Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 on 2040-cars

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Three Ram recalls affect more than a million pickups

Millions of Ram pickups across many of its model lines in the US are in need of recall repairs due to three campaigns by the truck maker. The largest of this trio covers 1.06 million examples in the US of the 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, and chassis cab versions of the 3500, 4500, and 5500 because of potential inadvertent driver-side airbag deployment. In addition to those affected here, there are 235,925 in Canada, 26,543 in Mexico, and 23,635 elsewhere. There are also two related injures from this problem, but no reports of accidents, according to the company. While the recall was mysteriously ignored in the media at the time, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced details of this campaign in late July. The next largest among the three covers 188,000 examples of the 2014 and 2015 Ram 1500 Quad Cab in the US because their side-curtain airbags don't fully overlap the C-pillars when deployed, which is in violation of federal rules. Conceivably, rear passengers not wearing their seatbelt could be more likely to be ejected in a crash. Ram's repair for the issue is still being developed, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but the company advises all occupants to be buckled in. The final campaign affects 156,498 the company's heavy-duty trucks in the US, including the 2013 Ram 3500 and 2014 Ram 2500, 3500, and 3500 Chassis Cab. In addition, there are 20,603 in Canada and 3,241 elsewhere. Of the 13,236 in Mexico, a few units of the 2014 Ram 1500 exclusive to that market are also covered. The company found that the welds for some steering parts might have "insufficient fusion." If the part breaks, then vehicles are still controllable but with diminished response. There are no reported injuries but one minor accident. The fix involves installing a reinforcement bracket. Related Video: Statement: Steering-wheel Wiring Harness September 10, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is conducting a voluntary safety recall to inspect and service, as required, wiring harnesses in an estimated 1.06 million U.S.-market trucks. Investigation by FCA US discovered certain trucks may have steering-wheel wiring harnesses that wear because of contact with a spring. Such wear may cause a short-circuit that may lead to inadvertent driver-side air-bag deployment. The Company is aware of two related injuries, but no accidents.

Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, Toyota Tundra flunk IIHS headlight test

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety put pickup truck headlights to the test and found that the majority of them were equipped with subpar units. The 2017 Honda Ridgeline was the only truck to earn a rating of "good." The large pickup truck test was comprised of the: 2016 to 2017 GMC Sierra, 2017 Nissan Titan, 2016 Ram 1500, 2016 to 2017 Chevrolet Silverado, 2016 to 2017 Ford F-150, and 2016 to 2017 Toyota Tundra. The Sierra's headlights earned a rating of "acceptable," the headlights found on the Titan and Ram 1500 were found to be "marginal," and the ones on the Silverado, F-150, and Tundra were rated as "poor." IIHS claims the F-150 was the most disappointing out of the large pickup trucks as both its halogen and optional LED headlights failed to provide adequate visibility during testing. The Ridgeline (which earned a "good rating"), is usually considered a midsize or small truck, though IIHS included it in the field of large pickups. The headlights on the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, 2016 GMC Canyon, 2016 Nissan Frontier, and 2016 to 2017 Toyota Tacoma, which made up the small pickup truck group, all earned a rating of "poor." The IIHS claimed the Colorado had the worst headlights of any truck that was tested, as the base vehicle's units were only able to illuminate up to 123 feet in front of the car. The Ridgeline's headlights, for reference, were able to illuminate up to 358 feet in front of the vehicle. To conduct its test, the IIHS utilizes a special tool to measure how far light is projected out of the headlights in different driving situations. The trucks' headlights were tested in a straight line and in corners, while vehicles with high-beam assist were given extra praise. The headlights on the pickup trucks also mimic the testing that was done on small SUVs and cars earlier this year. Next year, automakers will need to fit their vehicles with headlights that earn a rating of either good or acceptable to earn the IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Related Video:

FCA joining virtual CES with in-depth tours and Jeep Wrangler 4xe in AR

CES is sort of, technically happening, but it won’t be the CES weÂ’ve all become accustomed to over the years. Automakers will be doing their best to participate virtually, assuming they decide to join in the festivities at all. FCA is one that will have a little nugget of tech to share with us. A few main experiences will be made available to anybody with a computer. FCAÂ’s main draw is meant to be “highly detailed interactive product tours” where you can get to know a number of vehicles in a virtual world and hear from a “virtual brand ambassador” throughout the tour. You wonÂ’t be able to sit in and crawl through the cars like a normal auto show for the public, but FCA is promising a rather immersive experience online. The guided tour through the cars and technologies will be available in 12 FCA vehicles, two of those being the new Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept and Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. FCA plans to offer in-depth talks about how it tests vehicles, too. There are demonstrations planned for wind tunnels, the four-post shaker, an advanced drive simulator and general performance testing. Additionally, FCA plans on providing more insight into Uconnect 5 and vehicle electrification systems. WeÂ’re guessing the latter will offer up details on the Wrangler 4xe. The plug-in hybrid Wrangler will also be the star of FCAÂ’s AR play at CES. Everybody will be able to scan a QR code on FCAÂ’s site, then have access to a Wrangler 4xe on their phone. YouÂ’ll be able to “put it” in your driveway virtually, change the colors and get up close and personal with the interior.  All of this will launch on fcaces2021.com at 9 a.m. ET on January 11 (official first day of the virtual CES show), so surf on over there next week if you want to check it out. Related video: