NHTSA Complaint #10401757 — 2006 DODGE RAM 2500

FIRST- IN JUNE 2010, THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD END SHAFT, WHICH GOES INTO THE FEMALE PORTION ON THE WHEEL, SHEARED OFF CATASTROPHICALLY. THIS OCCURRED WHILE BACKING UP AND ALIGNING THE TRUCK TO HOOK UP A UTILITY TRAILER. THE TRUCK HAD APPROXIMATELY 42000 MILES. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENTIRE TIE ROD , INCLUDING ALL TIE ROD ENDS, AND SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE TIE ROD. SECOND- ON MAY 13TH 2011, THE NEW TIE ROD FAILED IN SAME LOCATION, IN NEARLY THE SAME SCENARIO. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, A LOUD SNAP WAS HEARD, FOLLOWED BY THE TIE ROD CONTACTING THE TIRE, CAUSING IT TO BLOW OUT, ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO DROP, INCLUDING TRAPPING THE TIE ROD BENEATH THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. IN BOTH CASES THE MALE OUTER DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD END VERTICAL SHAFT SHEARED OFF FLUSH WITH THE TIE ROD. IN BOTH CASES THE TRUCK WAS NOT CARRYING ANY LOAD. THE TRUCK IS USED TO TOW A 5TH WHEELER SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR (5-6 X). THE 5TH WHEELER IS 10300# UNLOADED AND APPROX 12300# FULLY LOADED. IN NEITHER CASE WAS ANY SYMPTOM NOTED LEADING UP TO THIS EVENT.