2024 Ram 1500 Big Horn/lone Star on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Recall: The Ram 1500's driveshaft could fall off

Ram is recalling 10,160 pickups built for the 2018 and 2019 model years, because the driveshaft may fall off. That would be bad. The recall involves the previous-generation truck. Specifically, some units of the normal 2018 Ram 1500 and some of the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic. In Ram-speak, "Classic" means the previous-generation truck that's sold alongside the all-new version for 2019. The trucks involved were built in a month-long time period in 2018, and Ram has identified the problematic driveshafts by part number. Apparently, the rear driveshaft may "have an incomplete weld fusion between the tube and tube yoke, which may lead to weld cracking or the driveshaft fracturing," according to the recall documents. This could cause the driveshaft to drop off the vehicle, and cause you to lose drive power (among other hazards involved with a driveshaft falling off a truck). At this point, FCA says it's not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the problem. However, it has seen eight occurrences of the driveshafts breaking, prompting this voluntary safety recall. Ram says that an extra noise or vibration could signal that the driveshaft is on the way out. FCA is going to start notifying owners about the recall in mid-June. When you take your truck in, the dealer will replace your driveshaft with one verified to have complete weld fusion. It will, of course, be free of charge to the owners of the affected vehicles.

Ram 1500 to get V6 diesel engine later this year

Happy Valentine's Day, diesel lovers! Chrysler announced today that the Ram 1500 will offer a light-duty diesel engine when it goes into production this fall. Using the same turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 recently introduced in the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Ram 1500 is expected to get even better fuel economy than the current 2013 model's best-in-class 25 miles per gallon on the highway.
Power output has not been released for the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, but in the Grand Cherokee, this engine produces 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, and it will be paired with Chrysler's eight-speed automatic transmission. This has definitely been a busy and exciting year for the Ram division, bringing home major awards such as the 2013 North American Truck of the Year, 2013 Motor Trend Truck of the Year and 2013 Truck of Texas not to mention the recent announcement that the Ram HD models will offer a best-in-class towing capacity of 30,000 pounds - all of which is pointed out in the press release, below.

2013 Ram 1500 earns Truck of Texas honors

Auto writers around the country tend to specialize in different vehicles based on the trends of our respective home markets. The New England Motor Press Association, for example, presents an award every year for the best winter vehicle. With that in mind, it is fitting that the Texas Auto Writers Association doles out an annual truck award. This year, the TAWA "Truck of Texas" is the 2013 Ram 1500.
In a announcement from TAWA, the new Ram took top honors based in no small part on, "a new 3.6-liter V6 that boasts 42 percent more power, improved fuel economy, infotainment upgrades and available eight-speed automatic transmission and air suspension." And according to Ram CEO Fred Diaz, "Automotive reporters have reacted extremely favorably to the new 2013 Ram 1500, and our research tells us that resonates with truck buyers." The Ram 1500 unseated the previous Truck of Texas, the 2012 Ford F-150.
The Texas Auto Writers Association Truck Rodeo was also an occasion for journalists to award an SUV of Texas, and thankfully, the distinction is made between SUV and CUV. The Jeep Grand Cherokee took top honors in the SUV department, with TAWA pointing to models like the off-road-ready Trailhawk and feature-laden Overland Summit. It is the third consecutive year that the Grand Cherokee has achieved this accolade. The award for top crossover went to the 2013 Buick Enclave, which is in its first year of a new design. To read more on the Truck of Texas award and all the finalists, check out the press release below.