NHTSA Complaint #10586670 — 2010 RAM 1500

ON MARCH 22, 2014 MY WIFE STEPPED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NERF BAR TO ENTER THE TRUCK. BEFORE SHE COULD ENTER THE NERF BAR PULLED COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE AND FELL TO THE GROUND. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE TRUCK TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE REPAIR. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FACTORY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR UNLESS THERE WAS RUST OR CORROSION ON THE BODY. I CALLED CHRYSLER AND THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THE SAME THING. I TRIED TO FILE WITH MY INSURANCE, BUT THEY REFUSED COVERAGE BECAUSE IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. I WAS ABLE TO FIND A SHOP TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THEY HAD TO SPECIAL ORDER SIX REINFORCED PLATES WITH RIVNUTS TO REPAIR BOTH SIDES BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE METAL AS WELL. THE TOTAL COST CAME TO $519.83. THE SHOP SAID THIS WAS A DODGE RAM SPECIFIC PROBLEM THAT THEY HAD SEEN BEFORE. *TR