Ram recalls more than 170,000 of its trucks due to a problem with their windshield wipers. The auto manufacturer first investigated the issue on November 17, 2021, after seeing an increase in warranty claims being made from customers about inoperable wipers on their vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a recall notice, stating that "an improperly formed wiper arm head joint may not correctly form the splines of the head joint on the wiper arm." The NHTSA added that this issue "could strip the joint and cause the wiper arm to stop working when drivers switch them on."
A total of 171,789 vehicles are affected by the recall of Ram and the NHTSA. The trucks impacted by the windshield wiper defects are 107,864 Ram 2500 models built between April 27, 2019, and March 9, 2020.
Also included in the recall are 38,786 Ram 3500 models, 17,007 Ram 4500/5500 Cab Chassis models, and 8,007 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis models, all of which were built between April 27, 2019, and March 9, 2020. Ram 3500 Cab Chassis models with a gross vehicle weight rating of fewer than 10,000-lbs (4,535 kg) built from April 30, 2019, to February 26, 2020, are also involved in the company's recall.
The recall specifically affects Ram trucks with model years 2019 and 2020. Fortunately for truck owners and Ram itself, the fix for the defective windshield wipers is very simple, and that is for the car manufacturer to retighten the wiper arm nuts.
Parent company Stellantis, which owns the Ram brand, has confirmed that it will start notifying dealerships and owners about the recall on or around March 18. Affected customers will be instructed to bring their vehicle to a local dealership where the loose wiper nuts will be tightened to the correct torque.
As with all recalls, Ram will perform this work free of charge. There is also good news for owners who have previously paid to have this issue resolved before as FCA will also reimburse them for the expenses they incurred for the fix.
Related Article: Ford to Spend Another $20 Billion for EV Program as Carmaker Plans Major Reorganization in Company
This is not the first time Ram has been affected by such a problem. In April 2020, approximately 425,600 model-year 2019-20 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic pickup trucks and Jeep Compass SUVs produced before March 3 of that year were recalled by parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles due to the possibility of their windshield wiper arms loosening. That would reduce the driver's visibility in adverse weather conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ram owners who think their vehicle is affected by the windshield wiper issue and have questions about this particular recall, they can contact the Ram customer service hotline at 1-800-853-1403 with a reference recall number Z08.
READ MORE ON AWN:
Skoda Unveils Enyaq Coupé iV; Rally Sport is Brand's 1st Hot Electric Vehicle With 295bhp Twin-motor
Three Rare Fords Go Up for Auction Including First 2022 S550 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR
See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?
