Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
TDRComm
Staff Member
Yesterday, the folks at Consumer Reports published an article “Ram Recalls Heavy-Duty Pickup Trucks for a Fire Risk.”
My response, “That’s what the media does, publish the sensational.” Let’s look at the article and then give some further thought to the situation.
CLICK FOR LINK: https://www.consumerreports.org/car...duty-pickup-trucks-for-fire-risk-a1154113022/
Got it.
The facts: The recall will apply to the 2020-2022 trucks (population 248,000) with the 68RFE transmission. The recall affects the Cummins audience, and it starts with vehicles manufactured from 9/4/19 (2500 trucks) and 9/18/19 (3500 trucks) until 11/4/22. The recall is number ZA3.
Upon Further Review
Upon further review, the recall directly affects me with my 2020 Turbo Diesel that was assembled in December of 2019. Am I concerned?
Nope.
It’s just another media outlet making sensational headlines.
Perhaps I would have a concern if the 68RFE was new on the market. Ram has been using this transmission since 2007.5. However, the thought does come to my mind, “What changed on the transmission that has created this latest headline and concern?” At this time, I do not have an answer for you.
As I looked for further details at the CR report, I noted “one minor injury and 48 reports related to the recall.” I thought about the problem CR noted, “A pressure buildup inside the transmission can cause transmission fluid to leak from the dipstick tube. If the fluid contacts an ignition source, the vehicle could catch fire.”
I’m not thinking my 68RFE will EVER run so hot that it builds pressure and pukes fluid back out of the dipstick. And, the previous 12.5 years of 68RFE production and use in the market, again, what has changed?
Perhaps what changed was that the NHTSA guy learned of a fire, the folks at Chrysler were notified, the news media published a report of the fire and now its time for me to go the crowded movie theater and yell “FIRE” just to see what happens.
As I have further information, I’ll share it with you. For now, go drive your 2020-2023 truck with confidence, and don’t let the transmission get to a “melt down” temperature.
And don’t go to the local movie theater and yell “FIRE.”
For further data on the combustibility of automatic transmission fluid, here is a link.
CLICK FOR LINK: https://firefighterinsider.com/transmission-fluid-flammable-flashpoint/
RP
My response, “That’s what the media does, publish the sensational.” Let’s look at the article and then give some further thought to the situation.
CLICK FOR LINK: https://www.consumerreports.org/car...duty-pickup-trucks-for-fire-risk-a1154113022/
Got it.
The facts: The recall will apply to the 2020-2022 trucks (population 248,000) with the 68RFE transmission. The recall affects the Cummins audience, and it starts with vehicles manufactured from 9/4/19 (2500 trucks) and 9/18/19 (3500 trucks) until 11/4/22. The recall is number ZA3.
Upon Further Review
Upon further review, the recall directly affects me with my 2020 Turbo Diesel that was assembled in December of 2019. Am I concerned?
Nope.
It’s just another media outlet making sensational headlines.
Perhaps I would have a concern if the 68RFE was new on the market. Ram has been using this transmission since 2007.5. However, the thought does come to my mind, “What changed on the transmission that has created this latest headline and concern?” At this time, I do not have an answer for you.
As I looked for further details at the CR report, I noted “one minor injury and 48 reports related to the recall.” I thought about the problem CR noted, “A pressure buildup inside the transmission can cause transmission fluid to leak from the dipstick tube. If the fluid contacts an ignition source, the vehicle could catch fire.”
I’m not thinking my 68RFE will EVER run so hot that it builds pressure and pukes fluid back out of the dipstick. And, the previous 12.5 years of 68RFE production and use in the market, again, what has changed?
Perhaps what changed was that the NHTSA guy learned of a fire, the folks at Chrysler were notified, the news media published a report of the fire and now its time for me to go the crowded movie theater and yell “FIRE” just to see what happens.
As I have further information, I’ll share it with you. For now, go drive your 2020-2023 truck with confidence, and don’t let the transmission get to a “melt down” temperature.
And don’t go to the local movie theater and yell “FIRE.”
For further data on the combustibility of automatic transmission fluid, here is a link.
CLICK FOR LINK: https://firefighterinsider.com/transmission-fluid-flammable-flashpoint/
RP
