Because they don’t want you possibly smashing up your truck — or anyone else’s vehicle — the folks at Dodge have issued a recall on more than 240,000 Ram pickup trucks over concerns about the tie rod assembly in the front steering system.

According to NHTSA, the left tie rod ball stud may fracture — typically during a “low-speed parking lot type maneuver when the customer is making a tight turn — which could result in the loss of directional stability in the left front wheel. All of which could lead to your truck going crash boom bang.

The specific models being recalled are:
*2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4×4 built between Feb. 14, 2008, through Aug. 15, 2008
*2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 4×4 built between Feb. 14, 2008, through Aug. 15, 2008
*2008-2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Cab Chassis 4×2 built between Feb. 14, 2008, through Aug. 15, 2008
*2003-2008 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 may have received part during routine service

If your Ram is on this list, you can take it to a Dodge dealer for a free inspection and, if needed, replacement of the tie rod and front end re-alignment.

If you have questions, you can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 800-327-4236.

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