NHTSA Complaint #10679740 — 2005 DODGE RAM 1500

I HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE, KIND OF A RATTLE AND VIBRATING SOUND. IT CONTINUED TO GET LOUDER FOR ABOUT AN 8TH OF A MILE. I BEGAN TO MOVE TOWARD THE RIGHT LANE OF TRAFFIC TO EXIT THE MAIN ROAD. THE NOISE BECAME EXTREMELY LOUD AND THERE WAS A GRINDING SOUND. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THERE WAS A LOUD CRASHING THUD OCCURRED AND THE TRUCK JARRED TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP. AFTER LOOKING UNDERNEATH I SAW THAT THE WHOLE DRIVE SHAFT WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE REAR AND FLUID WAS SPILLING ON THE GROUND. THE TOW DRIVER SAID HE'D NOT SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN. OUR MECHANIC CAME BY OUR PLACE TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND TOLD US ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE REAR OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THE PINION NUT FELL OFF OR VIBRATED LOOSE. WE COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE HAPPENED, THEN IT ALL MADE SENSE WHEN WE FOUND THE RECALL AND INVESTIGATION INFORMATION. *TR