Recall Redux: Fiat Chrysler Calls Back 600,000 Vehicles for Problems You've Already Heard About

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Sudden stalls. Tailgates that open on their own. These issues formed the basis of two Fiat Chrysler recalls in 2018, and, one year later, history is repeating itself.

On Friday, the automaker called back roughly 600,000 Chrysler Pacifica minivans and Ram pickups for the same ghost-in-the-machine phenomena that led to the earlier recalls.

Included in the latest round of recalls are 198,731 U.S. Pacificas hailing from the 2017 to 2019 model years, as well as roughly 410,000 U.S. Ram 1500s, 2500s, and 3500s from the 2015 to 2017 model years, as well as 2019 models built until March 31st of that year. The recall only covers Rams with eight-foot cargo beds (a configuration not included in the earlier recall).

Outside the country’s borders, 8,300 Pacificas in Canada and 1,100 in Mexico face a recall. The Ram tally amounts to 63,753 pickups in Canada and 4,02o south of the border.

In February of 2018, FCA recalled a slew of 2017 Pacificas after deciding the “vehicle’s engine control module (ECM) may incorrectly assess the engine’s operating status,” leading to stalls. This time around, the Pacificas are being recalled after an FCA investigation “discovered a wiring harness may be contaminated with sealer, which may interrupt an electrical circuit.”

“Should this occur, the vehicle may exhibit stalling or intermittent loss of power steering,” the company stated. The company plans to “inspect and clean, as needed, an electrical contact to help ensure reliable battery operation.”

The Ram issue is the same one that led to 2018’s recall of 1.4 million pickups from the same model years. “An investigation by FCA US discovered the power locking mechanisms in the tailgates of these pickups share a small internal component that may break over time. If this were to happen, a vehicle’s tailgate may unlatch,” the company stated.

As no one wants to spill their kid’s dorm furniture all over the interstate at 80 mph (assuming they didn’t make use of straps), owners would be advised to watch their mailbox for that recall notice. It should show up this month. Trucks with manual tailgate locks are not included in the callback.

[Images: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Dantes_inferno Dantes_inferno on May 19, 2019

    FCA's motto: Dodge testing. RAM it into production.

  • Bullnuke Bullnuke on May 19, 2019

    Some auto manufacturers don't run 'em out the door with problems that require the inconvenience to the purchaser for correction. From a recent TTAC article, "(The manufacturer) suspended assembly at its (component) facility over a suspected defect affecting the electric power steering unit of (three) models. What would have been a big issue for some automakers turned into a gargantuan one for (the manufacturer) because (the component facility) accounts for around 60 percent of the company’s global production. When it idled the facility to deal with the affected models, it also had to halt assembly of everything else manufactured there for nearly two weeks." This manufacturer was referred to as struggling by TTAC because of, "Annual Profit Effectively Halved Due to Quality Control Issues". Perhaps FCA should also have struggled a bit.

  • Ty I have truly loved each Olds, Buick, and Cadillac I've owned. Well, except for that stupid 1990 STS with a bad brake booster I was too poor to repair. I digress... My love is primarily for the 1895-90 98, Electra/Park, 1986-91 & 92-late 90s 88 (better with the word Delta before it), LeSabre, Bonneville, 1989-93 , 97-99 DeVille. But I have true respect for the Calais/ Skylark (& Somerset)/ Grand Am from that era. They were the work horses. I would buy a brand new Olds if they hadn't executed the brand in 2004.
  • MaintenanceCosts What is the actual out-the-door price? Is it lower or higher than that of a G580?
  • ToolGuy Supercharger > Turbocharger. (Who said this? Me, because it is the Truth.)I have been thinking of obtaining a newer truck to save on fuel expenses, so this one might be perfect.
  • Zerofoo Calling Fisker a "small automaker" is a stretch. Fisker designed the car - Magna actually builds the thing.It would be more accurate to call Fisker a design house.
  • ToolGuy Real estate, like cars: One of the keys (and fairly easy to do) is to know which purchase NOT to make. Let's see: 0.43 acre lot within shouting distance of $3-4 million homes. You paid $21.8M in 2021, but want me to pay $35M now? No, thank you. (The buyer who got it for $8.5M in 2020, different story, maybe possibly.) [Property taxes plus insurance equals $35K per month? I'm out right there lol.] Point being, you can do better for that money. (At least the schools are good? Nope lol.)If I bought a car company, I would want to buy Honda. Because other automakers have to get up and go to work to make things happen, but Honda can just nap away because they have the Power of Dreams working for them. They can just rest easy and coast to greatness. Shhhh don't wake them. Also don't alert their customers lol.
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