Recall: 1997-2001 Ram (1500): AIR BAGS

[FONT=&quot]NHTSA #:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] 474,475,479,480,488[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Make: DODGE
Model: RAM
Model Year: 1997-2001
MFG Campaign #: 982

Description: AIR BAGS[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Manufacturer that filed defect/noncompliance report[/FONT][FONT=&quot]: DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Begin Date of MFG: 8/15/1996
End Date of MFG: 10/31/2000
Vehicle, Equipment, or Tire report: V

Number of units affected: 216,100
Date owner notified by MFG: 6/18/2001

Recall Initiator: MFR
MFG's of Recalled Vehicles/Products: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Defect Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION); ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION); LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION); AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION). IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Consequence Summary:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Corrective Summary:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. 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=&quot]Recall Notes:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).[/FONT]