2012 RAM 4500 Recall

On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "NONE" when it should read as "NONE / AUCUN". Canadian regulations require the information to be listed on the label in both English and French.

This error does not affect vehicle safety.

This is not a recall. The company has corrected the tire and loading information label for all new vehicles.

On certain pickup and chassis-cab trucks, the owner's manual and service manual list the wrong torque specification for the wheel nuts. As a result, some trucks may have had the lug nuts over-tightened during servicing. This can damage the wheel studs and, over time, they could break. If this happens, a wheel could separate from the truck. Note: This recall only affects trucks equipped with dual rear wheels and flanged lug nuts.

A wheel separation could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. A wheel that separates could also hit another person or vehicle.

FCA Canada will contact owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a dealer to inspect and replace the wheel studs, as necessary. They will also provide an update for the torque specification listed in the owner's manual.

On certain vehicles equipped with the Roadside Emergency Kit containing a Kidde fire extinguishers with black plastic handles and valves, the fire extinguishers may become clogged or require excessive force to activate. Also, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury, and fail to discharge. In case of fire, failure of the extinguisher to function could result in injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the suspect Kidde fire extinguisher with a new Kidde fire extinguisher with a steel nozzle. For more information about recalled fire extinguishers, please visit www.kidde.com.

A failure of this component (accessories) 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 equipped with a steering column gear shifter, the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) may become inoperative. This could allow the steering column gear shifter lever to be shifted out of the PARK (P) position without depressing the service brake pedal or having the key in the ignition, which could result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect and replace the BTSI as necessary. The Body Control Module (BCM) will also be updated.

A failure of this component (powertrain) 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 equipped with a 220 amp alternator, frequent load cycling at the rated amperage capacity and particularly in hot ambient conditions could cause the alternator to develop a short, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire. If a short develops in the alternator while the vehicle is being driven, it could also result in the engine stalling, causing a loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash. Both situations could increase the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the alternator.

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).

On certain vehicles equipped with Electronic Vehicle Information Centers, the steering wheel wiring harness may wear against the driver frontal airbag retainer spring, potentially resulting in an electrical short which could cause unintended driver frontal airbag deployment. Unintended airbag deployment, in a non-warranted (non-impact) situation, could result in injury and increase the risk of a vehicle crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will secure the wiring harness and add protective caps to the retainer spring.

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 equipped with 6.7L diesel engines, an electrical connection at the fuel heater could overheat, potentially rendering the heater inoperative and causing a fuel leak and fuel odour. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the fuel heater, and replace it if required, as well as replace the fuel heater wiring harness electrical connector.

A failure of this component (fuel system) 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 vehicles, the snap ring on the automatic transmission’s primary clutch drum could move out of position, which could cause a sudden loss of power transfer. Loss of vehicle propulsion, in conjunction with traffic, road conditions and the driver’s reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the transmission assembly.

A failure of this component (powertrain) 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 four-wheel drive vehicles, due to insufficient welding of the front differential housing to the axle tubes, the housing may rotate relative to the axle tubes while the vehicle is operated in four wheel drive. This could allow the front driveshaft to bind up and fracture, causing a loss of motive power and damage to surrounding components if the driveshaft continues to spin. This could increase the risk of a crash causing personal injury and/or damage to property. Correction: dealers will repair or replace the front axle assembly on affected vehicles.

A failure of this component (powertrain) 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).