How Will the Recent Large Recall Affect Ram?
At PickupTrucks.com we do not apologize for pickup truck manufacturers, although some readers like to think that. We believe our coverage of pickup truck news is fair and balanced, and we mete out criticism when it's due. Just ask Ram execs how they felt after we published our 2017 Monster Factory Off-Road Challenge.
That brings us to the recent Ram recall affecting 1 million pickups, one of the largest pickup recalls in recent memory. In model-year 2013-16 Ram 1500s and 2500s, and model-year 2014-16 Ram 3500s, a sensor within the occupant restraint controller module can malfunction after being subjected to significant underbody impact. The module sits under the cab floor and cannot be seen from under the vehicle. The malfunction could confuse the module into thinking the sensor has failed, thus activating an instrument-cluster warning light. Once that warning light is on, the error code may temporarily disable the side curtain airbag and seat belt pretensioner, increasing the risk of injury if the vehicle then goes into a rollover situation. Ram says the sensor can be reactivated by turning the ignition off and on, which should deactivate the warning light. Ram manufacturer Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said it is aware of one fatality, two injuries and two accidents that may be related.
Ram is advising owners of affected Ram pickups to get to their dealers for a software update that will reduce the sensor's sensitivity to harsh impacts.
We like that Ram was quick to react to this issue with such a comprehensive response but we suspect, unfortunately, that we're more likely to read stories from experts about how this recall is going to hurt FCA financially. Market Realist is reporting that the recall could affect Ram sales and add a significant recall-related cost burden to FCA balance sheets. In its weekly automotive stock analysis, Market Realist reported May 12 that "stock turned negative after posting an all-time high near $11.65 on April 26."
Cars.com photo by Evan Sears
Comments
thats gonna be expensive!
it's a quick software fix. Slow news day.
A software update is hardly an issue compared to replacing parts that require materials and labor. Bring it in, plug it in, wait a few minutes, done. Judging by FCAU's stock price, it's a net positive as they are being proactive rather than waiting for injuries.
Sure, it's a lot of trucks but the task itself is pretty simple and probably doesn't even require the vehicle to go into a bay; just take a laptop and plug it into the OBDII port and hit .
So, the module malfunctions, but the fix is to change the software so it doesn't detect the malfunction? 'Scuse me, ". . . reduce the sensitivity to harsh impacts."
This should be an easy recall, and will actually result in some service revenue in the end. "Sure bring it in. Do you want an oil change and tire rotation while we have your truck?"
Yea but that "oil change revenue" will be offset by the law suit of the person that DIED, and others hurt. Remember why this all came about!!
Gents,
While a simple fix, the mechanic still gets paid. Even if it's a half hour job @ $80 per hour, it's still 40 million dollars. This is not cheap. Even if they charge in 1/4 hour increments it's still 20 million. Fiat must accrue warranty reserves which takes away from investment. Fiat accrues 4 to 4.5% of sales in warranty reserve FY 15-16. GM about 2% and Ford just under 2%. (I'd say equal) So... what does that say about how the companies financial managers view warranty risk?
@ancient mariner
Nailed it! The problem is masked with software. It's not necessarily wrong, just low cost and quick. Root cause not addressed.
Won't affect Ram they'll be in 2ND place duking it out for #1 with GM soon. Mean while Ford goes broke and gets shut down.
According to ramtards everywhere its GREAT news. Im glad they are taking care of it and as long as they do so its ok for Fiat to keep trying.
Sounds like you douchebags at pickuptrucks.com got paid off by Ford or GM to write a crap article like this to hit their (Fiat-Ram) sales.
Millhouse: [Click here] for a tissue.
Ram's spotty quality has been haunting the brand for years. We have nothing new here.
The Eco diesel scandal will likely kill Ram
They can fix my ram any day if it has a recall...love my truck...better than a ford.....would buy another one
As for the Ram recall, FCA learned of the problem last December when it was named in a lawsuit involving the crash of a 2014 Ram 1500. The vehicle's side airbags failed to deploy when the pickup rolled over.
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/ford-shares-tank-news-it-will-cut-1-400-jobs-n760786
Since 2014 they've known? Just wow........
@johnny doe keep dreaming Ford is never shut down,also do some research GM has been laying people off since January,all automakers do it,Ford also has more money on hand now than they did last year up 4%
If it lead to a death you will never know !
As even with all working airbags with the safest vehicle ,people do die..even identical crashes ! Or similar crash less speed,less damage,people die,where others before lived (in the same style/year vehicle).
Even when others in the same crash,same truck same condition do live...Its hard to say if it had working airbag if they would be alive..
Maybe they are better off dead,than being a vegetable ,invalid etc..
LOL PUTC IS FAKE TRUCK NEWS ! Brought to you by Ford !
"At PickupTrucks.com we do not apologize for pickup truck manufacturers, although some readers like to think that. We believe our coverage of pickup truck news is fair and balanced, and we mete out criticism when it's due."
FAKE NEWS !!!! Sure everyone knows you REFUSE TO PUBLISH FORD RECALLS..
YOU RARELY REPORT FORD RECALLS YET EVERY RAM AND GM RECALL YOU REPORT WITH HUGE POSTS...
YOU ARE FAKE TRUCK NEWS,WHEN YOU HAVE TO TELL PEOPLE YOU ARE NOT FAKE NEWS,THAT MEANS YOU ARE FAKE NEWS !!!
