NHTSA Complaint #11084426 — 2011 DODGE RAM 1500

THE WELDMENT ON THE FRAME THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP ATTACHES TO FAILED. THE STRAP WAS INTACT. IT DID CONTACT THE DRIVE SHAFT MAKING SPARKS. THE FUEL TANK ALMOST FELL OUT OF THE TRUCK. IF IT HAD BEEN FULL THE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT COULD HAVE PERMITTED IT TO CONTACT THE HIGHWAY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK OUT. WITH THE SPARKS FROM THE STRAP, THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAD A GOOD OUTCOME. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER WITHOUT A RESOLUTION. I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE A NEW WELDMENT. I HAVE THE ABILITY TO REMOVE AND WELD THE NEW ONE ON. THE FUEL TANK IS BEING HELD BY RATCHET STRAPS. I REMEMBER FUEL TANK PROBLEMS WITH PINTO'S AND CHEVY TRUCKS. IN THIS CASE WITHOUT WARNING THE TANK CAN FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND START A FIRE, WITHOUT IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. HOWEVER ONCE THE BRACKET DEGRADES, AN IMPACT WOULD ALSO PRESENT THE SAME RESULTS. I AM NOT LOOKING TO GET BLOWN UP IN THIS VEHICLE WHEN IT IS PREVENTABLE. I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY ANOTHER MOTORIST ALERTED ME TO THE SPARKS. I DO NOT FEEL THE STRAPS ARE A GOOD LONG TERM REPAIR. I HAVE ALSO FOUND OTHER MENTION OF THIS FAILURE ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE HELP!