NHTSA Complaint #11529694 — 2005 DODGE RAM 1500

Significantly rusted out truck bed framing. I purchased the truck from a private seller a couple of years ago, and the bed had a rubber mat and plastic side panels in the bed. I was unaware of what was underneath at that time. On 06/28/2023, I removed the rubber mat, and side plastic panels to reveal major rusting with the truck bed. The bed is at major risk of separating from the frame. If this issue is not resolved, the truck bed will experience separation from the truck frame; causing the bed to separate at highway speeds, causing property damage, injuries, or even death. Upon searching for a good used bed from salvage yards, none exist that are in good condition in a 500 mile search radius and/or they are $800.00 to multiple thousands in cost to obtain. Multiple beds on the search have major rusting/wasting of the bed frame as well. This should constitute a major safety defect with poor rust proofing.