Chrysler, one of the many brands under the Stellantis umbrella, is facing a massive recall affecting more than 129,000 units of its best-selling vehicle, the Ram 1500, after a serious issue was detected in the turn signal system. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is fully responsible for these matters, has issued a warning to the entire industry so that the parent company gets to work to fix the issue. It may seem like a minor failure, but the consequences can be very serious for other road users. We’re going to tell you everything you need to know about this recall below.
What happened?
Ram 1500s from Chrysler manufactured between 2023 and 2024 are not functioning correctly because they have an auto-cancel feature for turn signals, designed to switch off automatically after a manoeuvre. However, the malfunction prevents them from turning off on their own, and if the driver doesn’t switch it off manually, it remains active, which can cause confusion for other vehicles on the road.
What does the statement say?
The official NHTSA statement says this is a direct threat to road safety and urges any users whose vehicles are part of the recall to contact their Chrysler dealer as soon as possible so they can inspect and replace the control module where the fault occurs.
And no, there will be no extra cost to users. It will be completely free as it is considered a factory defect, and Chrysler will cover the costs.
What should users do?
First, follow NHTSA’s guidance, which only seeks to protect user safety. Then, check the recall. Affected users will start receiving notifications starting October 24. To confirm whether your vehicle is affected, you can call 1-800-853-1403 or visit the NHTSA website and enter your vehicle’s VIN to find out if it’s involved in this recall.
Is it an isolated issue or a lack of professionalism?
This recall doesn’t affect only the Chrysler brand but also Stellantis, the parent company, which has already been under fire, let’s be honest, this hasn’t been their year or even their best decade. But that’s the nature of the auto industry. Stellantis isn’t the only one that has been forced to issue recalls due to factory defects in their vehicles, Tesla, and even the “invincible” Toyota, have also been through it. In these cases, it’s normal for us to worry about our physical safety, but it’s also a clear sign that the industry is alive and that vehicles on the road are constantly being tested, and that they respond quickly to any error.
An unexpected victim
It’s true that no one expected the RAM 1500, Chrysler buyers’ favourite model, to have any flaw. A vehicle known for power, durability, and off-road capabilities brought down by a glitch. And now, Chrysler is under scrutiny.
What has Chrysler done?
They’ve taken preventive measures and plan to recall the affected units before the issue escalates, a clear sign that Chrysler takes the safety of its customers very seriously.