Dodge Recalls Durango SUVs, Ram Pickup Trucks
» Posted April 25, 2022 • Resources | Share This Post
A whole lot of Dodge owners are being asked to take their vehicles to local dealers to get defective software fixed.
Dodge recently announced that it is recalling more than 370,000 Durango sport utility vehicles and Ram pickup trucks that the company says have faulty warning lights. The company blames a software glitch.
The vehicles’ electronic stability control (ESC) warning lights may not illuminate even if the ESC system is malfunctioning, Dodge owner Stellantis told federal regulators. ESC is designed to prevent rollover crashes by stopping vehicles from sliding sideways in turns.
“Suspect vehicles may not display the ESC malfunction indicator lamp under certain malfunction conditions that affect the generation or transmission of control or response signals in the vehicle's electronic stability system,” Stellantis told NHTSA, “leaving the driver unaware of degraded ESC system performance that is not limiting engine torque during an ESC event.”
“Unexpected performance of the ESC system with no warning to the driver can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning,” the company added.
The recall covers certain Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, as well as Durango SUVs, built between 2018 and 2022.
Stellantis said it would notify the owners of recalled cars by the end of April. Owners will be asked to bring their vehicles to a local dealer for a software update.
These kinds of recalls have sadly become routine for Stellantis and other major car manufacturers.
Last year, the company recalled 500,000 Ram pickup trucks because of a wheel defect that Stellantis told federal regulators increased the risk of a crash. The move came months after Stellantis separately recalled 20,000 Ram trucks that it said were at risk of engine fires.
How California's Lemon Law Works
Stellantis is not alone: The world’s largest auto manufacturers recall millions of vehicles every year, flagging serious defects that put people’s safety at risk.
The good news for car owners in California is that the state’s lemon law offers some important rights and protections when it comes to malfunctioning and defective vehicles.
The Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act generally requires carmakers to do various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also requires manufacturers to buy back (or replace, in some circumstances) vehicles that they cannot or simply refuse to fix. That includes compensating the owner for the purchase price, along with financing fees, rental car expenses and other costs.
There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must be made before the buyback or replace requirement kicks in. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and guide you through the process of taking action.
Talk with a Los Angeles Lemon Law Attorney
If you are a car owner who has been stuck with a lemon or is locked in a dispute with a manufacturer over repairs, an experienced Los Angeles lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.
Our offices are conveniently located in L.A., San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a Los Angeles lemon law attorney.
