NHTSA Complaint #11064865 — 2014 RAM PROMASTER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 RAM PROMASTER 2500 CARGO VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SWITCH THAT ENGAGED THE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM TO DEACTIVATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH (TO KEEP THE CARGO VAN FROM CATCHING ON FIRE) FAILED. THE SWITCH ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY SEVERAL TIMES, CAUSING THE CARGO VAN TO DEACTIVATE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM SWITCH. WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH FROM LOW TO HIGH BEAM LIGHTING, THE SWITCH ENGAGED THE TURN SIGNAL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE IN THE REAR BELIEVED THAT THE CONTACT WAS TURNING RIGHT, BUT INSTEAD THE CONTACT WAS MOVING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE IN THE REAR CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AREA OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN NUMEROUS TIMES TO HUNTINGTON JEEP CHRYSLER, DODGE, RAM (120 EAST JERICHO TURNPIKE, HUNTINGTON NY 11743, PHONE (631) 673-0270) FOR THE ELECTRICAL FAILURES; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CARGO VAN WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION EXHIBITED A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHILE TURNING. THE HUNTINGTON DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE VALVE ARMS AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE VALVE ARMS AND FRONT SUSPENSION WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.