NHTSA Complaint #11011743 — 2017 RAM 1500

TOOK DELIVERY OF NEW 2017 DODGE RAM 1500 AND TWO DAYS LATER TOWED MY BOAT (18') TO LAUNCH TO GO FISHING. STOPPED ON RAMP LEADING TO WATER WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND PUT IN PARK TO UNHOOK BOAT FROM TRAILER. WHEN I LET ME FOOT OFF BRAKE, THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWLY CREEPING BACKWARDS TO THE WATER. I WAS STUNNED AND HIT BRAKE AGAIN AND THEN APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE. I HAVE DONE THIS AT LEAST A HUNDRED TIMES WITH OTHER VEHICLES AND NEVER HAS ONE NOT HELD IN PLACE ON THE RAMP AND I HAVE NEVER USED MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. UPON COMPLETION OF UNHOOKING BOAT, I THEN COULD NOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO RELEASE EMERGENCY BRAKE AS IT IS NOT MARKED WELL. GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND NOTICED A SYMBOL ON THE PLASTIC ABOVE THE FOOT PEDAL. LIFTED UP AND IT RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND AGAIN VEHICLE STARTED BACKING UP INTO THE WATER. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY JUMP IN THE TRUCK AND HIT THE BRAKES JUST IN TIME AS IT HIT THE WATER. I HAVE REVIEWED THIS ISSUE AND IT APPEARS TO BE FOCUSED ON 2013 - 2016 MODEL YEARS. HOWEVER, THIS IS A BRAND NEW 2017. I CAN ATTEST THAT THE KNOB WAS 100% IN THE PARK POSITION WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND MY FATHER AND SON WITNESSED THIS EVENT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TOMORROW AT DEALERSHIP BUT SERVICE MANAGER WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY ISSUES OR POTENTIAL FIX. I AM GUESSING WE COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM ON THE BOAT RAMP IN THE FUTURE. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND I CANNOT HAVE A VEHICLE THAT CANNOT STAY IN PLACE WHILE PARKED!