January 24, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V020000

Loose Ground Causing Power Steering Assist Loss

A loss of power steering could vary the steering effort required, possibly causing vehicle oversteer or understeer, increasing the risk of crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V020

Manufacturer Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Components STEERING

Potential Number of Units Affected 159,740

 

Summary

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Ram 1500 vehicles. The battery ground fastener on the driver-side front fender may have been improperly secured, possibly resulting in a loss of power steering assist.

 

Remedy

Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will properly secure the ground fastener, free of charge. The recall began on February 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is V04.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

Check if your Vehicle has a Recall

 

---

February 2019

Dealer Service Instructions for:

Safety Recall V04 / NHTSA 19V-TBD* Ground Cable

 

Remedy Available  

2019

(DT)

RAM 1500 Pickup

 

NOTE:  This recall applies only to the above vehicles built from October 31, 2017

through October 25, 2018 (MDH 103109 through  102506).

 

IMPORTANT:  Some of the involved vehicles may be in dealer new vehicle inventory.  Federal law requires you to complete this recall service on these vehicles before retail delivery.  Dealers should also consider this requirement to apply to used vehicle inventory and should perform this recall on vehicles in for service.  Involved vehicles can be determined by using the VIP inquiry process.

 

Subject

The 12-Volt battery ground on about 159,710 of the above vehicles may have been built with a loose 12-Volt battery body ground cable fastener. This condition may cause an intermittent battery ground connection, and may result in an intermittent loss of power steering assist with inconsistent steering effort required by the driver. Inconsistent steering effort may contribute to oversteer and understeer conditions which can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.

 

Repair

See service procedure below.

 

Service Procedure

1. Place the vehicle in the “PARK” position and place the ignition in the “Off” position.
2. Pull on the hood release lever and open the hood.
3. Disconnect the 12-Volt negative cable at the battery post.
4. Remove the 13mm hex head nut from the body ground cable and Powertrain Control Module ground strap stud located on the  left side of the fender (Figure 1).

Figure 1 – Left Side of Engine Compartment

 

5. Inspect the ground stud threads and nut for any carbon deposits, clean as necessary.
6. Using a torque wrench tighten the nut to 20 N·m (14ft. lbs.) to achieve the required torque.

NOTE: If the nut is not able to achieve the required torque, the stud will need to be replaced, please contact the FCA STAR Center on how to proceed with the repair.

 

7. Reconnect the 12v ground cable at the battery post and tighten to 5 N·m (45In. lbs.).
8. Close hood and return the vehicle to the customer.

 

Completion Reporting and Reimbursement

Claims for vehicles that have been serviced must be submitted on the DealerCONNECT Claim Entry Screen located on the Service tab.   Claims paid will be used by FCA to record recall service completions and provide dealer payments.

 

Use the following labor operation number and time allowance:

	Labor Operation Number	Time Allowance
Inspect and verify torque at G2A ground nut	08-V0-41-82	0.2 hours

 

NOTE:  See the Warranty Administration Manual, Recall Claim Processing Section, for complete recall claim processing instructions.

 

Dealer Notification

To view this notification on DealerCONNECT, select “Global Recall System” on the Service tab, then click on the description of this notification.

 

Owner Notification and Service Scheduling

All involved vehicle owners known to FCA are being notified of the service requirement by first class mail.  They are requested to schedule appointments for this service with their dealers.  A generic copy of the owner letter is attached.

 

Vehicle Lists, Global Recall System, VIP and Dealer Follow Up

All involved vehicles have been entered into the DealerCONNECT Global Recall System (GRS) and Vehicle Information Plus (VIP) for dealer inquiry as needed.

GRS provides involved dealers with an updated VIN list of their incomplete vehicles.  The owner’s name, address and phone number are listed if known.  To use this system, click on the _{“Service”}  tab and then click on _{“Global Recall} Completed vehicles are removed from GRS within several days of repair claim submission.

System.”  Your dealer’s VIN list for each recall displayed can be sorted by: those vehicles that were unsold at recall launch, those with a phone number, city, zip code, or VIN sequence.

Dealers must perform this repair on all unsold vehicles before retail delivery. Dealers should also use the VIN list to follow up with all owners to schedule appointments for this repair.

Recall VIN lists may contain confidential, restricted owner name and address information that was obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles of various states.  Use of this information is permitted for this recall only and is strictly prohibited from all other use.

