Over 500,000 Ram trucks are being recalled (again) over what can literally cause the wheels to fall off. It covers a wide range of over 10 years. The recall affects 2012 to current Ram 3500 heavy-duty pickups, and Ram 4500 and 5500 chassis-cab trucks. 

All of the Ram trucks in the recall have dual rear wheels

All of the affected trucks had dual rear wheels more commonly called “duallys.” They also have flanged lug nuts and are predominately in North America. A flanged nut has a flange or ridge that nests into a recess around the lug nut hole of the wheel. 

Ram parent company Stellantis says that the problem is with the torque specifications of the lug nuts. Service and owner’s manuals had incorrect torque specs for the lug nuts holding the wheels to the hubs. Some get over-tightened. This causes damage to the wheel studs and potentially resulting in “wheel separation.” That is more commonly known as the wheels falling off of the hub to you and I. 

“Only trucks subject to wheel-removal as part of a service or upfit procedure” are being recalled

“There is no component defect, and torque applied during vehicle assembly is within specification. So the recall condition may only be present in vehicles that have been subject to wheel-removal as part of a service or upfit procedure,” says the release. “Dealers are currently in possession of correct service instructions. Production vehicles are now being delivered with updated owner’s manuals. The campaign is limited to vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels and flanged lug nuts.”

The good news is that Stellantis says there have been no injuries or accidents to its knowledge. It says that the trucks left the factory with the lug nuts properly tightened. So this only affects those trucks that have received service where the wheels are removed. 

Dealerships will repair damaged wheel studs and provide new owners manuals with the proper specs

We see a lot of duallys with aftermarket wheels. So we can assume that if they use flanged lug nuts they are part of this recall. But if they use mag wheel-type lug nuts then there may not be a problem. In any case, owners will be notified by the end of July. They will be advised to take their trucks to a dealership to correct the owner’s manual and replace any damaged studs. 

If you have questions or concerns you can call 800-853-1403, or you can use the VIN number of your truck to see any recalls affecting it here.

RECALL: Ram Diesel Pickup Recall: Heavy Duty Diesel Owners Urged to Park Outside Due to Dangerous Fire Risk