Complaint 2079345

Complaint Summary

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owner Narrative

I am writing to report an ongoing issue with my 2016 Ram 3500 (V6), related to Safety Recall V06 (NHTSA 19V-021) for the drag link, which was performed in 2020 before I purchased the vehicle two years ago. The recall "fix" involved welding the adjustable nuts on the steering linkage, rendering it non-adjustable. Since then, I have been unable to get a proper front-end alignment at any service shop. Multiple mechanics have refused to perform an alignment because the welded drag link cannot be adjusted, and they’ve stated it compromises the vehicle's steering integrity and tire wear. This is a significant safety concern. Without the ability to align the front end, the vehicle’s handling is affected, potentially leading to uneven tire wear, reduced control, or worse, a steering-related failure. I’ve contacted dealerships and Chrysler (FCA US LLC), but they insist the recall was completed and offer no further remedy, despite the fact that this weld does not allow for standard maintenance. New Ram 3500s off the assembly line come with adjustable drag links, not welded ones, which proves this was a poor fix for a safety issue. I urge the NHTSA to revisit this recall and require Chrysler to replace the defective drag link with a proper, adjustable component, rather than leaving owners like me with a substandard repair that hinders basic vehicle maintenance and safety. I purchased this truck in good faith, but this unresolved issue has made it a liability. Please investigate and address this matter before it leads to more serious consequences.

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.