Fiat Chrysler Adds More Ram Trucks to Tailgate Issue Recall

Almost a year after Fiat Chrysler recalled around 1.6 million Ram trucks due to an issue with its tailgate, the automaker is pulling out more models in the market.

According to reports, the actuator limiter tab for the truck’s power locking mechanism could possibly fracture. And if this happens, the actuator’s lock-rod control could move beyond its limits. The locking rods would then open, allowing the tailgate to open any time.

In the 2018 recall, Fiat Chrysler pulled out the Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickups, with the five-foot-seven and six-foot-four beds and the power locking tailgate option from the 2015 to 2017 model years. They excluded the trucks with eight-foot beds and those with manual-locking tailgates.

But this year, the company announced that it is including the trucks with eight-foot beds to the recall. This puts an additional 410,352 trucks to the pool of recalled Ram trucks.

Ram reportedly redesigned the locking assembly on the trucks with shorter bed sizes that were built after August 2, 2017. However, the one with longer beds did not get the same redesign until April 2, 2018, which means all eight-foot-bed pickups from the 2015 model year to April 1, 2018 are part of the recall.

Fiat Chrysler clarified it is not aware of any accidents or injuries because of the tailgate issue, but it is planning to notify the Ram owners of their plans on June 28.

According to the paperwork filed by the brand with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ram owners are not being prevented from driving their tracks. However, they are also not instructed on what could be done to address the problem.

Experts are saying that bungee cords could be the resolution. A quick trip to the dealer could fix the issue in about 30 minutes, in a process that would entail removing the tailgate cover and installing a stop block to prevent the locking actuator’s pivot arm from traveling too far. Fiat Chrysler says the company will reimburse owners for any other repairs made to address the problem.

Ram is not the only one facing problems as the NHTSA is also investigating the 2017 Ford Super Duty pickups for the same issue.