NHTSA Complaint #10715357 — 2006 DODGE RAM 1500

WHILE TRAVELING ON US 290 WEST TOWARD AUSTIN, TX, MY REAR AXLE LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY ISSUE PRIOR TO THE LOCK. NO SOUND OR VIBRATION OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED AND THE DRIVE SHAFT DROPPED. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE TRUCK AND SLIDE ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE ONLY REASON THAT I WAS AT SUCH A LOW SPEED WAS THAT I WAS ABOUT TO PULL OVER. HAD THIS OCCURRED 5 MINUTES PRIOR OR AFTER I RESUMED TRAVEL, I WOULD HAVE BEEN AT 75 MPH AS THAT IS THE SPEED LIMIT ON THAT PARTICULAR STRETCH OF ROADWAY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAD IT HAPPENED IN CITY TRAFFIC OR AT A HIGHER SPEED. THE VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRED. YOUR AGENCY MAY EXAMINE IT TO ASSIST IN YOUR ONGOING INVESTIGATION: PE14019