NHTSA Complaint #10476517 — 2001 DODGE RAM 1500

THE UNDER THE BED SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY CABLE BROKE AT THE JUNCTION OF WHERE THE CABLE ENDS AND THE HOLDING METAL ASSEMBLY BEGINS. THE SPARE TIRE CAME LOOSE AND HIT THE HIGHWAY BOUNCING OFF OF THE PAVEMENT AND BECOMING AIRBOURNE BEHIND MY TRUCK . AT THAT TIME IT BECAME A HAZARD FOR ANY VEHICLE ESPECIALLY A MOTORCYCLE BEHIND ME. MY SPARE IS A 16 INCH TIRE AND WEIGHS OVER 35 POUNDS. I GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE AT THE NEXT EXIT AND TRIED TO FIND THE TIRE BUT COULD NOT LOCATE IT . I SUSPECT IT WENT OFF THE ROAD AND DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT. NO CARS BEHIND ME STRUCK THE TIRE AND NO WAS HURT. AFTER INSPECTING THE SPARE TIRE CRANK ASSEMBLY I FOUND THE CABLE WAS RUSTED AND SUSPECT THE HOLDING NUT ASSEMBLY WAS TOO. I HAVE NOT USED MY TRUCK FOR OFF ROAD USE ONLY TO TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND TO HAUL MATERIAL WHEN NEEDED. I WENT TO THE LOCAL JUNK YARD AND WAS BOUGHT ANOTHER SPARE TIRE CRANK ASSEMBLY OFF OF A 2000 DODGE RAM 1500 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND FOUND THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY WAS ALSO RUSTED. I SUSPECT THAT IT MAY FAIL IN THE FUTURE JUST LIKE MINE DID. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW FOR ON INSPECTION IT IS EASY TO SEE HOW RUST CAN MAKE THE HOLDING NUT AND WASHER FAIL. I AM AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN OR ALREADY HAS HAPPENED ON DODGE TRUCKS USING THIS TYPE OF SPARE TIRE HOLDER. IF THIS TIRE COMING FREE AND HITTING THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH COULD HAVE CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO ANOTHER VEHICLE OR COULD HAVE LED TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. MY GUESS IS THAT MANY TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED. *TR