Ram Pickups Recalled Over Headlight, Turn Signal Snafus
» Posted January 24, 2024 • Resources | Share This Post
Chrysler is calling back more than 142,000 Ram pickup trucks, citing problems with high-beam headlights and turn signals.
The recalled trucks’ headlights and signals may illuminate inadvertently, Chrysler recently told federal safety regulators. The company blamed a defect in the vehicles’ steering column control modules.
“A turn signal which remains active after a completed turn may cause surrounding drivers to misunderstand the intent to change vehicle direction,” Chrysler said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “High beam activation when the turn signal switch is activated may result in reduced visibility of oncoming drivers.”
“Either of these conditions may cause a vehicle crash without prior warning,” Chrysler acknowledged.
The recall covers certain 2023 Ram 1500 Classic, Ram 3500 Classic, 3500 Cab Chassis as well as 2023-2024 Ram 2500, 4500/5500 Cab Chassis and Ram 3500 vehicles.
Chrysler plans to notify owners of recalled trucks by mail by Jan. 17, the company told NHTSA. It will ask owners to bring their vehicles to authorized service providers for inspection and repair. The company is also pledging to reimburse owners who have already incurred out of pocket expenses trying to address the issue.
Legal Rights for Ram Drivers in California
These kinds of recalls are all too common for Chrysler and other major automakers around the world. They call back millions of vehicles every year, citing a wide range of defects that pose safety hazards to everyone on the road.
In May, for example, Chrysler recalled more than 300,000 Ram pickup trucks over fire risks. The company said at the time that it was aware of at least six related engine fires and urged owners to park outside until their vehicles are repaired.
One of the problems with these recalls is that they often come long after defective cars have been sold to unsuspecting buyers. Fortunately, certain Ram and other car owners in California do not need to wait around for a recall in order to get faulty vehicles fixed.
The California lemon law generally requires car manufacturers to perform a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces the companies to buy back (or replace, in some cases) cars that they cannot or will not fix. That includes covering the vehicle’s purchase price and financing costs, as well as rental car and other related expenses.
There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback requirement kicks in. That is one of several reasons why it is important to consult an experienced California lemon law attorney.
Our California Lemon Law Attorneys Can Help
If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.
Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.
