Monday, April 13, 2015

Axle of Error: Fiat-Chrysler Sued Over Incorrect Axle Ratio in Ram 1500

2013-ram-1500-slt-crew-cab-4x4-photo-517821-s-986x603It appears Ram Trucks may have delivered a few bum steers. According to report in Automotive News, South Carolina resident and 2014 Ram 1500 Big Horn owner Robert Beasley has filed a lawsuit against the maker for delivering his vehicle without the optional 3.55:1 rear axle he paid for.

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After owning the pickup for nine months, Beasley was informed by Ram that the Monroney  was inaccurate, and his truck was not equipped 3.55:1 ratio axle, but instead with the standard 3.21:1 rear axle. A simple $50.00 dollar option, the 3.55:1 "heavy duty" rear axle is intended to provide for better low-speed grunt and towing, the ostensible downside being a slight reduction in fuel economy in comparison to vehicles equipped with the 3.21:1 ratio axle.

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According to the lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court in South Carolina and seeks class action status, Ram offered Beasley $750 "Mopar dollars" that could be used toward service or accessories, and at no time, "offered a complimentary replacement of his rear axle." Besley purchased his truck from Triangle Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram in Graniteville, S.C., in January 2014, and is seeking "unspecified damages" in the suit.

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Interestingly, Beasley's case is not an isolated incident. The AN report indicates that additional Ram owners in Colorado, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington have reported in internet forums that their Ram 1500's were also delivered with a 3.21:1 axle instead of the desired 3.55:1 unit. In the same forums, owners claimed to have received restitution from Ram or their dealer in the form of free extended service contracts or the option of trading their truck for one properly equipped. When reached for comment, Fiat-Chrysler told C/D, "only a limited number of consumers were affected, and Chrysler identified and reached an amicable restitution with those buyers shortly after the discrepancy was discovered."

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from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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