NHTSA Complaint #11545565 — 2017 RAM 1500

SUSPENSION issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number 11545565
Vehicle 2017 RAM 1500
Component SUSPENSION
Date of Incident
Date Filed
Mileage N/A miles
Crash No
Fire No
Injuries 0
Deaths 0
Vehicle Towed No
State MI

Consumer Description

While hard accelerating from a stop light and towing a moderately loaded trailer (~ 3,000 lbs), I felt the turbo engage and heard a loud bang and felt the rear end get wobbly. The truck pulled violently to the right and I instantly lost accelaration and heard something dragging on the concrete, I coasted into the left turn lane and got out to find my driveshaft had broke at the rear differential yoke and was resting on the ground, still attached to the transfer case. I hopped back in and put it in 4wd to power the front tires to limp to a safe location about 100 yards down the road. Upon closer inspection both upper control arm ends that attached to a frame via a bushing broke causing the differential to rotate to the point the rear u-joint yoke broke off the drive shaft. I called a dealer but the repair time was > 1month so I repaired it myself by replacing both control arms (with Moog aftermarket arms) and a new Mopar drive shaft. Upon closer inspection both control arm ends had poor weld quality (poor weld fusion) where the bushing loop attaches to the control arm shaft. They should not have failed given the normal driving and the low miles on the vehicle. This is definitely a manufacturers defect that could have caused a serious accident had the loss of control caused the vehicle to swerved into oncoming traffic. I still have the defective part if needed for closer inspection/testing. This incident was shared with FCA recalls but was not covered nor were they interested in the issue. I also have pictures on my phone that would upload properly but i could send in an email...

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