Dodge Ram Recalled

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in February 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 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 Years: 1994-1999

Number Involved: 701,000

Dates of Manufacture: July 1993 - March 1999

Defect: On these pickup trucks registered or located in states in the Asalt belt@ area (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri), corrosion of the return spring on the hood secondary latch could cause the mechanism to bind in the Arelease position.@ If the primary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. Remedy: Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch. The manufacturer has not yet provided NHTSA with an owner notification schedule. [NHTSA Recall No. 01V040/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. 973]

DaimlerChrysler Corporation

Models: Dodge Ram Years: 1994-1996

Number Involved: 157,000

Dates of Manufacture: July 1993 - July 1996

Defect: On certain pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines, the throttle cable could unravel (fray) or break, resulting in a loss of throttle control. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the throttle cable and upper bell crank lever. The manufacturer has not yet provided NHTSA with an owner notification schedule for this campaign. [NHTSA Recall No. 01V037/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. 970]

Models: Dodge Ram Year: 2000

Number Involved: 2,000

Dates of Manufacture: July - September 1999

Defect: These pickup trucks are equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that may have inadequate clearance between the front tire/wheel and the brake hose/ABS sensor wire assembly. During full lock turns, it is possible for the tire or wheel to contact the brake hose/ABS sensor wire assembly. Continued contact can result in wire damage and/or a hole in the brake line and reduced braking effectiveness. Remedy: Dealers will replace the front brake hose assemblies, and the ABS sensor wire will be inspected and replaced if necessary. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during March 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403. [NHTSA Recall No. 01V038/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. 971]