NHTSA Complaint #11149959 — 2015 RAM PROMASTER

THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE PARKING BRAKE WHICH CAUSES IT TO FREEZE AND LOCK UP IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THIS VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH NO PARKING GEAR SO THE PARKING BRAKE IS REQUIRED TO PARK THE VEHICLE SO THAT IT DOES NOT ROLL. WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT WATER GETS INTO THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE AND FREEZES IN SUBZERO TEMPERATURES CAUSING THE PARKING BRAKE TO NOT ENGAGE, NOT RELEASE, OR ONLY RELEASE PARTIALLY SO THAT IT DRAGS. FROM THE DRIVERS PERSPECTIVE IT APPEARS NORMAL OTHER THAN HAVING LESS OR NO TENSION WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER IS APPLIED.OR RELEASED. WHEN THE CABLE IS FROZEN WHILE THE BRAKE IS DISENGAGED, THE BRAKE DOES NOT ENGAGE, SO THERE IS NO WAY TO PROPERLY PARK THE VEHICLE. WHEN FROZEN WHILE ENGAGED, THE BRAKE REMAINS ON OR ONLY PARTIALLY RELEASES WHICH CAUSES IT TO BE UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OR THE BRAKE WILL DRAG AND OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING. WE HAVE TWO OF THESE VEHICLES PURCHASED AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME FROM . ONE IN MINNESOTA AND THE OTHER IN TEXAS. BOTH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SO IT CLEARLY NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. ONE COST US OVER $2000 TO FIX BECAUSE THE ENTIRE BRAKE ASSEMBLY BECAME OVERHEATED AND DESTROYED ALMOST ALL OF THE WHEEL COMPONENTS. I'VE ATTACHED THE INVOICE FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVE NOT BROUGHT THIS UP EARLIER BECAUSE I WAS CERTAIN THAT IT WOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS BY NOW. WE USE THESE FOR DELIVERIES AND NOW OUR MANAGER IN MINNESOTA WILL NOT OPERATE THE VAN IN THE WINTER FOR SAFETY REASONS. TODAY THE DRIVER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE AT DELIVERY STOPS SO HAS TO FIND A PLACE TO PARK ON A HILL WITH THE WHEELS TOWARD THE CURB. THIS IS NOT A SAFE WAY TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THESE VEHICLES REALLY NEED TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.