Recalls anchor Rams to dealership lots
Dealers have to fix air bag and seatbelt problems on 1500s. (Dodge)
As if it weren't hard enough to sell a big 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 in a world where fuel efficiency is suddenly hip, dealers say recalls on some of the trucks mean they can't sell them even when there's a buyer.
The passenger air bags on 144,000 of the pickups could deploy with excessive force when rear-facing child seats are installed in the front passenger seats. And the front passenger seat belts on 159,000 of the trucks might not tighten when used with some car seats.
It's illegal for dealers to sell the affected trucks until they fix the problem, and dealers say they aren't getting the parts.
Chrysler Group spokesman Max Gates said the company would overnight the parts to any dealer that notified the company of a sale or potential sale.
But customer John Celini, 46, of Plymouth said dealers don't seem to know that.
He's been to two dealers in the last week trying to buy or lease a 2006 Ram 1500. He has completed the financing and is ready to go, but he still doesn't have a new truck.
"I was supposed to get this one either Friday or Monday. It was coming from another dealership once they got the parts" for the recall, Celini said. "I called Friday, they were still waiting. I still haven't heard back.
"They're all crying wolf that they can't sell nothing, but I've been trying to buy a truck for more than a week and nobody's calling me back. Now I don't even know if I want it."
Chrysler's Gates couldn't say how many of the recalled trucks have been sold and how many are sitting on dealer lots. The company plans to begin notifying owners of the problems in October, when the necessary parts are on hand for repairs.
No comments:
Post a Comment