NHTSA Complaint #10187143 — 2006 DODGE RAM 1500

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE RAM 1500 REGCAB SWB. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON A CLEAR DAY THE CONTACT SMELLED BRAKE FUMES AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT LOOKED THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED LOOSE METAL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE SHIFTER AND THE CLUTCH, BUT NEITHER WORKED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SHUT OFF AND COASTED TO A STRIP MALL. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND ENTERED A BUILDING WHEN A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE HAD IGNITED INTO FLAMES ,CAUSING THE HOOD TO BURST OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO EARNHARTS DODGE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE COMPANY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY, AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD BE ONE TO TWO BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THEY COULD RESPOND. THE WARRANTY COMPANY FAILED TO RESPOND, BUT THE INSURANCE COMPANY ARRIVED AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEIR SALVAGE YARD. A WEEK LATER, AN INVESTIGATOR FROM DODGE STATED THAT THE CONTACT WILL NOT BE GIVEN THE INVESTIGATION REPORT BECAUSE A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR FOR STATE FARM INSURANCE INDICATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE METAL CASE OF THE TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION TO THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS BEING DISTORTED AND BENT. PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONTACT OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,800.*AK