NHTSA Complaint #10185459 — 2004 DODGE RAM 1500

ON 2-23-07, I HAD OCCASION TO DRIVE MY 2004 DODGE, RAM PU, 1500 4X4 APPROXIMATELY 400 MILES FROM WHERE I LIVE IN WESTERN NY. DRUING THE TRIP WE HEAR A SLIGHT HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. DUE TO HEAVY SNOW DURING THE TRIP WE THOUGHT IT WAS SNOW BUILD UP UNDER NEAT. HOWEVER APPROX. 50 FROM RETURNING HOME AND UPON ENTERING A SERVICE AREA OFF THE NYS THRUWAY, A DEFINITE GRINDING / CRRUNCHING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM SOMEWHERES UNDER THE FRONT END. WE CONTINUED TO OUR DESTINATION IN THE BUFFALO, NY AREA. AT THIS TIME BESIDES THE NOISES THE STEERING WHEEL WAS JERKING WHEN TRAVELING AT A SLOW RATE. SUBSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT A WEST HERR DODGE, ORCHARD PARK, NY WHERE IT HAD BEEN PURCHASED. THE DEALER SHIP WAS CLOSED WHEN LEFT AND CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THEM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR THEM TO CHECK IT AND MAKE REPAIRS. ON MONDAY, 2-26-07 WE WERE CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED AND THE THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING WHICH THEY REPLACE. UPON PICKING THE TRUCK UP I WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY PREVIOUS PROBLEMS AS SUCH WITH THESE TRUCKS. ABOUT 5 DAYS LATER I HAPPENED TO HEAR ON OUR LOCAL TV THAT THE 2006 MODEL DODGE RAM PICK UP'S HAD BEEN RECALLED DUE TO FAULTY FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WHCIH WAS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT QUANITITY OF GREASE. I AM WORRIED THAT MY TRUCKS BEARINGS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2006 AND THAT THE OTHER SIDE WHEEL BEARING MIGHT GO AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.