NHTSA recall 12E049000 · Equipment
Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
The defect
Gorilla Automotive Products is recalling certain aftermarket lug nuts with part numbers; 66198DR, 66198BDR, 66197DR, and 66197BDR, sold for use as replacement equipment on certain model year 2002-2011 Dodge Ram vehicles. The problem exists only with Ram vehicles equipped with steel spare wheels. The lug nuts, designed for use with aluminum wheels, may not adequately retain a steel spare wheel because they do not fully tighten against the wheel.
The risk
The loose fitting of the lug nuts to the steel wheel may allow the wheel to detach from the vehicle, which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
The remedy
Gorilla will notify owners and distributors and installers will replace the affected lug nuts on vehicles equipped with steel spare wheels free of charge. Until the replacement lug nuts are available (in February 2013), Gorilla will send five lug nuts that will work properly with a spare steel wheel to identified purchasers. Subsequently, when the remedy lug nuts become available, purchasers will be asked to bring their vehicle to the dealer where the recalled lug nuts were purchased to have the dealer install and properly torque 20 new lug nuts. The recall is expected to begin in November 2012. Owners may contact Gorilla Automotive Products at 1-323-585-2852.