Chrysler parent Stellantis is recalling 280,000 Ram heavy-duty diesel trucks worldwide because of a fire risk, according to a November 17 filing with the US Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The models affected by the recall include the 2020 to 2023 Ram 2500 and the 2020 to 2022 Ram 3500 trucks. Pressure and heat buildup in a vehicle's transmission can cause transmission oil to leak, which can cause a vehicle fire. Between March and October, the company received reports of 16 vehicle fires and one minor injury that could be related to the defect, but the company received no reports of crashes related to the defect.
The recall includes 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engines and automatic transmissions, of which 248,000 are in the United States. A warning light may appear on the dashboard before a transmission oil leak, Stellantis said, and owners who observe a warning light should contact their dealer. The company said it is currently working on a fix for the recall.
Stellantis issued a recall in October affecting thousands of Ram HD trucks because of a possible short circuit in a relay, a defect that could also cause fires. The Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 are all affected by this recall. Launching two recalls in a short period of time means Ram dealers will have to be busy dealing with recalls and fixes in the coming weeks.