Loosen Your Load: Fiat Chrysler Recalls 1.1 Million Rams For Doing Just That

Fiat Chrysler doesn’t offer a hydraulic lift for its pickup beds, but having the tailgate swing down while the truck’s bouncing along at 75 mph might prove just as effective for rapidly unloading one’s cargo.

After an investigation turned up 5,000 instances of Ram pickups unexpectedly dropping their tailgates, Fiat Chrysler has another seven-figure recall on its hands.

This one covers the 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500. Some 1.1 million of the pickups were sold in the U.S., though there’s also more than 260,000 in Canada and another 19,000-plus in Mexico that’ll require a trip to the dealer.

The problem lies in the tailgate’s power-locking mechanism. A part can break in the latch mechanism, leading another part to exert enough force on the unlocking arms to spring the gate open. Recalled Rams will see the latch mechanism modified to keep that back gate shut.

While the number of Rams involved in the recall seems staggering, it’s not the full complement of pickups sold during that time period. Rams with manually locking tailgates, obviously, are not included, nor are those with eight-foot beds.

The automaker claims it began investigating the issue in May after a number of complaints landed at its doorstep. It soon uncovered more than 5,000 warranty or repair claims. A mail-out to customers should commence on September 14th.

Until the trucks undergo repair, FCA suggests drivers properly secure their cargo — advice that’s of no help for those hauling gravel. In that case, grabbing a different truck for the job is preferable. The automaker claims there’s been no reports of accident or injury stemming from the wonky tailgates.

[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]