NHTSA Complaint #10706195 — 2004 DODGE RAM 1500

I HAD JUST MERGED ONTO A FREEWAY ON-RAMP WHEN,, W/O WARNING, THE TRUCK SHIMMIED AND SOUNDED A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH SENT IT SPINNING TOWARD THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. I HAD JUST COME OVER THE MOUNTAIN PASSES AND WAS LUCKY TO HAVE NOT HAD IT HAPPEN THERE. UPON GETTING OUT AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE IT WAS OBVIOUS WHAT HAD HAPPENED: THE REAR SECTION OF DRIVE SHAFT WAS LAYING ON THE GROUND AND HAD DISCONNECTED ABRUPTLY FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I'VE HEARD THIS IS FAR FROM THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE14019) AND HENCE FEEL THE NEED TO ADD TO THE CATALOG OF REPORTS. *TR