Ram Recalls Nearly 1.4 Million Trucks For Defective Tailgates

Dec. 13, 2022 2:04 PM ET by Jay Traugott Recall / 3 Comments

Own a 2019-2022 Ram 1500, 2500, or 3500? This could affect you.

Ram has announced a voluntary global recall for almost 1.4 million examples of its full-size and HD pickup trucks due to a faulty tailgate latch that may not be properly secured while driving. According to the automaker and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall covers an estimated 1.23 million units of the Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 in the US. The remaining trucks are in Canada (120,000 units) and Mexico (26,000), while another 27,000 are outside of the continent.

The NHTSA states that "misaligned tailgate strikers may cause a failure to properly latch the tailgate." Basically, the tailgate could suddenly open without warning whether or not the vehicle is in motion.

If this were to happen while the truck is driving, the contents in the cargo bed could come spilling out, putting other drivers at serious risk. The recall is limited to 2019-2022 model year trucks but the previous generation 1500, now called the 1500 Classic, is unaffected. The good news is that Stellantis has confirmed there are no cases of related crashes or injuries. but there are more than 800 warranty claims associated with this defect.

Ram says that between June 2019 and November 2022 it received 736 warranty claims, 15 customer assistance records, and another 101 field reports related to this problem.

The automaker states it will reimburse owners who previously paid to have this problem fixed. Fortunately, no parts are necessary to repair the tailgate; it just needs to be realigned. Dealers will be instructed to inspect the tailgate striker alignment to the box latch and adjust it. Like any recall, this will be done free of charge.

Stellantis opened an internal investigation into the matter back in July 2021 and "continuously monitored field data for potentially related incidents." Affected owners will be notified by mail beginning on January 27, 2023 and it's fair to assume the necessary tailgate realignments will begin very shortly afterward at Ram dealerships. Last month, Ram recalled around 280,000 examples of its HD trucks powered by the 6.4-liter Cummins diesel engine with the 68RFE six-speed automatic transmission due to a possible fluid leak in that gearbox which could result in a fire.

Ram Recalls Nearly 1.4 Million Trucks For Defective Tailgates

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Ram Recalls Nearly 1.4 Million Trucks For Defective Tailgates

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