Ram Recalls 107,898 Diesel Pickups Due to a Fire Risk
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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is recalling 107,898 diesel pickups after discovering cracked emissions-control components that can cause fires.
The microscopic cracks are in the exhaust-gas recirculation coolers in 2014-19 Ram 1500 trucks, the Michigan-based automaker said in a statement Friday. The cooler is part of the system that reduces tailpipe pollutants in diesel-powered vehicles.
When the cracks are present, there's an increased fire risk, FCA said. The company said it knows about “a number of small fires" and four injuries that occurred when customers tried to put out fires.
Until they can have their trucks repaired, FCA says that owners of the vehicles should monitor their coolant levels and contact a dealer if levels are low.
The action doesn’t include the newest-generation 2020 diesel Ram 1500 or any gasoline-powered Ram 1500 from any model year, FCA said. In addition to the U.S. recall, FCA is recalling 50,159 of the same trucks in Canada.
The Details
Vehicles recalled: 2014-19 Ram 1500 with diesel engines
The problem: Microscopic cracks can appear in the exhaust-gas recirculation cooler. If the cracks are present, coolant can escape, possibly causing a fire.
The fix: FCA will notify vehicle owners to let them know when they can go to a dealer for service. The company says it's in the process of finalizing details about the repair.
How to contact the manufacturer: Owners can reach their dealer through the FCA customer-service line, at 800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign number: There isn't a number for this recall yet.
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has a recall that needs to be addressed.
If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have one. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly.
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