NHTSA Complaint #11082404 — 2014 RAM 1500

ON NOVEMBER 24, 2017 THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK USING THE MOUNTED KNOB GEAR SHIFTER. THE DRIVER WAS GOING TO REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE BED OF THE TRUCK INTO A BULK TRASH AREA IN THE DRIVER'S HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. THE BULK TRASH AREA IS A 3-WALL CONCRETE DUMPSTER HIDER, WITH NO DUMPSTER INSIDE (AS SHOWN IN PICTURE). THE PASSENGER EXITED THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE DRIVER EXITING. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE AND WALKING TOWARDS BACK OF THE TRUCK, THE TRUCK BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS, ULTIMATELY HITTING THE CONCRETE BARRIER THAT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. UPON RE-ENTERING THE VEHICLE., THE DRIVER NOTED THAT THE KNOB GEAR SHIFTER WAS IN "REVERSE". THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY CALLED INSURANCE PROVIDER TO FILE CLAIM, AS WELL AS FCA, THE VEHICLE'S MANUFACTURER. FCA SENT AN INVESTIGATOR WHILE THE TRUCK WAS AT THE BODY SHOP TO ASSESS VEHICLE. OWNER ALSO BROUGHT VEHICLE TO RAM DEALERSHIP SUBSEQUENT TO BODY REPAIRS FOR INSPECTION. RAM SAID BECAUSE INCIDENT COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED, ISSUE DID NOT EXIST. OWNER HAS OWNED VEHICLE SINCE NOVEMBER 2014 AND THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. AS SUCH, DUPLICATION IS NOT PREDICTABLE. FCA PLACED BLAME ON PARKING BRAKE NOT BEING UTILIZED.