NHTSA Complaint #10445417 — 2004 DODGE RAM 1500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THERE WAS CONTAMINATION IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND THE STEERING SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE FLUSHED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION AND THE FUEL PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR AND CAUSED THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE TO BE INVOLVED IN A CRASH DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZING ABNORMALLY. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THREE PASSENGERS SUSTAINED BRUISING AND ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A SHOULDER INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,450.