NHTSA Complaint #10705504 — 2009 DODGE RAM 1500

ON 3/30/15 MY RAM TRUCK EXHIBITED THE CONDITION DESCRIBED IN THE K17 (REPROGRAM HVAC CONTROL HEAD AND INSPECT/REPLACE ACTUATORS) RECALL. THIS RECALL WAS CREATED TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION OF THE HVAC SYSTEM TO PROPERLY DEFROST/DEFOG THE WINDSHIELD. IT INVOLVES UPDATING SOFTWARE AND REPLACING MODE DOOR ACTUATORS. THE PLASTIC ACTUATOR GEARS CAN EASILY BE BROKEN WHEN THE CONTROL HEAD SENDS THE WRONG SIGNALS TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE MODE DOORS. AT THE MOMENT, MY DEFROSTER/HEATER IS NOT WORKING AND WHEN I FIRST START THE VEHICLE, THERE IS A SERIES OF KNOCKING SOUNDS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AS THE MALFUNCTIONING SYSTEM GOES THROUGH ITS PROGRESSIONS. I TOOK IT IN TO MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER (GURNEE) HOPING THAT THE RECALL WOULD ELIMINATE THE CONDITION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ACTUATORS BUT COULD NOT GET THE SYSTEM WORKING PROPERLY. HE SAID THE CONTROL HEAD IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY BUT THE RECALL ONLY COVERS THE SOFTWARE UPDATE AND NOT THE REPLACEMENT. FROM MY RESEARCH I HAVE NOTICED THAT OTHER RAM OWNERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. IF IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF THE CONTROL HEAD WEARING OUT AND NOT WORKING, I WOULD BE OKAY WITH REPLACING IT AT MY OWN EXPENSE. IN MY OPINION THOUGH, IT IS NOT A CASE OF 'WEAR AND TEAR' BUT INSTEAD I BELIEVE IT IS A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. THE FAULTY CONTROL HEAD CAUSES THE BREAKAGE OF THE ACTUATORS AND MODE DOORS. PEOPLE WHO ENCOUNTER THIS PROBLEM IN THE WINTER ARE AT RISK OF AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE INABILITY TO CLEAR THEIR WINDSHIELD. DRIVERS MAY EVEN NEED TO GET THEIR VEHICLES TOWED. I BELIEVE THAT DODGE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING THE SYSTEM TO ITS NORMAL CAPABILITIES. THAT IS WHAT A RECALL IS DESIGNED TO DO. THIS IS SIMPLY A CASE OF A PREVIOUSLY RECALLED VEHICLE REMEDY NOT WORKING AS DESIGNED. I CALLED DODGE CUSTOMER SUPPORT ON 4/10 AND TALKED TO A REP THAT SAID THE REPAIRS WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR