NHTSA Complaint #10554373 — 2007 DODGE RAM 3500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE RAM 3500. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT HE POWERED DOWN THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED INTO MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE KEY WAS PARTIALLY HANGING FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE ENGINE THEN INDEPENDENTLY RESTARTED AND ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED, CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT RE-ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND REMOVED THE KEY COMPLETELY FROM THE IGNITION HOWEVER, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT THEN DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND THE ENGINE FINALLY POWERED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CENTRAL COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. UPDATED 1/14/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED ONE DAY THE VEHICLE STARTED UP BY ITSELF WHILE IT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE HIT THE CONSUMERS OTHER VEHICLES, AND PUSHED THEM SIDE BY SIDE. THE CONSUMER HEARD THE NOISE AND IMMEDIATELY JUMPED INTO THE TRUCK TO TRY AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION, BUT IT WAS NOT ON. HE PUT THE CLUTCH IN AND TOOK IT OUT OF GEAR, BUT IT JUST REVVED UP MORE. THE HORN WAS BLARING AND SMOKE WAS BOILING OUT. HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, BY OPENING THE HOOD AND DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY. UPDATED 01/16/14