NHTSA Complaint #11434583 — 2014 RAM 3500

The component that has failed on this particular vehicle is the factory aluminum wheels manufactured by Alcoa for Mopar specifically for this model vehicle. The front wheels are the ones that are defective on this vehicle, structural cracks form on the outer lip of the wheels, and therefore pose a huge threat to the rim failing violently and the tire losing air or being destroyed in the process. This is the second time a wheel has needed to be replaced because of this issue. This defect has been brought to the attention of both dealership and manufacturer, however neither Dealership nor Manufacture wants to accept responsibility and pay to have the wheel repaired or replaced. Our vehicles are used as commercial vehicles, and are usually towing trailers or heavy loads. Having a front wheel failure during such operations, could pose a huge risk not only to the driver, passengers, and vehicle involved, but also to those surrounding motorist that maybe near or passing by the vehicle during the time of a possible wheel failure. Luckily both cracks have been detected during daily inspections, and none of these issues have resulted in a vehicle accident or injury while vehicle has been traveling down the road. No warning signs were present during the time of repair, and given the fact that the cracks can sometimes be hairline cracks and very hard to notice poses an even bigger threat to those who may not check their wheels on a daily basis, and could very easily be overlooked by the average consumer.