A mis-aligned steering system tie-rod assembly has prompted Detroit automaker Chrysler to recall more than 1 million examples of its heavy duty pickup truck range.
The affected vehicles are 2003 through 2012 Dodge Ram trucks, around 453,000 of which it says will likely need to be repaired. The remaining roughly 726,000 won’t need to be fixed, the automaker said in a release issued to members of the media.
Technically, three separate recalls are being issued:
- One, which covers 842,400 2003 through 2008 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks will involve inspection and, if necessary, replacement of mis-aligned tie-road assemblies.
- A second covering 294,000 2008-2012 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks and 2008 Ram 1500 4×4 Mega Cab trucks, will address the same concern. Chrysler says it is related to an earlier recall.
- Finally, a third recall will bring back 43,500 2008-2012 Ram 4500 and 5500 4×4 Chassis Cabs for a similar inspection. Notably, Chrysler says that parts for this particular recall may not be available until early next year.
Chrysler will begin notifying owners of affected vehicles by mail next month. The inspections – and, if necessarily, the part replacements – will be handled by dealers at no cost to owners.
The vast majority of the trucks are believed to be in the United States and Canada, although about 55,000 are in Mexico or elsewhere across the globe.
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