NHTSA Complaint #10746063 — 2003 DODGE RAM 2500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO GUARD RAILS. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END, PASSENGER, AND REAR END DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE GEAR INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. AN ALARM SYSTEM WAS APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE TO ALERT THE DRIVER OF INDEPENDENT GEAR CHANGES, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20.