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Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 wheel studs may break

NHTSA campaign 21V398000 · Reported 2021-05-27 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

high How serious is it? About this label

Serious — a wheel coming off at speed can cause a crash, so have the studs inspected promptly and do not let anyone tighten your lug nuts to the old specification.

What's wrong, in plain English

The owner's manual and service manual for these Ram trucks list the wrong tightening setting for the lug nuts that hold the wheels on. Following those instructions makes the nuts too tight, which can crack or break a wheel stud. If enough studs break, a wheel can come off the truck while you are driving. The dealer corrects the instructions and inspects your wheel studs, replacing any bad ones free.

What you should do

1. Verify your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2. Contact your Ram dealer, or FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403 (recalls Y26 and Y36), for the free inspection, stud replacement if needed, and corrected manual information.
3. If you hear clicking or feel a wobble from a wheel, stop driving and have the truck towed in.

Affected vehicles (11)

2018 RAM 3500
2018 RAM 4500
2018 RAM 5500
2019 RAM 3500
2019 RAM 4500
2019 RAM 5500
2020 RAM 3500
2020 RAM 4500
2020 RAM 5500
2021 RAM 3500
2021 RAM 5500

Who to contact

RAM — official RAM recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-853-1403

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

Official notice

Component: WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Safety risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.