NHTSA Complaint #11278267 — 2016 RAM 3500

I APPLAUD YOUR WORK IN HOLDING AUTOMAKERS ACCOUNTABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUES. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR V06/NHTSA 19V-021 (STEERING SYSTEM RECALL). RATHER THAT PROVIDING NEW PARTS FOR THE DEFECTIVE PARTS, RAM STATES THAT NHTSA HAS APPROVED WELDING THE STEERING JAM NUTS TO THE ADJUSTER. THE DEALER SUBMITTED A STAR CASE (#101582875) TO HAVE REPAIR PARTS PROVIDED WHICH WAS DENIED, BASED ON NHTSA APPROVAL OF WELDING. ALSO, CALLED RAM CARE (CASE # 68052515) THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE REPAIR PARTS AND DIRECTED ME TO CONTACT THEIR FCA HQS VIA STANDARD MAIL. IT IS APPALLING TO ME THAT WE HAVE HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS ON THE ROAD THAT COST OVER $60K AND RATHER THAT REQUIRING RAM TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS, WE ALLOW THEM TO WELD PARTS. MOST OF THESE HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS ARE USED TO HAUL HEAVY TRAILERS. WELDS IF NOT DONE PROPERLY WEAKEN METAL AND CAN BREAK UNDER STRESS. ADDITIONALLY, THIS FIX (WELDING) RENDERS STEERING SYSTEM ADJUSTMENTS INOPERABLE WITHOUT GRINDING THE WELD ADJUSTING THE STEERING AND RE-WELDING THE PART ALL OF WHICH DAMAGES AND STRESSES THE CRITICAL EXISTING STEERING PARTS. REQUEST THAT NHTSA REQUIRE RAM TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING PARTS AND NOT ALLOW A JAM NUT TO THE ADJUSTER WELD AS A PERMANENT FIX TO THE STEERING SAFETY RECALL. THANKS