FCA recalls 882K pickups to fix steering, pedal defects

Loss of steering while driving has been blamed for at least one injury and eight accidents.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has launched a recall for 882,000 pickups that suffer from steering and pedal defects.

The total includes around 660,000 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks from the 2013 through 2017 model years. The vehicles are apparently prone to complete loss of steering, consistent with an NHTSA investigation that focused on a problematic link that connects between the front steering knuckle and the pitman arm on the steering box output shaft.

"Once separation occurs, turning the steering wheel has no effect, and there is no way for the driver to control or maintain the direction of the vehicle," the NHTSA wrote in its inquiry notice.

The steering defect has been associated with at least one injury and eight accidents.

The company is also recalling around 222,000 Ram 1500 pickups from the 2019 model year to inspect fasteners on the brake pedals. The pedal can detach if the drivers move the pedals to the end of the adjustment range.