NHTSA Complaint #10447304 — 2004 DODGE RAM 2500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 2500 QUAD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN. THE CONTACT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE STEERING DAMPER DETACHED AND WAS ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE TIE RODS AND STEERING DAMPER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. TWO YEARS AGO, THE TIE RODS AND STEERING DAMPER WERE REPLACED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT AND UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07E009000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE BECAUSE THE RECALL DID NOT PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.