RAM CARES and DRAG LINK RECALL !

[JayLuke]

That's good to know, thanks Kaitlin

 

[Senodil]

I am happy you guys have had it taken care of. Unfortuantely for me, after my service advisor told me to leave truck to take care of my link it was denied because my wheel is almost straight. He told me when it goes out of allignment to bring it back after keeping my truck for 2 days.... Complete ******** that they welded it in the first place, it was a stupid way to fix it.

 

[SeppW]

Writing checks again that FCA won’t cash?

I expressed concerns about the welding early on and subsequently purchased the updated drag link and submitted the reimbursement paperwork only to be denied. When I appealed to ‘Ram Cares’, I was told the decision was final on the reimbursement. It would be nice if you would be consistent about how your own policies are applied.

If the recall service procedure was done, then FCA will not reimburse for install of updated/aftermarket link.

If that was not the case, then I have read the claim and all requested documentation has to be complete; ATD, ATD.

 

[Team Horner]

If the recall service procedure was done, then FCA will not reimburse for install of updated/aftermarket link.

If that was not the case, then I have read the claim and all requested documentation has to complete; ATD, ATD.

You are correct, my claim was rejected because the welds has already been completed and they considered the ‘repair’ to be complete.

The issue for me is that the ‘repair’ isn’t a proper repair at all. It’s a band-aid by a multi-billion dollar company that could do the right and install the redesigned part at their cost, but instead would rather subject their customers to a half-assed ‘fix’ because it benefits their shareholders.

 

[SeppW]

You are correct, my claim was rejected because the welds has already been completed and they considered the ‘repair’ to be complete.

The issue for me is that the ‘repair’ isn’t a proper repair at all. It’s a band-aid by a multi-billion dollar company that could do the right and install the redesigned part at their cost, but instead would rather subject their customers to a half-assed ‘fix’ because it benefits their shareholders.

Yeah, I thought it was **** poor solution to an easy fix; just replace the link. I bought an updated OE link after considering other after market. I never took my wagon in for the recall either.

 

[GsRAM]

You are correct, my claim was rejected because the welds has already been completed and they considered the ‘repair’ to be complete.

The issue for me is that the ‘repair’ isn’t a proper repair at all. It’s a band-aid by a multi-billion dollar company that could do the right and install the redesigned part at their cost, but instead would rather subject their customers to a half-assed ‘fix’ because it benefits their shareholders.

Exactly correct. That's Precisely why I refused to allow them to weld mine from the get go. Katilin helped me finally get mine replaced by FCA so all is well now

 

[18CrewDually]

I still can't believe that the "repair" is to weld the jam nuts! Are they going to start replacing the drag link with the updated one from the 2019+ ?

It's not a repair really in my opinion. They check the integrity and if it passes they then stitch a flat of the jam nut so in the future it does not come loose.
If it is broke, fails test, then it is a repair in some cases replacement.
If an alignment is immediately needed, the weld can be ground off, removed, new nut installed, and then an alignment performed.
If you need an alignment because tie rod ends were wore out and replaced ect. I wouldn't expect Ram to replace it at no cost when this was performed in the past.
I'd be very surprised if they ever started replacing the entire draglink with a newer version when there really isn't anything wrong with the original, as long as it wasn't driven with the jam nuts loose.

 

[terb]

It's not a repair really in my opinion. They check the integrity and if it passes they then stitch a flat of the jam nut so in the future it does not come loose.
If it is broke, fails test, then it is a repair in some cases replacement.
If an alignment is immediately needed, the weld can be ground off, removed, new nut installed, and then an alignment performed.
If you need an alignment because tie rod ends were wore out and replaced ect. I wouldn't expect Ram to replace it at no cost when this was performed in the past.
I'd be very surprised if they ever started replacing the entire draglink with a newer version when there really isn't anything wrong with the original, as long as it wasn't driven with the jam nuts loose.

If there isn't anything wrong with the original tell me again why they weld all of them?

 

[SeppW]

If there isn't anything wrong with the original tell me again why they weld all of them?

Because that is what the recall service procedure prescribes. IF the truck's VIN falls into lot that has the problem link, then the recall will remain open on that vehicle until the service procedure is performed and I assume the NHTSA has approved the procedure.

 

[18CrewDually]

If there isn't anything wrong with the original tell me again why they weld all of them?

The only thing "wrong" is "if" the jam nut was loose and the vehicle was operated long enough to damage the threads enough that a jam nut will not tighten to the proper torque. And if it doesn't hold the torque or threads are damaged, they replace it.
The weld ensures it doesn't come loose and it cannot be tampered with after the recall checking procedure.

