NHTSA Complaint #11161799 — 2018 RAM 1500

WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE 5 IN WASHINGTON IN CRUISE CONTROL AT 76MPH GOING UP HILL, THE TRUCK MADE A GEAR GRINDING NOISE. I TURN OFF CRUISE AND LET THE TRUCK COAST UPHILL, THE TRUCK WAS MAKING A WHINING UPHILL. I GAVE THE TRUCK SOME GAS TOWARDS THE TOP OF THE AND AT THAT POINT THE TRUCK VIOLENTLY SHOOK, I HEARD A LOUD THUD AND SAW SPARKS FLYING FROM THE REAR END. I WAS GOING DOWN HILL BY THIS POINT. I SAW A LARGE METAL PIECE COME FLYING OFF THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. WHEN I WENT TO PULL OVER, THE TRUCK WAS HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL, THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP THE LAST 8-12 FEET BEFORE STOPPING. UPON GETTING OUT I NOTICED THE DRIVESHAFT DROPPED & HANGING FROM THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO FIND & PICK UP THE LARGE PIECE THAT WENT FLYING OFF. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED 70+ MILES TO MY HOME TOWN TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL 2018 AND THIS HAPPENED MID DECEMBER 2018. THE TRUCK HAD APPROX 29,550 MILES ON IT AT THIS POINT. THE TRUCK WAS BOUGHT IN APRIL 2018 BRAND NEW WITH 18 MILES ON IT. ALL MAINTENACE HAS BEEN FOLLOWED PER RAM'S RECOMMENDATIONS.*DT ?PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).?*JB