NHTSA Complaint #10607118 — 2005 DODGE RAM 1500

LAST SATURDAY ON JUNE 28 2014 I WAS LEAVING MY RESIDENCE WHEN I OBSERVED A SMALL LEAK DRIPPING OUT OF MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHERE THE PINION GEAR GOES INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL. I ORDERED A PINION SEAL AT MY LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE. ON MY WAY TO THE PARTS STORE I NOTICED A VERY FAINT WHINE COMING FROM THE REAR END. ABOUT 1 TO 2 MILES AFTER THE WHINE WAS FIRST NOTICED IT QUICKLY BECAME A ROAR FOR NO MORE THAN 20 SECONDS AND THEN THE PINION GEAR SNAPPED AT THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCKING BOTH MY REAR TIRES UP SENDING MY TRUCK SIDEWAYS. WITH MY SON IN THE BACK SEAT IT WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE FOR A 2 YEAR OLD. I COULDN'T MOVE THE TRUCK OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET SO I SAT HELPLESSLY AND WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE NEXT DAY I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK AND REALIZED THAT ALONG WITH MY REAR END BEING TOASTED SO WAS MY DRIVE SHAFT WHICH HAD DAMAGE FROM SPINNING FREELY. THEN I OBSERVED MY GAS TANK WITH A DENT SO BIG I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PURCHASE A NEW TANK. SO FAR I HAVE BEEN QUOTED FOR A USED REAR DIFFERENTIAL AT SEVERAL SALVAGE YARDS FROM 800-1400. IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES WITH DODGE TRUCKS AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE LOOSING THERE LIFE BECAUSE NEGLIGENCE FROM DODGE TO GET THESE PROBLEMS FIXED AND HOLD DODGE ACCOUNTABLE!!!! *TR