Nearly 2 million Dodge Ram trucks recalled over roll away risk

Consumers depend on manufacturers to ensure that their vehicles and other safety-critical purchases are safe. The bigger the brand name, the more entrenched the expectation that the product in question has faced and passed rigorous safety testing. While that may be true of many products, individual batches of components or minor changes to design may not undergo the same level of safety testing, leaving consumers vulnerable to potential fatal malfunctions.

It can be difficult to detect and properly address serious defects in vehicles. People can end up experiencing traumatic accidents, sustaining serious injuries or even dying as a result of defective components in vehicles. The recent announcement of a Dodge Ram recall involving roughly 1.8 millions vehicles highlights the risk to consumers related to poor manufacturer policies.

Ram recall showcases risk from faulty components

In certain situations, affected Ram trucks could suddenly roll away. The issue involves the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI), which could get disabled if subjected to high-temperature conditions for expended periods. When the BTSI fails, the truck may unexpectedly shift out of park and move, especially if it is on an incline.

As you may imagine, a truck that won’t stay parked could cause all kinds of chaos and damage. According to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, at least seven reported cases so far involve injuries, and there are a number of other crashes that are probably related to this recall.

The maker will inspect vehicles potentially affected by the BTSI issue and repair those that require it. Truck owners who worry their vehicles are part of this recall can contact the automaker at (866) 220-6747.

Heavy duty trucks are the largest portion of trucks affected, representing about 1.5 million of the recalled vehicles. Model years that may be part of the recall include 2009-2017 Ram 1500 light duty trucks and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks. Also, vehicles featuring the 2011-2017 Ram chassis cab (3500, 4500 and 5500) are a part of this recall.

Faulty components put consumers at undue risk of crashes

It’s reasonable to expect that a brand new vehicle purchased from a domestic manufacturer will operate safely for many years with proper maintenance and upkeep. Sadly, when a manufacturer makes a mistake in design or fails to test critical components, like the BTSI or any part of the engine or braking systems, consumers may experience increased risk of a crash without ever realizing it.

In cases where manufacturer mistakes and oversight result in severe injuries, permanent disability, property damage or death, consumers may have the right to take legal action against the manufacturer. If you experienced a car crash related to a faulty component that has since gotten recalled, you should consider your options for compensation carefully.