Louisiana drivers may be concerned to learn that Fiat Chrysler has announced another recall. This time, the Detroit-based automaker is recalling over 182,000 pickup trucks due to a potential problem with the power steering system.
According to the announcement, which was made on Jan. 25, the power steering issue affects 2019 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. However, approximately one-third of the involved vehicles have not yet been sold and are sitting on dealership lots. Chrysler Fiat said that fasteners for batteries in the power steering electrical system were not properly secured when the vehicles were made. As a result, they could shake loose and cause the power steering to fail. However, to date, there have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to the problem. No official start date was announced for the recall, but regulations mandate that it must begin within 60 days. Once the recall begins, owners will be able to bring their vehicles to a dealership for a free repair.
This is already the second recall by Fiat Chrysler in 2019. In mid-January, the Italian-American car manufacturer announced the recall of 1.6 million cars due to exploding Takata airbags. The faulty airbags, which were installed in around 50 million vehicles from various automakers, have forced the largest automotive recall in U.S. history. So far, 23 fatalities worldwide have been linked to the airbags.
Automakers have a legal responsibility to provide safe products to the public. If someone is injured by a defective auto part, he or she may have the right to file a product liability lawsuit against the carmaker and the company that manufactured the faulty part. If the suit is successful, the injured victim might be awarded compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish and other related damages.
Source: CBS News, “Fiat Chrysler recalls 182,000 Ram trucks over power steering failures,” Jan. 26, 2019