Not long ago it surpassed Chevy Silverado sales. Can this last?
It's no secret that the fifth-generation 1500 pickup truck has been a huge success for Ram. The truck has effectively allowed Ram to surpass the Chevrolet Silverado in the hot pickup sales race, and our own tests of both trucks concluded that the Ram is an amazing truck to drive and, in its top trim, feels more upscale than GM's finest GMC Sierra Denali.
But Ram has been having issues with quality lately. Its beloved truck found itself on the recall list after its tailgates were having trouble staying closed. And now, the company has issued a voluntary recall due to driveshafts that could snap while on the road.
According to the NHTSA, the recall affects 10,160 trucks including the 2018 and 2019 model-year Ram 1500 and Ram 1500 Classic (FCA-speak for the previous-gen Ram that's still being build alongside 5th-generation truck). Affected trucks were built between March 16, 2018, through April 20, 2018.
The problem concerns the rear driveshaft, which could crack and eventually fracture, causing an affected truck to leave driveshaft debris in the road and stop moving altogether. It stems from an incomplete fusion weld between the tube and tube yoke. The only way owners might know if their truck's driveshaft is on the cusp of failing is if they experience road noise or vibrations coming from the rear end.
Ram found out about the problem after it launched an investigation upon receiving six warranty claims for the problem from owners with trucks built within a month of each other. So far, no injuries or accidents have resulted from the problem, but owners of affected trucks can expect to receive notices by June 15th.
The recall will require owners of affected models to visit dealerships to have new driveshafts with "complete fusion welds" installed into their trucks. Buyers who've already paid for the fix out of pocket can expect reimbursement from Ram.
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