[FONT="]NHTSA #:[/FONT][FONT="] 455/456/457/458/459/460[/FONT] [FONT="] Make: DODGE Model: RAM Model Year: 1994-1999 MFG Campaign #: 973 Description: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH[/FONT] [FONT="]Manufacturer that filed defect/noncompliance report[/FONT][FONT="]: DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION Begin Date of MFG: 7/23/1993 End Date of MFG: 5/10/1999 Vehicle, Equipment, or Tire report: V Number of units affected: 701,000 Date owner notified by MFG: 9/17/2001 Recall Initiator: ODI MFG's of Recalled Vehicles/Products: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC Defect Summary: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, AND MISSOURI. CORROSION OF THE RETURN SPRING ON THE HOOD SECONDARY LATCH COULD CAUSE THE MECHANISM TO BIND IN THE "RELEASE POSITION." [/FONT] [FONT="]Consequence Summary: [/FONT][FONT="]IF THE PRIMARY LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY.[/FONT] [FONT="]Corrective Summary:[/FONT][FONT="] DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403. [/FONT] [FONT="]Recall Notes: [/FONT][FONT="]DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO.973.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).[/FONT]
