AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation, PE 22-012, into consumer complaints of braking loss by model-year 2017-2018 Ram heavy duty pickup trucks.
The agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 134 reports from consumers alleging an intermittent or permanent loss of braking performance in certain Ram 2500 and 3500 models, a population which could reach some 390,000 vehicles.
According to the NHTSA ODI Resume, “The alleged failures continue to occur at a steady rate across both models, at all speeds, with limited detectability. The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) module works in conjunction with the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU), an electromechanical device that controls hydraulic pressure to the individual wheel brake assemblies, to manage braking forces during emergency stops. Several reports indicate that the replacement of both ABS module and HCU appear to correct the alleged failures.
“A preliminary evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of the alleged defect in the subject vehicle.”
Should the investigation determine these vehicles exhibit an unreasonable safety risk or fail to meet minimum safety standards, it might order a recall. In addition, Stellantis could issue a recall if it comes to a similar determination.
Stellantis, Ram’s parent company, has said it was fully cooperating with the NHTSA investigation.
