NHTSA Complaint #11094074 — 2004 DODGE RAM 1500

WHEN I ORDERED MY 2004 DODGE RAM THE SIDE AIRBAGS WERE OPTIONAL AND I ORDERED THEM. SINCE THE AIRBAGS OCCUPIED THE SIDE AREA ABOVE THE DOOR WINDOWS THE "GRAB HANDLES WERE RELOCATED TO THE A-PILLAR FOR THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. YESTERDAY I WENT TO ENTER THE TRUCK, PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, AND GRABBED THE HANDLE IT PULLED OFF THE A-PILLAR. EVERYONE I HAVE TRANSPORTED IN THE TRUCK USES THESE "GRAB HANDLES" TO ENTER AND EXIT. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ITEM. I PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR A FRIEND WHO CAN NO LONGER DRIVE AND HAS HAD HIS LEG AMPUTATED BELOW THE KNEE. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO ENTER THE TRUCK WITHOUT THE USE OF THE GRAB HANDLE. THE 2 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE "GRAB HANDLE" TO THE A-PILLAR DID NOT PULL OUT, THE END OF THE PLASTIC SOCKET THE BOLT MOUNTS IN PULLED FROM AROUND THE BOLT AND FREED THE "GRAB HANDLE" AND ALMOST DUMPED ME ON THE GROUND. SINCE THE A-PILLAR TRIM/GRAB HANDLE IS IDENTIFIED AS A "GRAB HANDLE" IN THE FACTORY SHOP MANUAL I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION AS A SAFETY PROBLEM.