Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is recalling approximately 222,207 of the company’s 2014 to 2019 Ram ProMaster vans equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, for a possible transmission gear shifter cable that could be kinked. This issue could cause the affected vans to unintentionally move.
According to the recall, the transmission shifter cable could separate, disconnecting the transmission shifter from the transmission and could result in the inability of the driver to shift the transmission potentially resulting in the gear shift lever position not matching the transmission gear.
The vehicle population was determined to include all ProMaster vehicles equipped with a Pentastar engine from the beginning of 2014 model year production on April 23rd, 2013, through September 14th, 2019, when the vehicle manufacturing process was revised. Similar 2014 to 2019 Ram ProMaster vehicles not recalled were not built with a Pentastar engine or were built after September 14th, 2019.
The recall also states that if the transmission shifter becomes disconnected from the transmission, the vehicle may not perform the shifts intended by the driver (including a shift to PARK), although the actual transmission gear position will be displayed on the instrument cluster. In addition, the “Vehicle Not in PARK” and the “Door Ajar” messages will display on the instrument cluster and audible chimes will sound if the driver’s door is opened while the transmission is not in PARK. If these warnings are not heeded, unintended vehicle movement may occur which can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning and/or injury to others outside the vehicle.
FCA will conduct a Voluntary Safety Recall to replace the transmission shift cable (part number 68166623AC) on all affected vehicles. FCA has a longstanding policy and practice of reimbursing owners who have incurred the cost of repairing a problem that subsequently becomes the subject of field action. To ensure consistency, FCA, as part of the owner letter, will request that customers send the original receipt and/or other adequate proof of payment to the company for confirmation of the expense.
FCA will notify dealers and begin notifying owners on or about March 13th, 2020. Owners may contact Ram Trucks at 1-866-726-4636. The number for this recall is W00. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
