NHTSA Complaint #713179 — 1997 DODGE RAM

I CONTACTED YOU BY PHONE BUT WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE OPERATOR AND I AM SUBMITTING YOU THIS E-MAIL ONTOP OF THE INFO I GAVE THE OPERATOR. WHILE DRIVING N. BOUND ON I69 MY TRUCK HAD A SHAKE IN THE FRONT END FOR A SPLIT SECOND AND THE RIM AND TIRE FLEW OFF. AFTER GETTING THE TRUCK OFF THE HIGHWAY I OBSERVED THAT ALL THE STUDS THAT HOLD THE RIM ON HAD SNAPPED OFF AT THE BASE OF THE THREADS. THE HOLES IN THE RIM FOR THE LUGS SHOWED NO SIGN OF WEAR THAT WOULD HAVE INDICATED THAT THE LUGNUTS WERE LOOSE. THESE TIRES WERE LAST REMOVED BY DANVILLE DODGE DEALER ON 3/26/99 TO REPLACE THE U-JOINTS THAT WENT BAD ON THE FRONT AXEL. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR INFORMED ME THAT HE HAD PICKED UP SEVERAL DODGE TRUCKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A COUSIN THAT HAD A DODGE ON WHICH ONE RIM HAD ALL THE LUGNUTS BREAK OFF. THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT MIKE ANDERSON DODGE, 3527 S WESTERN AVE., MARION IN, 46953, PHONE# 765-674-3394, MY CONTACT IS ED IN THE SERVICE DEPT. I HAVE CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER CUSTOMER CENTER WHO HAS OPENED A FILE #6331098 AND IS SENDING A INVESTIGATOR TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THANKS RICK