2008 Dodge RAM Recall

On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the airbag inflator. Note: Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. The recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk, and is expected to replace airbag inflators before their function would be affected.

A failure of this component (airbag) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Note: This recall supersedes special service campaign 2015-003. Correction: Dealers will replace airbag inflators. All vehicles having received a replacement inflator as part of the previous special service campaign will have a replacement inflator installed.

A failure of this component (airbag) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

A safety defect may exist in aftermarket steering linkage equipment sold as service replacement parts for 2500 and 3500 4x4 pickup trucks. If the drag link assemblies in question were installed improperly, the left tie rod ball stud may fracture, potentially resulting in a loss of vehicle control and a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Chrysler will notify owners of all 2003-2008 Dodge Ram heavy duty trucks (other than those covered by recall 2013-397 (N49)) since those vehicles could potentially have had the affected linkages installed during service. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for inspection and repair if required. Note: This recall supersedes recall 2009-019 (H46). Parts replaced under the previous campaign will also need to be replaced under this campaign.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain Ram 4500 and 5500 four wheel drive vehicles may experience a fracture of the ball stud on the left outer tie rod assembly, potentially resulting in a loss of vehicle control and a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: As an interim repair, dealers will align the left tie rod end. Dealers will install a redesigned left outer tie rod assembly once parts are available. Note: This recall supersedes recall 2010-465 (K28). Vehicles that were repaired under the previous campaign will also need to be repaired under this campaign.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain 2008-2012 Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4, Ram 3500 cab chassis, and 2008 Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 vehicles, the left outer tie rod ball stud could fracture, potentially resulting in a loss of vehicle control and a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will install a redesigned left outer tie rod assembly. Note: This recall supersedes recall 2011-253 (L16). Vehicles that were repaired under the previous campaign will also need to be repaired under this campaign.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain 2008-2011 Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4, Ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2 and 4x4, and 2008 Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 vehicles, the left outer tie rod ball stud could fracture. Additionally, other 2003-2008 Ram vehicles may have received the affected tie rod as a replacement part during service, and are therefore also involved in this campaign. Although this condition tends to occur when making a tight turn during low speed parking lot type maneuvers, tie rod failure could result in a loss of directional stability. A loss of steering control could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the left outer tie rod end and tighten the track bar bolt. Note: The tie rod replacement portion of this recall was superseded by recall 2013-396.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain Ram 4500 and 5500 vehicles may experience a weakening and fracture of the ball stud on the left outer tie rod assembly. A loss of steering control could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the left outer tie rod assembly.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain 2008 Dodge Ram light duty and 2008-2009 heavy duty pickup trucks, the windshield wiper motor may be susceptible to water intrusion that could result in partial or complete loss of windshield wiping capability. Should this occur during a rainy/snowy day, it could increase the risk of a crash, causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor assembly.

A failure of this component (electrical) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain aftermarket replacement windshield wiper motor assemblies, sold during the '08 and '09 calendar year for use as service equipment on 2002-2009 Dodge Ram pickup trucks, may be susceptible to water intrusion that could result in partial or complete loss of windshield wiping capability. Should this occur during a rainy/snowy day, it could increase the risk of a crash, causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Owners who had windshield wiper motor assemblies serviced during the '08 and '09 calendar year will be requested to take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for inspection and repair if required.

A failure of this component (electrical) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Defective aftermarket steering drag links many have been sold as service replacement parts for 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The drag link assemblies in question may fracture, which could result in a loss of vehicle control and a crash, causing property damage, personal injury or death. Also, in some cases, the steering damper attaching bracket may yield and shift on the linkage. This may restrict the ability to turn the vehicle in one direction. Chrysler will notify owners (other than those covered by recall 09-010 (H36)) of all 2003-2008 Dodge Ram heavy duty trucks since those vehicles could potentially have had the affected linkages installed during service. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for inspection and repair if required.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, the drag link inner tie rod attachment to the pitman arm ball stud may fracture. A loss of steering control could result in a vehicle crash causing property damage, personal injury or death. Also, in some cases, the steering damper attaching bracket may yield and shift on the linkage. This may restrict the ability to turn the vehicle in one direction. Correction: Dealers will replace the drag link inner tie rod assembly. The steering damper will also be inspected and, if required, the damper bracket and bolts will be replaced.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain Ram 2500/3500 pickup trucks equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine, a silencer pad may sag and contact the exhaust gas recirculation cooler, which could result in an engine compartment fire. Correction: Dealers will install a bracket to support the silencer pad.

A failure of this component (other) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).