NHTSA Complaint #10248726 — 2004 DODGE RAM 1500

TODAY 11/13/08 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HIS 2004 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB, PURCHASED NEW. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING COMPLETELY GAVE OUT ALMOST CAUSING A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IT TOOK ALL HIS STRENGTH TO GET THE STEERING TO TURN ENOUGH TO AVOID CRASHING. UPON TAKING IT TO A DEALER HE WAS TOLD THE MANIFOLD SHIELD WAS RUSTED AND FELL INTO THE LINKAGE. ALTHOUGH THIS IS BEING REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BY THE DEALER I AM NOT READY TO LEAVE IT AT THAT, I EXPECT SOME KIND OF EXPLANATION FROM DODGE WHY SOMETHING THIS DRAMATIC WOULD HAPPEN TO A VERY HIGH END VEHICLE ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. THE THOUGHT OF WHAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THIS NEGLECT ON DODGES PART IS UNTHINKABLE. I EXPECT THIS INCIDENT TO BE FULLY EXAMINED AND WILL ALSO BE CONTACTING DODGE REGARDING THIS UNACCEPTABLE FAULT IN THEIR VEHICLE. NO WARRANTY CAN COVER DAMAGED LIVES AND POSSIBLE DEATH THAT IS FAILURE ALMOST CAUSED. I AM NOW AND IN THE FUTURE VERY ENTRUSTING OF DODGE PRODUCTS AND CAN ONLY HOPE THAT MY REPORTING THIS MAY HELP AVOID INJURY TO ANOTHER DODGE OWNER. *TR