NHTSA Complaint #11362964 — 2006 DODGE RAM 2500

WHILE DRIVING ON NORMAL PAVED ROAD, NO EXCESSIVE BUMPS) AT AROUND 40 MPH, THE FUEL TANK BRACKETS (STRAPS) BROKE AND THE FUEL TANK FELL TO THE GROUND. I HEARD IT RIGHT AWAY AND ONLY DROVE AN ADDITIONAL FEW SECONDS TO A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD (NOT KNOW WHAT INITIAL HAPPENED - THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS CAUGHT IN THE WHEEL WELL). WHEN I NOTICED THE PROBLEM, I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. WHILE WAITING, I CLEARLY NOTICED THE TANK STRAPS WERE RUSTED AND FAILED. ALSO WHILE WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK, I SEARCHED TO SEE IF OTHERS HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE. I FOUND THAT RAM DOES HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE, BUT IT DOESN'T COVER THE YEAR OF MY TRUCK. CLEARLY THE YEARS AFFECTED NEED TO BE EXPANDED AS MY VEHICLE HAD THE EXACT FAILURE THAT THE RECALL ADDRESSED. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 4, 2020 AT APPROXIMATELY 12:15 IN THE AFTERNOON ON RTE 122 IN BLACKSTONE MA JUST SOUTH OF THE MILLVILLE BORDER. NO POLICE EVER PASSED OR STOPPED BY. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED.