NHTSA Complaint #10896499 — 2004 DODGE RAM 1500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 57 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION AND LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR TIRES SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE SCREECHED TO A STOP. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ONSITE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD SEPARATED FROM THE DRIVESHAFT, AND THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PINION NUT WAS STILL IN PLACE IN THE DRIVESHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 246,000.