Recent 1997 RAM 3500 Investigations

• Defect Investigation #DP03006 - SEAT BACK FAILURE

• SEAT BACK FAILURE Defect Investigation for the 1997 RAM 3500

  • NHTSA Investigation #DP03006
  • Investigation Opened September 23 2003.
  • Status Closed

  Vehicle Component: Seats*

  Summary: ODI has identified 30 incidents where it is alleged the seat back collapsed in a rear impact crash. These incidents are alleged to have contributed to 23 injuries and two deaths. The data presented to ODI show that the seat back strength of the front seats comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 207. "seating system."according to daimlerchrylser the front seats were designed to collapse rearward in rear impact crashes as part of the energy absorptioncapabilities of the seating system to reduce the chance of serious injury to the occupant. Rates of occurance were compared to peer vehicles, and it was shown that the performace of the subject vehicle was comparable to those vehicles. In view of the forgoing, it is unlikely that NHTSA would issue an order for the notification remedy of a safety defect in the subject vehicles as defined by the petitioner at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition. Therfore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the Agency's mission, the petition is denied. For further details, refer to ODI's response to the petition published in the federal register vol.69, no. 60 , dated March 29, 2004.

  More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #DP03006 »

  Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on April 08 2004 and no recall was issued.

  * This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.