 

[Gr8bawana]

I'm wondering how long if ever there will be a time when all the recall draglinks will be replaced by the dealers with the proper parts and not just a band-aid?
Until then I'll just keep checking under the truck regularly because I've had my 2500 for over a year now and everything is tight and nothing has moved according to the witness marks.

 

[GsRAM]

I'm wondering how long if ever there will be a time when all the recall draglinks will be replaced by the dealers with the proper parts and not just a band-aid?
Until then I'll just keep checking under the truck regularly because I've had my 2500 for over a year now and everything is tight and nothing has moved according to the witness marks.

That's how mine was until the day it was replaced. I just wanted the peace of mind going forward not having to worry about it one day loosening up on me at the least opportune time.

I personally don't think if you ask for it to be replaced it ever will be. If you allow it to be welded, then that's your fix, case closed. I plan on keeping my truck another 6-10 years or so, so I wanted the revised link installed to put this behind me.

All is well with the new link after several weeks now

 

[mtnrider]

I'm wondering how long if ever there will be a time when all the recall draglinks will be replaced by the dealers with the proper parts and not just a band-aid?
Until then I'll just keep checking under the truck regularly because I've had my 2500 for over a year now and everything is tight and nothing has moved according to the witness marks.

I honestly don't think they are going to do a mass replacement on them. If it was welded that's it unless it becomes a problem for that particular truck.

With that said they are willing to replace them at this point if you are not happy so reach out to @RamCares and have them open a case on it. Mine was replaced last month(never welded). It was a little bit of a struggle to make it happen but it eventually did. Hopefully they have streamlined the process and it goes a little smoother now so it may be worth a shot?


.

 

[GsRAM]

I honestly don't think they are going to do a mass replacement on them. If it was welded that's it unless it becomes a problem for that particular truck.

With that said they are willing to replace them at this point if you are not happy so reach out to @RamCares and have them open a case on it. Mine was replaced last month(never welded). It was a little bit of a struggle to make it happen but it eventually did. Hopefully they have streamlined the process and it goes a little smoother now so it may be worth a shot?


.

Correct. Kaitlin @RamCares was the only one who really stepped up to make it happen for me. She was great. Thanks Katilin!

 

[Rick Ram-jet]

I messaged Ram cares only to find out they don't return messages and obviously they don't care. They show up on here and make it look good but at the end of the day they do nothing to help us owners or remedy any problems. TOTAL FAILURE "RAM CARSE"!

How long did you dive them to reply?
It took them awhile but they did reply to my inquiry, try messaging Katilin, she seems the most responsive!

 

[Fitz-0518]

The only way FCA will ever "replace" the defective drag links on "all" trucks that they were installed on voluntarily, is to increase the number of complaints to NHTSA.com (simple on line form) and make our our local news channels aware of the potential safety issue that FCA corrected by just welding the jam nut so that you can't align. But being fair to FCA, they have reimbursed or authorized replacement for a number of owners who are articulate and persistent.

 

[426power]

How long did you dive them to reply?
It took them awhile but they did reply to my inquiry, try messaging Katilin, she seems the most responsive!

This is the second time I have reached out to them with no response. The last one was 8 days ago.

 

[BLUEDERANGO]

Ok and I finally have my situation resolved, But not thru RAM CARES. Let me explain. 6 or so months ago after jumping thru all the hoops at RAM CARES I was "declined" a reimbursement after purchasing and installing the upgraded part from a FCA dealer.. And yes all the BS phone calls to Ram Cares went absolutely no where.
So I read here on the forum last week of some people now were getting reimbursed, so rather than call RAM Doesn't I called FCA customer relations and explained to the nice lady my situation.. Very quickly she she asked me to send HER my documentation and she would get it handled. BAM, sent her the docs and within an hour I received a e-mail from the reimbursement specialist stating I would receive my check within 30 days..
Don't give up and persistence pays, you just have to find the right person at FCA.

 

[GsRAM]

Ok and I finally have my situation resolved, But not thru RAM DOESN'T CARE. Let me explain. 6 or so months ago after jumping thru all the hoops at RAM CARES I was "declined" a reimbursement after purchasing and installing the upgraded part from a FCA dealer.. And yes all the BS phone calls to Ram Cares went absolutely no where.
So I read here on the forum last week of some people now were getting reimbursed, so rather than call RAM Doesn't I called FCA customer relations and explained to the nice lady my situation.. Very quickly she she asked me to send HER my documentation and she would get it handled. BAM, sent her the docs and within an hour I received a e-mail from the reimbursement specialist stating I would receive my check within 30 days..
Don't give up and persistence pays, you just have to find the right person at FCA.

This. Call ram customer service direct and be polite but clear on how you would like the situation resolved.

You get more bees with honey than you do with vinegar.

 

[Octane]

FCA will cheat customers on recalls and repair parts. We may like their products to some extent but never forget that they are a sheity company