NHTSA Complaint #11030088 — 2003 DODGE RAM 1500

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A FLAT, PAVED ROAD A SUDDEN SMALL GRINDING NOISE WAS DETECTED. WITHOUT WARNING, THE REAR AXLE FROZE AND THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. AS THE VEHICLE SLID TO A STOP, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. AFTER THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING A QUICK VISUAL INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD BROKEN OFF AND WAS HANGING DOWN. A LARGE AMOUNT OF VISCOUS FLUID WAS SPILLED ON THE ROAD. THE TRUCK WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD AT THIS POINT DUE TO THE LOCKING OF THE REAR WHEELS AND LACK OF A FUNCTIONING DRIVE SHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A BLIND CURVE ON A WELL TRAVELED ROAD AND THE POLICE WERE CALLED. IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THE OFFICER TO REMAIN AND DIRECT TRAFFIC AROUND THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND A CLAIM (# 32479801) WAS FILED VIA THE DODGE CUSTOMER CARE HOTLINE.