Chrysler says that a left outer tie rod on medium and heavy duty versions of certain 2008 through 2011 Ram pickups could break at low speeds. As a result, the automaker is calling back nearly 250,000 pickups, an expansion of a similar recall it made late last year.
The Michigan automaker says that the faulty part could snap at slow parking lot speeds when the steering wheel is turned to full lock. The left outer tie rod was the culprit in a similar recall announced last December of around 22,000 Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks. At the time, Chrysler resisted recalling 1500, 2500 and 3500 trucks because the automaker said that the outer tie rods were of a slightly different design.
However, an increasing number of reported problems led Chrysler to conduct its own study earlier this year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Chrysler has had 12 complaints.
The recall, which is likely to commence in the next few weeks, covers around 168,000 2008-2011 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 4×4 and 3500 Chassis Cab 4×2 models, as well as the 2008 Ram Mega Cab 4×4 and 2003-2008 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks that might have received the part as a replacement for a damaged original tie rod.
Chrysler says that it will instruct its dealers to replace the part and to perform an alignment free of charge.
