NHTSA Complaint #11706137 — 2014 RAM 1500

The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, his wife heard an abnormal whining sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and discovered fluid leaking from the pinion gasket. Upon discovery of the failure, the contact started driving to an independent mechanic; however, the rear wheels locked up. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic, who discovered that the pinion nut had detached from the vehicle, causing the pinion shaft to drop into the rear differential, which caused the rear wheels to lock up. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure, but the contact had not yet received a response. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.