Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced a recall of more than 317,000 Ram trucks from model years 2017-2018 due to failures in the hydraulic control unit (HCU) that affect critical safety systems, including anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control.
The recall includes the following vehicles:
• 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup
• 2017-2018 Ram 3500 Pickup
• 2017-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab
• 2017-2018 Ram 4500
• 2017-2018 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) first opened an investigation into Ram truck braking issues in November 2022. The probe revealed problems with HCU components in 2017-2018 Ram 2500 and 3500 models. Following this, FCA initiated its own investigation in October 2024 to include the 4500 and 5500 models.
FCA disclosed significant data related to the issue:
“As of Nov. 18, 2024, FCA US is aware of 4,622 customer assistance records, 53,448 warranty claims, and 1,460 field reports potentially relating to this issue for all markets with dates of receipt ranging from Nov. 1, 2016, to March 5, 2024,” the automaker said.
Drivers of affected trucks may notice warning lights illuminating when the ABS motor fails, signaling potential issues with the vehicle’s braking and stability systems.
To address the issue, FCA will mail recall notifications to affected Ram truck owners starting Jan. 9, 2025. Dealers will replace the faulty hydraulic control units at no cost. Owners with questions are encouraged to contact FCA at 800-853-1403 and reference recall number C4B.
Owners of any vehicle can check for open recalls using a VIN or license plate number at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
