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Chrysler Issues Recall For 2009, 2010 Dodge Ram Pickups

By Richard Read
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2010 Dodge Ram

2010 Dodge Ram

Chrysler has announced a recall of certain Dodge Ram trucks from the 2009 and 2010 model years. According to a bulletin issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some of those vehicles may have flawed braking systems, which could increase the possibility of an accident -- not just for Ram drivers, but also for the people behind them.

The flaw in question affects only diesel models with the hydroboost braking system. As per the NHTSA bulletin, those units "may be equipped with a power steering reservoir cap with excessive vent pressure levels that may result in brake pedals that are slow to return". Obviously, any impediment to braking is a major safety hazard for drivers.


Unfortunately, the problem also affects the trucks' brake lights, which may be similarly slow to bounce back. That might not be a big deal for Ram drivers themselves, but it could cause folks behind them to brake unnecessarily, which might also cause collisions.

Chrysler has said that it won't begin repairing the affected vehicles until February 2011, which seems like a fairly slow fix time -- especially when considering that 76,122 vehicles are at risk. The repair will involve replacement of the power steering reservoir cap, which will be done free of charge.

If you have questions, we encourage you to contact your local dealer, or call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 and reference recall #K33. Alternately, you can contact the NHTSA at 888-327-4236 and ask about recall campaign #10V616000.

[NHTSA]


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Comments (12)

  1. Bill Burke Posted: 12/14/2010 7:50am PST

    At least they are not like Toyota and covering it up.
    Sure, as Chrysler is making hugh strides in improved quality and dealer management, it doesn't need bad press. But all manufacturers are hostages to their suppliers as we have seen so often and a fulty cap in so limited a product group does not spell trouble. This is an easy fix and does not show any basic flaw in the product at all. No big deal. The delay is in designing a corrected cap and getting it manufactured corrrectly. Normal.
     
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  2. richard avatar Richard Read Posted: 12/14/2010 8:35am PST

    @Bill: Even though I'm a longtime Chrysler (well, Jeep) driver, I'm not as quick as you to forgive a potentially dangerous flaw. Still, it's nice to see that our favorite Chrysler apologist is back. Welcome!
     
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  3. Tom Posted: 12/14/2010 10:26am PST

    My 2010 Ram diesel does this occasionally - although it's only noticeable when towing our travel-trailer. The electric trailer brake module indicates some very-minimal voltage is still being directed to the trailer brakes after lifting-off the service brakes. The condition goes away after a couple seconds, though. I didn't think anything of it... and still don't. An "impediment" to braking? Not hardly; the brakes still work fine.
     
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  4. Bill Burke Posted: 12/15/2010 9:18am PST

    I enjoy entertaining folks with my obvious Chrysler slant on things automotive. I see my comments as a balancing act in what I believe to be a mysterious bias against Chrysler and American manufacturers in that order. I truly have experienced superior ownership with my years of Chrysler products. I've owned, collected, exhibited and raced MoPars for decades. In these, my "golden years" ,I enjoy the ability to have fun with a mass audience of very sophisticated car enthusiasts of all bents. If you welcome my rants,thanks guys. Oh yea,(rant coming) Chrysler will blow folks away with great product, this partnership has great potential, of this I'm convinced. Think about it dudes.
     
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  5. mopII Posted: 12/15/2010 4:00pm PST

    I have had a 2008 3500,in the shop 18 times within 9,958 miles with break and steering issues. The inner lining in the high pressure line became dislodged and stuck in the hydroboost. I had to fix it myself because chrysler "couldn't find the problem". They traded me a 2009 3500 in place of the 2008. Same problems. It was in the shop a total of 5 times within 3 weeks. Once again,"couldn't find the problem". Fixed that one myself again. Again, with the inner lining. They traded me a 2010 3500 for this piece of you know what! I'm currently just over 15,000 miles into this truck. It has been in the shop a grand total of 8 times! AGAIN, same problems. Betcha can't guess what the problem was. The inner lining. Every time in goes in the shop, I get the same crap."can't find the problem". It will build up pressure with the inner lining causing the blockage and blow the steering resevoir cap off. I drilled a small hole dead center in the cap but to no avail. I pulled the hose apart and there is the lining. Pulled it completely out and it works better but not perfect. I've lost thousands of dollars due to wasted diesel to and from the shop and lost business for lack of a truck. So all that to say I will NEVER buy another chrysler product as long as I live nor will my family. Chrysler couldn't blow @&*$ off the ground with shot gun. So walk a mile in these shoes then I might consider hearing your "rant".
     
