NHTSA Complaint #10662872 — 2010 RAM 1500

ON 11-8-14, I TOOK A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK IN FOR ENGINE REPAIRS. THE MECHANIC NOTED BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACED. A SEARCH FOR THE NEEDED PARTS REVEALED NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE FOR AT LEAST 30 TO 60 DAYS. FOUR WEEKS LATER ON 12-5-14, A FLUID LEAK WAS NOTED FROM THE FRONT END. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE SEAL NEEDED REPLACED IMMEDIATELY, DUE TO A HEAVY LEAK.THE NORMAL REPAIR WOULD INVOLVE REPLACING THE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINT TO ENTER THE AXLE TO GET TO THE SEAL. THIS COULD NOT BE DONE SINCE NO LOWER FRONT BALL JOINTS COULD BE FOUND TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THE MECHANIC ACCESSED THE AXLE SEAL BY GOING THRU THE TOP OF THE AXLE. THE SEAL WILL AGAIN HAVE TO BE REPLACED WHEN LOWER BALL JOINTS BECOME AVAILABLE, AT A COST OF AN ADDITIONAL $150. THIS SITUATION PRESENTS A RISK TO THE DRIVER AND MOTORING PUBLIC, SINCE THE NECESSARY PARTS CAN NOT BE SOURCED. IT CREATES A RISK THAT THE LUBRICATING FLUID INSIDE THE AXLE WILL LEAK OUT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE AXLE "TYING UP," CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH. CHRYSLER WILL NOT, OR CAN NOT MAKE THE NECESSARY PARTS AVAILABLE TO ITS DEALERS OR INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. THERE ARE ALSO NO "AFTER-MARKET" PARTS ON THE MARKET THAT COULD BE USED TO SAFELY COMPLETE REPAIRS. *TR