Air Bag Recall

[DaveHess]

So......... with an almost monthly barrage of FCA postcards and now, they have found my phone number and are calling me (automated caller) to get my Ram in for the air bag recall. I made my appointment for 11/10/17. I made it abundantly clear I did not want anything plugged into my OBD port while the pickup was outside my span of control. Not even their simple code reader. I don't trust my dealership and they are the only show in a 100 mile radius.

Can anyone tell me what all is entailed in the airbag recall?????

 

[Lynx0849]

So......... with an almost monthly barrage of FCA postcards and now, they have found my phone number and are calling me (automated caller) to get my Ram in for the air bag recall. I made my appointment for 11/10/17. I made it abundantly clear I did not want anything plugged into my OBD port while the pickup was outside my span of control. Not even their simple code reader. I don't trust my dealership and they are the only show in a 100 mile radius.

Can anyone tell me what all is entailed in the airbag recall?????

I had mine done last month (finally). Like you, the barrage of reminders worked.

However, you will not get away with restricting their access to the diagnostic port. After all, it is provided for them, not you.

First thing they do, even before logging the mileage on the service form is plug in a little dongle that reads out some info, communicates it to FCA then authorizes the recall repairs.

I would imagine that after the repair, they also have to clear codes.

 

[DaveHess]

True Lynx! It may be provided for them but it is attached to my truck. Not being argumentative but I decide what happens to my Ram. Not FCA.

 

[Bob4x4]

Part of any airbag work is to verify system,through the obd port.If you deny them access they should decline performing the recall.I know I would and of course FCA should be notified why the ro was generated and the recall was not performed.There is a liability issue for FCA once a recall has been issued,the nhsta monitors progress on completed recalls and uncompleted and takes action when the recalls are not getting completed

 

[lpennock]

I just told them not to flash the ECU and had no problems on my 06 5.9 and 08 deleted 6.7.

 

[diesel_driver]

I just had this work done on my 04 last week. My local dealer gave me a list of outstanding recalls, and I told them that I did NOT want the backup alarm installed. They said "no problem, most people have the same response." I picked up my truck about 3 hours after dropping it off, they handed me an invoice listing exactly what work had been done, and they did every recall item except the back-up alarm! I was surprised that they didn't sneak it in, but they did exactly what I instructed them to do. They made a couple of recommendations for service items, but absolutely no pressure to have them do any of it.

I am very happy with my experience.

Right after I purchased my truck (ordered it in August 2003 and picked it up in October) I had the transmission cooler line replaced (recall item), and that was the last and only time my truck has been to a dealer.

 

[Bob4x4]

Nobody wants that damn back up alarm.The techs do not want to do them either.I always told the service advisors to explain what it was/how it worked. If the customer did not want it write that on the ro to protect the dealer and tech from any liability. The auditors will ***** about not doing any outstanding recalls when the vehicles are in the shop

 

[DaveHess]

Bob4x4, thank you for the explanation. As I said before, I do not trust my dealership nor do I think they care one darn bit about me or my pick-up. So, what is the outcome for me personally, other than the fact I am taking a risk with a faulty airbag system, if I continue to ignore this recall? Can I be forced by FCA or a court to comply?

 

[Regcabguy]

Mine was done and the tech removed my EFI pass through OBD II port and accessed the stock port to do the driver's side airbag.
Next time I'll cable tie the EFI portion out of the tech's way.

 

[Jim W]

I too have not done the recall as of yet! My dealer does not like my truck at all; since I have a cover over the OBDII port. I found one on line that covers the port and states not to flash the OBDII Port. The cover is made by DIABLO Sport and the part number is C2000 and sells between $26.00 and $30.00

I guess I will have the recall work done and when the dealer service writer needs to access the OBD Port I will go out with him, removing the cover. I will than placing the cover back on when he is finished.

 

[DaveHess]

I wish I trusted them. Three visits to my dealership in two years (2003 to 2005) left me feeling like these guys have a bad attitude and don't care. My very first visit in 2003 was for my first "free" oil change. I watched the tech through the window. He was apparently having a bad day. That scene was etched in my mind as I watched him throwing things (yes, throwing things) around my truck Then slammed the hood on my new truck and couldn't be bothered to wipe the oil hand prints off the fenders and hood. I pointed this out to the service writer who basically shrugged. Second incident was when the lift pump needed changed out. I go to get in my pickup and it just reeked of diesel smell. I found a soaked rag laying on the carpet in front of the driver's seat. I take the rag back in and again, I get nothing. Not even an apology. They do not care. This pick-up is my pride and joy. Whatever that makes me... I don't know. At the end of the day, I don't trust my dealership.

 

[Tuesdak]

Find another dealer to visit as they are not all that bad. Take pictures of the dash before the work is done as hotter climates dash cracks are possible from this kind of work.

The extreme risk you take of not replacing the Unstable Ammonium Nitrate Shrapnel Bomb is any accident no matter how minor that sets it off can involve dead or mutilated bodies and not just yours. It's a horrible way to go out choking to death on your own blood the way the shrapnel has killed others from the Unstable Ammonium Nitrate the now Bankrupt Takata used. Death is sometimes the easy way out vs. living a pain filled mutilated disabled life.

The liability is expensive to defend if you ever sell this truck without the recall and the lawyers come after the prior owner. Yeah, the backup alarms are a joke of a ineffective fix, but, the airbags are way more serious. The looming question is IF they have to be re-recalled again in the future.

 

[DaveHess]

So, back to my original post: What is involved in this recall? What do they take apart from the dash? What do they actually do?

 

[Bob4x4]

To save some worry I️ always recommend putting the smarty back to stock. With the 6.7 deleted truck it’s not so simple.As far as the recall goes the lower portion of the dash gets removed. It’s not nearly as bad as it looks

 

[DaveHess]

Thank you Bob4x4! I have already decided I was going to do take the Smarty back to stock and stop worrying about it.

 

[garyp285]

Nobody wants that damn back up alarm.The techs do not want to do them either.I always told the service advisors to explain what it was/how it worked. If the customer did not want it write that on the ro to protect the dealer and tech from any liability. The auditors will ***** about not doing any outstanding recalls when the vehicles are in the shop

The back up alarm is a PITA, and how do I get rid of it? I'm not sure if this was on there stock, or they did it when the air bag was done.

 

[Bob4x4]

Unfortunately you can not undo it.Even buying replacement modules.You can learn how to avoid the horn honking-about the best you can do

 

[mwilson]

Unfortunately you can not undo it.Even buying replacement modules.You can learn how to avoid the horn honking-about the best you can do

Took me about one entire summer to re-train myself....just shut the door before popping it into reverse....now it's a habit.

I had my share of 10.00 pm horn blaring in the campground scenarios, every time it was when I jumped in to pop the truck into reverse to take the strain off of the fifth wheel hitch so I could pull the release....then you have a couple seconds of continued horn blowing until your brain realizes what you have done, then another couple seconds to make it stop.....

 

[garyp285]

Thats exactly what happens to me when I back up to remove the wheel chocks on the 5er, and open the door too quick.

 

[DaveHess]

Ok, so last Friday was my appointment. Piece of cake. I was there for an hour and I worried for nothing.