Ram Trucks Recalled Amid Fire Risk

More than 300,000 Ram pickup trucks are being recalled by Stellantis over a potential fire risk.

Intake heater-grid relays are to blame for the recall, the company told federal regulators.

“An electrical short in the Relay can potentially lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off,” Stellantis said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “A vehicle fire can result in increased risk of occupant injury and/or injury to persons outside the vehicle, as well as property damage.”

Stellantis is encouraging owners to park the vehicles outside until repairs are completed. The company said it is aware of six related fires in engine heavy-duty trucks, but not injuries stemming from those situations.

“Customers are advised to not park these vehicles inside of buildings or structures, or near other vehicles until the vehicle has the final repair completed,” Ram said in the defect notice.

The recalled models, including Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 cab chassis pickups from 2021 to 2023, all use an older-generation heater-grid relay that Stellantis no longer uses. Stellantis will inspect recalled trucks to determine whether they contain the hazardous relay and replace it with a newer design if necessary. 

Other Ram Recalls

These kinds of recalls are all too common for Stellantis and other major auto manufacturers.

Late last year, for example, the company said it was recalling nearly 250,000 pickup trucks susceptible to transmission fluid leaks. Stellantis said at the time that it had not yet come up with a fix for the defect, which could cause engine fires.

Stellantis in 2021 called back roughly half a million pickup trucks over concerns they could suffer from “wheel separation.” That is, the company said the trucks’ wheels could come off while driving.

That announcement came after Stellantis separately recalled 20,000 Ram trucks over engine fire risks.

California's Lemon Law

One of the problems with these recalls is that they often come long after the defective cars have been sold to unsuspecting buyers. The good news for BMW and other car owners in California is that you do not need to wait around for a recall in order to get faulty vehicles fixed.

The California lemon law requires automakers to perform a variety of repairs on vehicles while the cars are under warranty. It also forces those companies to buy back or replace cars that they cannot or simply refuse to properly fix.   

Speak with a Lemon Law Attorney

If you are locked in a dispute with a car manufacturer over a malfunctioning or defective vehicle, a Los Angeles lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help. 

We have successfully assisted car owners across the state. Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a lawyer at our firm today.