Dodge Ram Recalled

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in January 2001 and urged consumers to have the problems fixed promptly.

The list identifies the make and model of the vehicle or equipment involved, with a brief description of the safety problem.

NHTSA said it is publicizing the recalls to alert consumers about safety problems and encourages them to take action. Under federal law, safety problems must be remedied without cost to consumers. Currently, 72 percent of the owners of vehicles with safety problems have the recall work performed.

NHTSA said manufacturers are required to mail a recall notice to all purchasers, owners and dealers when a safety defect or noncompliance with Federal safety standards is found. The agency urges owners to wait until they receive notification from the manufacturer before contacting their dealers to schedule the repair work. Not all vehicles of a particular make and model may be subject to the recall.

Consumers can get up-to-the-minute information on safety recall campaigns, or information on the recall history of a particular make and model of car, truck, motorcycle, or child safety seat, by calling the agency's toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236), or by accessing NHTSA on the Internet at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov. The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.

DaimlerChrysler Corporation

Models: Dodge Ram Year: 2001

Number Involved: 2,400

Dates of Manufacture: June - July 2000

Defect: On certain Quad Cab pickup trucks equipped with a camper package and overload springs, the spacer plate could lead to deformation of the upper spring plate during assembly of the axle to the vehicle, resulting in a soft joint. The soft joint could cause the rear axle U-bolts to lose clamp load, resulting in displacement of the rear axle and a loss of vehicle control.

Remedy: Dealers will remove the spacer plates and the spring plates will be replaced. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Feb. 4, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free label within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

[NHTSA Recall No. 01V008/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. 966]