NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation PE11009
Preliminary Evaluation · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
An investigation is not a finding that a defect exists.
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
What NHTSA is examining
The agency's own description of the inquiry, quoted as published
Outer Tie Rod Failure
ODI received complaints regarding failing tie rod ball studs on Model Year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles resulting in loss of steering control.Chrysler concluded that misalignment of the left (driver side) ball stud on vehicles built with the Cross Car steering linkage system could allow contact between the bull stud and the ball housing which could weaken the stud and result in fracture.Chrysler submitted a recall notice on August 15, 2011 involving certain MY 2003-2011 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 pickup trucks built or repaired with the Cross Car steering linkage.Chrysler will inspect, repair or realign the front end of the subject vehicles as needed.Chrysler's announcement of a safety recall on this matter addresses ODI's concerns.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10332525, 10357937, 10366591, 10303744, 10377166, 10373240, 10343969, 10375403, 10324831, 10373546, 10370771.
An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.
Investigation details
Identifiers, dates and outcome as recorded by NHTSA
- Action number
- PE11009
- Investigation type
- Preliminary Evaluation (PE)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- Component
- STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
- Opened
- Apr 4, 2011
- Closed
- Feb 6, 2012
- Associated recall campaign
- 11V350000
Vehicles named in this investigation
10 model years across 5 models
Being named here means NHTSA included the vehicle in the scope of its inquiry. It is not a statement that these vehicles have a defect.