Stellantis Ram Truck Hit by Recall!
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Stellantis, a Netherlands-based automaker, has recalled its Ram Heavy Duty Pickup Trucks due to a faulty component that poses a serious safety risk. This issue has led to the recall of over 315,000 trucks, causing significant concern among consumers.
The report published by the U.S. Department of Transportation highlights that the hydraulic control unit (HCU) in these vehicles has failed, causing the anti-lock brake system, traction control system, and electronic stability control to malfunction. This combination of failures increases the risk of crashes.
The recall affects multiple truck models, including the Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 from the 2017-2018 model years, in total of 317,630 trucks. Stellantis has also pulled back some trucks from the Canadian and Mexican markets, among others.
Impact of the Recall on the Company
Stellantis has been struggling with its sales rate, despite a recent increase in inventory on dealer lots. In the last quarter, the company’s net revenue plunged by 27%, a significant drop compared to previous years.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of accidents or crashes related to the brake system issue.
When and How the Issue Was Identified?
In November 2022, the NHTSA opened a federal investigation into Ram Truck braking systems, releasing a report that identified issues with the HCU and anti-lock brake systems.
In October 2024, Chrysler (a subsidiary of Stellantis) initiated its own investigation, which confirmed that the systems mentioned by the NHTSA were indeed failing to function properly in Ram Trucks. Between 2017 and 2024, the company received:
- 4,622 customer assistance records.
- 1,460 field reports.
- 53,448 warranty claims related to similar issues.
What Customers Need to Do?
According to federal safety regulators, Stellantis has announced plans to replace the hydraulic control unit (HCU) free of charge.
All affected owners will receive a notification letter via mail by January 9, 2025. Additionally, customers can contact the company’s customer service number or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline for further assistance.