I come here rarely for the pictures,text information I do not believe !!
lets not forget gm
has a similar recall
about there air bags that may not work
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2014-2017 model year Chevrolet Silverado LD, GMC Sierra LD, Buick Encore, Chevrolet Trax, Chevrolet Caprice Police, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles, 2014-2016 model year Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV, and Chevrolet SS vehicles and 2015-2017 model year Chevrolet Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) in these vehicles, which controls airbag and pretensioner deployment, contains a software defect which may prevent the deployment of frontal airbags and pretensioners in certain rare circumstances. If the frontal airbags and seatbelt pretensioners do not deploy when required, there is an increased risk of injury to occupants in a crash. 16007
the recall might not be as many , clearly they don't
sell as many as ram
nothing new in the reprogram world
@ David ,
Well,you get your truck news from here so they dont report Ford facts...
Ford is cutting back 10% of its salaried workers including the Kentucky Truck Plant.
Ford is cutting workers at its Truck Plant !!
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is right on Fords tail for Profits !! Thus FCA has more money on hand as well...
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ford-recalls-f-250-trucks-because-of-roll-away-risk/
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ford-recalls-f-250-trucks-because-of-roll-away-risk/
https://newswire.net/newsroom/blog-post/00096145-ford-might-lose-a-substantial-amount-of-money-over-recall.html
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ford-issues-recall-on-8000-f-150-trucks-and-certain-focus-c-max-cars-2017-01-26
http://www.autoblog.com/2016/12/21/ford-super-duty-taurus-explorer-flex-fire-recall/
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ford-recalls-f-250-trucks-because-of-roll-away-risk/
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ford-recalls-f-250-trucks-because-of-roll-away-risk/
https://newswire.net/newsroom/blog-post/00096145-ford-might-lose-a-substantial-amount-of-money-over-recall.html
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ford-issues-recall-on-8000-f-150-trucks-and-certain-focus-c-max-cars-2017-01-26
https://www.trucks.com/2016/10/26/ford-recalls-400000-vehicles-super-duty-truck/
http://www.autonews.com/article/20170512/COPY01/305129926/ford-of-canada-recalls-f-150s-over-brake-issue-after-government
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2016/10/04/ford-brake-probe/91542602/
http://www.equipmentworld.com/ford-recalls-2017-f-150-for-instrument-panel-bug-affecting-gear-indicator/
http://fordauthority.com/2017/02/ford-recalls-2017-f-150-over-issue-with-gear-shift-indicator-in-instrument-cluster/
Every singl rAM recall is listed on here,yet Ford..Very few if any get listed !
Well now, don't forget to post some of the "good" Ram news like a "buy back" program, fixed sales numbers, or messing with emissions data to name a few.
http://money.cnn.com/2016/07/18/news/companies/fiat-chrysler-sales-probe/index.html
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/dodge-truck-owners-accuse-chrysler-of-vw-like-cheating/ar-AAkhCEA?li=BBnbfcN&ocid=iehp
Least reliable:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/research-guides/10-least-reliable-cars/ar-AAjlrkD?ocid=iehp%20-%20page=5#page=5
Looks like to me that if so many of you don't like PUTC, then DON'T READ IT. Has turned into a left v/s right bitch session. Even though I am a Ford guy, reading what the other mfg's are doing is informative. I think that it would be difficult to buy a truly bad truck in this country. DR
"So, the module malfunctions, but the fix is to change the software so it doesn't detect the malfunction? 'Scuse me, ". . . reduce the sensitivity to harsh impacts.""
As I read it on other sources, the software itself IS the malfunction as it mis-reads the bump and disables those specific airbags.
YOU RARELY REPORT FORD RECALLS .....................Posted by: Dr.Phillips | May 17, 2017 2:30:07 PM...............................................................I went back to January 1st of this year and counted all the recall stories this site posted. Only one was for Ram.....Two for Toyota...............one for Honda..........and Four for Ford.
I don't care, still love my Ram. Wouldn't trade it for 2 of anything else.
Millhouse: [Click here] for a tissue.
Ram's spotty quality has been haunting the brand for years. We have nothing new here.
Posted by: redbloodedxy | May 17, 2017 11:25:07 AM
Better check out your recall list on your Ford their bro. lol
FIRE RECALL FORD ONLY 29 FIRES AT THE TIME OF RECALL!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei1WdHXvOsM
Ford Hit With $295 Million Recall Charge
Reuters
Mar 29, 2017
Ford Motor Co., the second largest U.S. automaker, on Wednesday announced two new recalls affecting 440,000 vehicles and expects to spend about $295 million to fix the issues.
The recalls include 211,000 vehicles in North America to replace potentially faulty side door latches and 230,000 vehicles for under-hood fire risks. Ford (F, -1.74%) said it has reports of 29 fires but no injuries.
GOTTA LOVE THE FORD CAMP. THEIR WORRIED ABOUT SPOTTY QUALITY ON MY RAM WHY THIER FORD BURNS TO THE GROUND.
Is this the inflated sales figures?
Wow Ford going broke. Trucks sold compared to dodge.
Wow dodge trucks compared to Ford trucks sold. Ford sells a lot more.
Every manufacturer has there faults as long as that fix it is good new for everyone
.my longhorn 2500 is awsome
I bought one Dodge truck. Never again. Too many of the parts broke or had to be replaced due to poor workmanship/design. No vehicle is perfect, but that one was bad enough to tarnish my image of the brand.
Also, I would be ashamed to be associated with the type of people posting the garbage above. It is odd they think they are somehow promoting the brand they enjoy, but it is more off putting and repulsive than anything. Who would take advice from such a low-level clown that never grew up?
Combine this with the cheating regarding diesel engines and I would rather be seen in a Prius than a Ram.
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