NHTSA Complaint #10467683 — 2010 RAM 1500

I NOTICED THE VEHICLE MAKING A HUMMING/RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END WHEN MOVING 20-35MPH AND COMING TO A STOP. I PARKED THE VEHICLE UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, SO THE TECHNICIAN COULD TEST DRIVE AND LOCATE THE PROBLEM. UPON HIS INITIAL LEAVING HE HEARD NOTHING SO HE PROCEEDED TO PICK UP THE SPEED TO 55MPH TO CHECK FOR VIBRATION IN A NEUTRAL COAST DOWN. UPON REACHING 45MPH THE DRIVE-SHAFT COMPLETELY SNAPPED AND SEPARATED FROM THE REAR END ASSEMBLY, RESULTING IN THE REAR END COMPLETELY LOCKING UP AND SENDING THE TRUCK SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL AND THE DRIVE SHAFT SWINGING VIOLENTLY UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK UNTIL THE TRUCK CAME TO REST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION WHEN THE TRUCK WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY UNTHREADED ITSELF FROM THE DRIVESHAFT RESULTING IN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE REAR END. AS A RESULT IT COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE GEARS AND COMPONENTS WITHIN THE REAR END HOUSING INCLUDING DEEP GASHES INTO THE HOUSING ITSELF RENDERING IT UNSAFE TO RE-BUILD ON. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SINCE ORDERED A WHOLE NEW REAR END ASSEMBLY TO BE PURCHASED AND PLACED ON THE TRUCK AND CURRENTLY WAITING ON PARTS AS I WRITE THIS LETTER. *TR