Dodge Ram recall: Chrysler / Dodge recalls almost 150,000 trucks and SUVs
Dodge Ram recall – make that recalls – affect almost 80,000 trucks, while a concurrent Dodge Journey recall pulls over 85,000 SUVs.
A 2011 Dodge RAM 1500 pickup truck poses at the Planet Dodge Chrysler Jeep dealership in Doral, Fla. in this August file photo. Parent company Chrysler is recalling nearly 150,000 trucks and SUVs to address several problems, including steering, air bag issues and a growling rear axle.
Wilfredo Lee / AP / File
The front of a Dodge Ram may resemble a snarling cougar, but the truck shouldn't actually growl.
When customers reported a growling or grinding sound in their brand new trucks, engineers investigated and found a faulty rear axle, which prompted the recall of almost 57,000 of the popular trucks.
That recall joins two others that Chrysler, Dodge’s parent company, announced about the same time, for a total of over 144,000 recalled trucks and SUVs.
Over 65,000 Dodge Journeys from model year 2009 are being recalled for an electrical problem with the side airbags, while Dodge Rams are facing two different recalls:
- Over 22,000 Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks from model years 2008-11 are being recalled for a faulty left ball stud on the tie rod, which may result in a loss of steering control.
- Ram 1500 trucks from model year 2011, which have been manufactured since September 2009, have a growl-y rear axle bearing which might seize, possibly causing the truck to stall.
If you own a Ram or Journey, you should call your dealer for an appointment. Your dealer will replace the faulty part at no cost to you.
Chrysler will send the official recall letters to affected SUV and truck owners in February. Chrysler representatives did not respond to repeated attempts to make contact.
If you have questions, call Chrysler toll-free at 800-853-1403 or go to their website. (Recall information is well buried, but you can look for information about your car here.) You can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 800-424-9153) or go to www.safercar.gov.