NHTSA Complaint #10405503 — 2007 DODGE RAM 2500

2007 DODGE RAM PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD END DROPPED OUT WHILE DRIVING APPROX 45 MPH ON BACK ROAD. LOST ALL STEERING FUNCTION, AS LEFT SIDE IS ATTACHED TO RIGHT SIDE. NARROWLY AVOIDED COLLISION WITH SEVERAL TREES AND A SMALL BRIDGE. TRUCK FINALLY STOPPED IN ONCOMING DITCH. TIE RODS HAD BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY APPROX 30K MILES PRIOR. TRUCK DROVE NORMAL UNTIL THIS POINT, BUT TIE RODS HAD STARTED SHOWING WEAR PREVIOUSLY, BUT NOT SERIOUS ENOUGH TO CAUSE ANY ALARM. DEALERSHIP WAS UNWILLING TO REPLACE TIE RODS UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE THIRD TIME, AS IT WAS THE LAST WEEK OF SAID WARRANTY. REPLACED PARTS WITH HEAVY DUTY AFTERMARKET PARTS AT MY OWN EXPENSE. DEALERSHIP HAD INSPECTED TRUCK ON A PREVIOUS TRIP AND SAID TRUCK HAD "UPDATED" STEERING LINKAGES AND COMPONENTS. *TR