NHTSA Complaint #768459 — 2000 DODGE RAM 2500

MY 2000 MODEL DODGE 2500 3/4 TON PICKUP LOST IT'S REAR AXEL UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT HAS CAMPER PACKAGE WHICH INCLUDED A SPECIAL HELPER SPRING ON THE REAR SUSPENSION. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE U-BOLTS HOLDING MY REAR END ON HAD BROKE FREE OF THE SPRING ASSEMBLY. CAUSING MY TRUCK TO ROLL SIDE OVER SIDE AND THE COME TO A REST ON IT'S PASSENGER SIDE. THE REAR AXLE WAS FOUND 100 YARDS AWAY FROM THE TRUCK. THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN NOTED ON THE 2001 SERIES TRUCKS OF THE SAME BODY STYLE AND MAKE. I WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY KNOWN AS IL RJ 6 1 MILE NORTH OF I-74. THE TRUCK BEGAN TO GET LOOSE. I NOTICED THE BACK OF MY TRUCK START TO COME AROUND AND THEN WHEN I TRIED TO COUNTER STEER I LOST CONTROL AND ROLL SIDE OVER SIDE ONTO THE MEDIAN. THE REAR AXLE SEEMED AS IF IT HAD SHIFTED BACK ON ONE SIDE CAUSING IT TO SWING THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AROUND. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ALSO NOTED THIS TO BE VERY POSSIBLE DUE TO THE ACCIDENT SCENE. MY INSURANCE COMPNAY NOTED THAT THEY BELIEVE THE U-BOLTS FAILED AND ARE CURRENTLY SENDING THE TRUCK TO CHICAGO, IL FOR AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS STATE FARM INSURANCE. I WAS NOT BADLY INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT, BUT DOCTORS AND POLICE TOLD ME I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE WALKED AWAY. MR