Safety Investigation of a Million Ram Pickups
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into 1.2 million Ram pickup trucks due to safety issues. The models in question had previously been recalled for a faulty transmission shift interlock. According to the regulator, seven cases of injury related to this defect have been recorded.
The investigation concerns Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 pickups manufactured between 2013 and 2018, which feature a column-mounted gear shift lever. Owners of these vehicles had previously contacted dealers to fix the issue, but it has been found that the repair was not always effective.
The Essence of the Technical Problem
The problem lies in the fact that the transmission shift interlock (BTSI) block can overheat with prolonged use, leading to deformation of the plastic housing and degradation of the lubricant’s properties. As a result, the mechanism can remain in the open position, allowing the transmission to be shifted without pressing the brake pedal or even without the ignition key. This significantly increases the risk of the vehicle moving unintentionally.
The original recalls affected over 1.4 million vehicles in 2017 and another 180,000 in 2018. NHTSA is now checking whether the repair work actually resolved the problem and is trying to identify other possible causes of the malfunctions.
This situation highlights the importance of continuous monitoring of vehicle safety even after official recalls. Manufacturers and regulators will have to investigate the technical aspects of the malfunction in more detail to prevent similar incidents in the future. Drivers are advised to be especially careful when parking and to check that the vehicle is securely parked.