Back in May, we told you that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) had announced it was recalling 485,109 of it’s 2015 to 2018 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickups equipped with the 8-foot long box configuration to upgrade their power locking tailgate mechanisms. Now the company has expanded its recall to more than 875,000 of the fourth-generation Ram pickups.
The recall is now calling for 2013 to 2018 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500 pickups that have power locking tailgates. Where the previous recall only called for trucks with 8-foot box configurations, the updated recall is calling for 6-foot, 4-inch box configurations as well that were built before April 1st, 2018. This does not pertain to the 2019 Ram 1500 models.
The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving. If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out of the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
FCA will notify owners to take their truck to a Ram Truck dealer to repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. Notices of the expanded recall will be sent to owners on October 18, 2019. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403 with the recall code V44 for the latest notice. All 2015 to 2017 Ram 1500s with box configurations other than the 8-foot box are covered under recall 18V-486.
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.
