling 1.8 million Ram pickups. The trucks can shift out of park due to a problem with the shift interlock and roll away without pressing the brake pedal.
The company said the problem is potentially related to seven injuries and a “small number” of accidents. According to FCA, testing show the interlock is exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time. The interlock is designed to keep the transmission from shifting out of park when the brake pedal isn’t depressed and there is no key in the ignition.
The recall is limited to trucks with shifters on the steering column. Rotary-dial shifters or floor-mounted shifters are not impacted by the recall. Model year 2017 trucks build after Dec. 31, 2016, are also exempt.
Trucks covered by the recall are certain 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups; 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs; and 2016 and 2017 Ram 3500 chassis cabs of less than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
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Certain 2009 through 2017 Ram 1500 pickups are also included in the recall. Most of the affected trucks are in the U.S., with the rest in Canada and Mexico, plus about 15,000 outside of the North American Free Trade zone.
Tom McCarthy, Fiat Chrysler’s head of safety compliance and product analysis, told the Detroit News the automaker will fix the faulty shifters. He advised customers to use their parking brakes and to ensure that children are not left alone in the trucks.
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A fix is in the works and owners will be notified when it’s available. In the meantime, Ram customers can visit mopar.com and look under the “My Vehicle” tab and click on “Recalls” to see if their truck is part of the action. Owners can also call (866)-220-6747 with questions.