 

Additional Information

If you have any questions or need assistance in completing this action, please contact your Service and Parts District Manager.

Customer Services / Field Operations

FCA US LLC

---

This notice applies to your vehicle,

 [Model Year and Model]  VIN XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX V04/NHTSA 19V-020

 

LOGO

VEHICLE PICTURE

YOUR SCHEDULING OPTIONS

 

1. RECOMMENDED OPTION Call your authorized Chrysler / Dodge / Jeep / RAM Dealership 
2. Call the FCA Recall Assistance Center at 1-800-853-1403. An agent can confirm part availability and help schedule an appointment 
3. Visit mopar.com, scan the QR code below, or download the Mopar Owner’s Companion App.

 

QR Code

 

Get access to recall notifications, locate your nearest dealer, and more through this website or Mopar Owner’s Companion App. You will be asked to provide your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to protect and verify your identity. The last eight characters of your VIN are provided above.

 

DEALERSHIP INSTRUCTIONS

Please reference Safety Recall V04.

---

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

Ground Cable

 

Dear [Name],

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. 

FCA has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain [2019 RAM 1500 Pickup] vehicles.

It is extremely important to take steps now to repair your vehicle to ensure the safety of you and your passengers.

 

WHY DOES MY VEHICLE NEED REPAIRS?

The 12-Volt battery ground on your vehicle ^[1] may have been built with a loose 12-Volt battery body ground cable fastener. This condition may cause an intermittent battery ground connection, and may result in an intermittent loss of power steering assist with inconsistent steering effort required by the driver. Inconsistent steering effort may contribute to oversteer and understeer conditions which can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.

 

HOW DO I RESOLVE THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE?

FCA will repair your vehicle ^[2] free of charge (parts and labor).  To do this, your dealer will inspect the suspect ground fastener, and torque the ground fastener.  In addition, your dealer will require your vehicle for proper check-in, preparation, and check-out during your visit.  Your time is important to us; please be aware that these steps may require more time.  The estimated repair time is half an hour.  We recommend that you schedule a service appointment to minimize your inconvenience.  Please bring this letter with you to your dealership.

 

TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE REPAIR, CALL YOUR CHRYSLER, DODGE, JEEP OR RAM DEALER TODAY

 

WHAT IF I ALREADY PAID TO HAVE THIS REPAIR COMPLETED?

If you have already experienced this specific condition and have paid to have it repaired, you may visit www.fcarecallreimbursement.com to submit your reimbursement request online. ^[3] Once we receive and verify the required documents, reimbursement will be sent to you within 60 days.  If you have had previous repairs performed and/or already received reimbursement, you may still need to have the recall repair performed.

 

We apologize for any inconvenience, but are sincerely concerned about your safety.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

 

Customer Assistance/Field Operations

FCA US LLC

---

 

Mr. Mrs. Customer
1234 Main Street
Hometown, MI 48371

 

[1] If you no longer own this vehicle, please help us update our records. Call the FCA Recall Assistance Center at 1-800-853-1403 to update your information.

[2] If your dealer fails or is unable to remedy this defect without charge and within a reasonable time, you may submit a written complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington, DC  20590, or you can call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-4249153), or go to safercar.gov.

[3] You can also mail in your original receipts and proof of payment to the following address for reimbursement consideration: FCA Customer Assistance, P.O. Box 21-8004, Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8007, Attention: Recall Reimbursement.

 

Note to lessors receiving this recall notice: Federal regulation requires that you forward this recall notice to the lessee within 10 days.

---

1 Affected Product

Vehicle

RAM

1500

2019

 

---

8 Associated Documents

ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-19V020-8166.pdf 515.278KB

 

---

Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-19V020-8175.PDF 214.193KB

 

---

Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-19V020-3675.pdf 553.924KB

 

---

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-19V020-3899.pdf 245.065KB

 

---

Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2019-1

RCLQRT-19V020-4325.PDF 211.153KB

 

---

Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2019-2

RCLQRT-19V020-1067.PDF 211.266KB

 

---

ISSUED Renotification Notice

RCRN-19V020-5712.pdf 304.409KB

 

---

Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2019-3

RCLQRT-19V020-2947.PDF 211.351KB

---

Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=19V020&docType=RCL

 

---

 

Last update on 2026-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This product presentation was made with AAWP plugin.