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  6. JOHN PASSEY Posted: 1/9/2011 2:18pm PST

    I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE DAKOTA. AFTER 30 DAYS I NOTICED A MARKED DIFFERENCE IN THE STEERING ABILITY - FELT LIKE I DID NOT HAVE POWER STEERING AT ALL. TOOK IT TO MILLER CHRYSLER IN PROVO UT THEY SAID IT WAS A WARN FAN BELT? CHANGED THE BELT BUT THE SAME PROBLEM. CAN ANYONE HELP?
     
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  7. richard avatar Richard Read Posted: 1/9/2011 4:07pm PST

    John: That's not the subject of this recall, but there is a place you might be able to find some answers: in our new Q&A section http://www.thecarconnection.com/questions-users/page-1_by-popular. Post your question there, and our experts will take a crack at it.
     
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  8. Larry Posted: 2/1/2011 1:43pm PST

    Have a 2009 Ram 1500 SLT - 5.7 hemi - auto - Performance issue - Hard on fuel. When new- fuel saver engaged on regular basis driving normal conditions city or highway. No the truck has 32 k - fuel economy highway dropped from 20 to 16 mpg highway speed (60 @ 1,500 RPM ) and fuel saver will not engage regular basis. Dealer programed computer - better for first 200 miles of driving, up to 21 mpg, then back to same 16 mpg whether driving on cruise or pedal. - Hard on fuel. What is the deal with the inconsistent fuel economy ? Is this a computer issue ? Thanks for the help.
     
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  9. kass Posted: 2/19/2011 11:21am PST

    i work for chrysler in the recall call centre and all recalls are VIN spacific and it does not affect all vehicles.
     
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  10. chris mitchell Posted: 3/5/2011 9:54am PST

    I have a 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 with 7000 miles. I was driving down the road when suddenly lost all steering. It turns out the drag link coming off the idler arm from the steering box had sheered off. (bad metal cast ?)It was towed to a local dealer where they installed another OE draglink. I own an auto repair facility so when i got the truck back i took it to my shop and put it up on a lift. I had a technician in the truck moving the steering wheel back and forth to find out that the new part is unsafe as well,the ball joint part of the link where it bolts to the center link was flexing as the steering wheel was being moved. I have completely lost all confidence in the safety of this truck. If i was on the freeway could my family and i have experienced a loss of life ? the problem in the steering appears to have not been corrected. I believe the factory needs to produce a much thicker stonger shaft on the drag link where the nut treads to. Or do i park a 56000.00 dollar (only because of all the options) truck in the garage ? By the way the very next day there was another Dodge 3500 towed in with a sheared tie rod. WOW ?
     
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  11. dodge-o-holic Posted: 4/5/2011 1:36am PDT

    Well this truck is a beast and a land mark in the history of Dodge vehicles. This truck didn't got the exposure which it deserved but if we look at the performance and the power it delievers with efficiency, I have to say its one of the best commercial truck available in the market today! Go for this giant if you are planning to invest on huge transport trucks.
     
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  12. Boomer sooner avatar Boomer sooner Posted: 12/22/2011 7:16pm PST

    I have a 09 dodge ram 1500 I only have 55,000 miles and I had the tipin go out on me witch controls everything the box by your battery that has all the fuses in it . That went out and my wipers didn't work heat or air didn't work and the airbag light , ems bag light , and traction control didn't work it cost $1,036 to fix it ouch I have plenty of problems with my truck .... Was not a happy customer today
     
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