500,000 Ram Trucks Recalled Over Wheel Defect

If you drive a Ram truck, you may want to check and see if it has been recalled before getting behind the wheel.

Stellantis recently announced that it is recalling some 500,000 trucks over concerns they could suffer from “wheel separation.” The company is blaming faulty information in the vehicles’ owner’s manuals.

“If owners remove and reattach the wheels or have that done during servicing and the instructions in the owner's manual are followed, the worry is that the lug nuts might be overtightened, according to the company,” Eric D. Lawrence writes for the Detroit Free Press. “That could potentially compromise the wheel studs and lead to wheel separation.”

The defect potentially puts everyone on the road at risk, Stellantis acknowledged in a notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

“A wheel separating from the vehicle could cause a vehicle crash without prior warning and/or the wheel/tire could pose a risk to other vehicles or pedestrians,” NHTSA said.

The recall covers 2012-21 Ram 3500 heavy-duty pickups and 4500 and 5500 cab-chassis vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The company said it plans to update the owner's manuals and inspect and replace wheel studs as needed. 

Car Defects and Legal Rights for California Vehicle Owners

The recall is not Stellantis’ first rodeo when it comes to notifying owners and lessors of serious defects long after the affected cars have left the factory floor.

The company recently recalled 20,000 Ram pickup trucks that it said are at risk of engine fires, for example. It said at the time that defective heater electrical relays could short and overheat, resulting in fires.

The good news for California car owners and lessors is that you do not need to wait for a recall to get a defective car fixed. The state’s lemon law offers some valuable rights and protections.

The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act requires carmakers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces manufacturers to buy back - or, in some cases, replace - vehicles that they are unable or unwilling to fix. 

There is no set number of repair requests or attempts that must be made before the buy-back requirement kicks in. That is one reason why it is important to seek the advice of a California lemon law attorney.

Speak with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a detective or malfunctioning vehicle in the Golden State, an experienced California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you understand and enforce your rights.

Our lawyers have represented hundreds of clients across the state in defective vehicle cases. We are tireless advocates, dedicated to ensuring that car manufacturers are held responsible when they do not live up to their responsibilities. Our firm has a strong track record of successful results for our clients.

Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.  Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.