NHTSA Complaint #10140094 — 2001 DODGE RAM 1500

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB. UPON DECELERATION THE CONSUMER HEARD A ROARING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE ACCELERATED THE ROARING SOUND WENT AWAY. WHEN THE CONSUMER LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR THE SECOND TIME HE HEARD AN EXPLOSION SOUND, AND THE REAR END LOCKED. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE NUT ON THE PINION GEAR HAD COME ALOOSE AND CAUSED THE REAR END TO COME APART. THE DRIVE SHAFT PUNCTURED THE QUAD CAB'S INTERIOR FLOORBOARD. THE SERVICE DEALER REFERRED HIM TO THE MANUFACTURER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THIS WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE AND NOT A DEFECT WITHIN THE VEHICLE. *AK (11/22/05) COMPONENTS AFFECTED ARE: REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY, TRANSMISSION, TRANSFER CASE AND DRIVESHAFT. *SC