Fiat Chrysler recalls 1.3 million Ram pickups for possibly fatal software problem

Fiat Chrysler is recalling 1.3 million pickup trucks because of a software problem that may be tied to at least one death and two injuries.

The problem could disable side airbags from deploying and seat belts from tightening in a rollover accident.

If there is a significant impact on the truck's underbody, Fiat Chrysler says the truck's safety system could incorrectly conclude that a sensor underneath the truck has failed. If a sensor does fail, the truck's safety system is designed to suppress the airbags from deploying and seat belts from tightening when they are not supposed to.

That's why there is a risk if there is a subsequent rollover.

The good news is the driver should be alerted to this problem by a instrument cluster warning light. If the light comes on, drivers should then turn the truck off, and then turn the key back into the on/run position to verify that the light is no longer on. They should also follow instructions on their recall notice.

The company said it is aware of two accidents in which this problem may have played a role, which resulted in one death and two injuries.

The affected vehicles are the 2013-16 Ram 1500 and 2500 pickups, and 2014-2016 Ram 3500 pickups.

The recall covers about 1 million pickups in the United States and another 270,000 in foreign countries.