Fiat Chrysler Recalls Ram Pickup Trucks for Fire Risk
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has issued a vehicle defect recall for nearly half million Ram pickup and work trucks to fix faulty pumps that could cause overheating and engine fires. According to Marketwatch.com, this marks the second major truck recall this year by the automaker and affects about 494,417 Ram heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The recall also includes certain medium-duty chassis cabs, which are used for commercial vehicles such as dump trucks. The chassis cabs are the 3500, 4500 and 5500 models.
FCA said the defective water pumps in 2013-2017 model years of these vehicles that have 6.7-liter engines, may overheat and could potentially cause and engine fire. So far, there have been no reports of accidents or injuries relating to these vehicle defects, according to FCA. A majority of the vehicles involved in the recall were sold in the United States. This recall follows another one in May that involved 1.2 million Ram pickup trucks to fix a glitch in safety system sensors. FCA said the problem was linked to one death and two injuries.
Vehicle Fire Statistics
According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), there are 17 vehicle fires every hour in the United States. That amounts to more than 150,000 annually, which kill about 209 civilians every year. Equipment failures account for 22 percent of vehicle fires in the United States, NFPA’s statistics show. Cars, trucks and other highway vehicles account for 93 percent of the vehicle fires and 92 percent of the vehicle fire deaths. Mechanical or electrical failures cause about 75 percent of highway vehicle fires and about 11 percent of fire-related deaths involving vehicles.
Auto Product Liability Issues
Vehicle fires can be extremely dangerous and often result in catastrophic burn injuries or even fatalities. Victims of defective autos can seek compensation from the automaker for damages including medical expenses, lost earnings, cost of hospitalization, pain and suffering and emotional distress. In cases where the victims lose their lives, families of loved ones can file a wrongful death claim against the negligent automaker.
In cases where vehicle defects are suspected, it would be a good idea to preserve the vehicle in its current condition, unaltered, so an expert can examine it thoroughly for an evidence of defects or malfunctions. An experienced auto defect lawyer will be able to conduct a thorough and independent investigation and help ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your losses.