Trusty Column Shifter Can't Be Trusted in These Recalled Rams

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

We have a particular fondness for the unintrusive, non-gimmicky column shifter here at TTAC. They’re satisfying to shift, pleasingly retro, and free up space between the front seats for any number of things, including a seat. Column shifters also keep your eyes pointed straight ahead, instead of having them wandering around the console or bottom of the center stack, searching for that newfangled dial shifter or push-button array.

Sadly, the column shifters in more than 228,000 Ram trucks are an invitation to danger. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has announced a recall of so-equipped models in the hopes of preventing rollaway accidents.

While FCA says while there’s no known accidents or injuries associated with the issue, the vehicles do pose a risk to occupants and bystanders.

“An FCA US investigation discovered the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) may overheat on certain vehicles equipped with steering column gear-shifters. This condition has been linked to protracted brake-pedal application while vehicles idle in ‘park,'” the automaker said in a statement.

“If overheating occurs, a vehicle’s shifter may be repositioned without brake-pedal application, or the presence of a key in the ignition.”

In this scenario, children left behind in the car (is that still legal?) or a rambunctious dog could knock the shifter out of park, sending the Ram on an unexpected journey. Applying the parking brake before exiting the vehicle is recommended. The issue affects some 228,508 vehicles sold in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Models with the sketchy shift interlock include 2017-2018 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, certain 2017-2018 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs, and 2016-2017 Ram 3500 chassis cabs with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs. A smaller number of 2017-2018 Ram 1500 pickups have the potential fault, as well.

The bulk of the recalled trucks exist in the U.S., though approximately 42,045 went to Canadian buyers, and 4,066 to the Mexican market. Another 1,422 made their way outside the continent.

[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Scout_Number_4 Scout_Number_4 on Feb 16, 2018

    --Models with the sketchy shift interlock include 2017-2018 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, certain 2017-2018 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs, and 2016-2017 Ram 3500 chassis cabs with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs. A smaller number of 2017-2018 Ram 1500 pickups have the potential fault, as well.-- I have a 2016 Ram 2500 and received the recall notice.

    • Scoutdude Scoutdude on Feb 17, 2018

      Your 2016 was part of the earlier recall of the earlier vehicles with the exact same problem.

  • Thelastdriver Thelastdriver on Feb 16, 2018

    Also apparently a problem in the Dodge Sprinter series too. A friend who works for the local cable company was parked outside my work. While visible through store windows the entire time after about five minutes it popped out of park (not running, no keys) and rolled into another customer's vehicle.

  • Kwik_Shift Hyunkia'sis doing what they do best...subverting expectations of quality.
  • MaintenanceCosts People who don't use the parking brake when they walk away from the car deserve to have the car roll into a river.
  • 3-On-The-Tree I’m sure they are good vehicles but you can’t base that on who is buying them. Land Rovers, Bentley’ are bought by Robin Leaches’s “The Rich and Famous” but they have terrible reliability.
  • SCE to AUX The fix sounds like a bandaid. Kia's not going to address the defective shaft assemblies because it's hard and expensive - not cool.
  • Analoggrotto I am sick and tired of every little Hyundai Kia Genesis flaw being blown out of proportion. Why doesn't TTAC talk about the Tundra iForce Max problems, Toyota V35A engine problems or the Lexus 500H Hybrid problems? Here's why: education. Most of America is illiterate, as are the people who bash Hyundai Kia Genesis. Surveys conducted by credible sources have observed a high concentration of Hyundai Kia Genesis models at elite ivy league universities, you know those places where students earn degrees which earn more than $100K per year? Get with the program TTAC.
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