NHTSA Complaint #11605130 — 2015 RAM 1500

The contact owns a 2015 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the rear axle suddenly fractured causing the rear passenger’s side wheel to separate from the vehicle. During the failure, the rear end of the vehicle began to fishtail, and the vehicle almost crashed into an oncoming semi-truck. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who replaced the rear axle. After retrieving the vehicle, the engine failed causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was towed back to the local service center which diagnosed that the engine crank sensor had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact also indicated that while operating the vehicle, the DEF system malfunctioned causing the vehicle to drive at a top speed of 37 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who reset the DEF system and the vehicle was repaired but later reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V661000 (Power Train) and 20V475000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 140,000.