The U.S National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) started its preliminary investigation on 110,000 older Ram pickup trucks after a death of a child. The focus of the investigation was on the alleged faulty interlock safety switch.
The probe covers 2004 to 2006 Ram pickup models. The government documented three complaints of the engines cranking or starting without the clutch being engaged. It caused the death of a child after being run over by the pickup driven by another child who operated it even if the interlock safety switch was on. In another case, the engine cranked while a man was working under the hood. The truck bumped into the worker but caused no serious harm, USA Today reported.
"The clutch interlock safety switch had not been tampered with and was in its original condition," the truck owner wrote in the fatal accident complaint, quoted by the Associated Press. "The switch has been tested and found to be defective."
The investigators did not reveal the name of the complainants who filed the cases on Feb. 26. The accidents happened August of last year. The probe commenced May 19 which might lead to a recall if proven that the interlock mechanisms of the vehicles were defective.
Chrysler, the Ram pickup truck manufacturer, released a statement expressing its willingness to help with the investigation.
"Chrysler Group vehicles meet or exceed all applicable safety mandates," the company in an e-mailed statement to Bloomberg. "Customers who have concerns about the way their vehicles are currently performing should contact their dealers. As with any vehicle, do not leave it unattended with the key in the ignition and follow correct operating procedures."
Faulty keyed ignition switch had been a subject for recalls for other carmakers and affected 21 million vehicles including more than 8.8 million from Ford, 5.5 million from GM, 3.5 million from Honda, and 1.6 million from Chrysler.
