Another day, another recall. This time around, it’s a number of Ram diesel pickups that are being recalled. In fact, according to the NHTSA, nearly 20,000 2021 Ram Heavy Duty diesel pickups are being recalled over a dangerous fire risk. That’s right. Owners have even been encouraged to park their diesel pickups outside until they have been repaired.

Ram Heavy Duty diesel pickups recalled over fire danger

The NHTSA reports that Ram is recalling a total of 19,214 2021 Ram Heavy Duty pickups due to a dangerous fire risk. According to the automaker, all of the affected pickups are equipped with a 6.7-liter turbodiesel inline-six engine. 

In documents posted by the NHTSA, the automaker explains that the fire risk can be traced back to a bad relay found in the pickup’s Solid State Intake Heater Grid. Ram added that such a fire risk could result in an increased risk of “occupant injury and/or injury to persons outside the vehicle, as well as property damage.”

Which Ram Heavy Duty diesel pickups are included in the recall?

Now, 19,214 is not a small number of pickups by any means. You may be asking yourself then, which Ram Heavy Duty diesel pickups are actually included in the recall? Well, according to the automaker, the affected diesel pickups include the 2021 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and the 2021 Ram 5500. 

After detecting a trend in engine compartment fires, analyzing fire patterns, and taking witness statements, Ram determined that all of the affected pickups were equipped with the Solid State Intake Heater Grid Relay. Ultimately, Ram determined that this relay was the cause of the engine compartment fires. 

Fortunately, Ram is not aware of any injuries or fatalities related to the current recall. Regardless, the automaker has decided that it would be best to conduct a voluntary safety recall of the affected diesel pickups. We can’t say that we blame them.

Here’s what the next steps for owners will look like

While Ram voluntarily recalling these pickups is a good thing, the bad news is that there isn’t currently a fix in place. At least not yet. The recall will begin on April 30, 2021, however. Meaning, that a fix is in the works. Until then, owners of the affected diesel pickups may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. According to NHTSA documents, the number for this specific recall is Y08. 

The good news is that once a fix is in place, owners won’t have to worry about paying for any recall-related repairs. Instead, once a remedy is identified, diesel pickup owners will be able to have their pickup fixed free of charge.

Until then? The automaker is encouraging diesel pickup owners to park their trucks outside. “Despite the minimal risk, the company advises customers whose vehicles were produced during a five-month period spanning August of last year and January of 2021, not to park their vehicles indoors,” Stellantis explained in a statement to Automotive News.