The problem
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The welds at the right side lower control arm bracket to axle tube attachment may have inadequate fatigue life due to poor weld quality. This can lead to separation of the control arm bracket from the axle tube.
The risk
If the bracket separates the vehicle could experience reduced directional stability, braking degradation and/or vehicle pull under braking.
The fix
Dealers will replace the front axle with a properly welded front axle.
Contacts
Daimlerchrysler recall no. 861. Owner notification began march 20, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Dodge dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 00V007000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.