I have contacted Dodge regarding this failure, are tech or safety bulletins being generated, are others reporting the failure? Ram diesel model failure mode allows starter to remain engaged and engine running with vehicle key in the off position. After diagnosing and failure analysis it is apparent that this failure mode is not only common (input from various websites) but also extremely dangerous in my opinion. While the root cause (starter failure) is acceptable and understandable with age of the vehicle, the symptom and effect is not. Internal shorting of the starter causes 12vdc feedback through the control circuit and allows the starter to remain engaged and vehicle to remain running wit the key on!. if lucky enough to react to the failure in time prior to components and wiring burning up and melting, you must get under the hood to disconnect "2" batteries, or climb under the vehicle to hit the starter to shut down engine and disengage starter, either again while the vehicle is running with the key off and start engaged in flywheel, if the vehicle were to jump in gear (std transmission) bodily injury would certainly take place. After my first failure the dealer replaced the damaged components at a cost of >$700 but failed to identify the root cause. Only after information located in the "turbodiesel website" and repeat failure was I able to identify and correct root cause!

- Shakopee, MN, USA

In July I received Chrysler recall #875 which stated:the ignition switch and/or steering column wiring on your Ram truck may overheat when the blower motor is operated at high speed for an extended period of time. This can cause stalling, loss of blower motor or power window operation, ABS or airbag lamp illumination or a steering column/instrument panel fire.the day I received the notice, the starter died before I could get to the dealer. I tried to call Chrysler to determine the likelihood of a connection between failure and recall. The dealer performed the recall service and replaced the starter and solenoid. By the time I reached Chrysler, the repairs were complete. The mechanic, performing his first 875 recall said nocorrelation. I asked if there were other starter failures that might be related to the recall. The dealer said he would have Chrysler call me to answer the question and provide information. The dealer continues to say that only Chrysler would know, Chrysler says only the dealer can answer.because failure of electric motors and solenoids can often result from low-voltage, over-heating, or over-current or rapidly repeated voltage application and the existence of such conditions seems to be well documented in recall 875, these conditions are reasonable cause of starter failure. Chrysler should pay for the atarter or show there is not a history of similar failures of other trucks recalled on 875.

- Menlo Park, CA, USA