Ram pickups that can shift out of park prompts recall by Fiat Chrysler

Photo: Stratos L

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling 1.8 million Ram pickups because the gear shifters can accidentally switch out of park.

In certain "high-temperature conditions" the truck's shifter may be moved out of park when the driver isn't stepping on the brake, as would normally be required. This can occur without a key in the ignition, FCA said.

Seven people have had minor injuries and a small number of crashes have occurred that might be linked to the problem, the company said.

The recall includes only vehicles equipped with shifters mounted on the steering columns. Those with rotary-dial shifters or floor-mounted shifters aren’t being recalled, FCA said.

Affected vehicles include some versions of the 2010 to 2017 Ram 2500 and 3500; 2011 to 2017 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 chassis cabs; 2016 to 2017 Ram 3500 chassis cabs with a gross vehicle weight rating of fewer than 10,000 pounds; and some 2009 to 2017 Ram 1500 pickups.

Excluded are all model-year 2017 trucks built after Dec. 3, the company said.

In addition to the 1.5 million Ram trucks in the United States, about 250,000 trucks in Canada, 43,000 trucks in Mexico, and 15,000 elsewhere in the world are included in the recall.

For more information, consumers can call FCA at 866-220-6747.