NHTSA Complaint #11403420 — 2009 DODGE RAM 1500

IN 2020 MY 2009 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4 BEGAN CHUCKING AND LURCHING WHEN CORNERING. I PARKED THE TRUCK AT HOME AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHOP. THE MECHANICS PULLED THE REAR AXLE APART AND FOUND SHAVINGS AND LARGE CHUNKS OUT OF THE PINION GEAR AND SUBSEQUENTLY MANY OF THE OTHER GEARS AND COMPONENTS IN THE REAR AXLE. THE MECHANIC SAID I WAS LUCKY IT DID NOT LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. BEING THAT I PURCHASED IT USED DODGE DID NOTHING TO HELP ME. MY AFTER MARKET WARRANTY WAS OUT, SO I HAD TO PAY OVER $2,200 OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE IT REBUILT BECAUSE DODGE STOPPED MANUFACTURING THE AXLE ASSEMBLY OF THE 3.92 GEAR RATIO. I GOT IT BACK AND DROVE IT MINIMALLY FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS. TODAY 3/16/2021 I DECIDED TO DRAIN AND REFILL THE REAR AXLE WITH THE SPECIFIED DODGE LUBRICANTS. WHILE DRAINING THE AXLE FLUID I FOUND A SHARD OF METAL APPROXIMATELY 1" X 1/8" X 1/16". VERY DISAPPOINTED. NOW I AM LOOKING AT ANOTHER $2,200 REBUILD AND THE LOSS IF MY VEHICLE AGAIN FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND DODGE NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL TO ALL DODGE OWNERS WHOM THIS AFFECTS, NOT JUST ORIGINAL OWNERS. I HAVE REPAIR RECIEPT DUCUMENTATION IF NEEDED.