Dodge Ram Under Safety Investigation for Rear Diff. Failure
A preliminary defect investigation on 2009-2010 Dodge Ram vehicles has been opened because of reports of the rear differential failing.
12 complaints have been received regarding the differential, claiming that the rear-differential failed, which resulted in rear-wheel lockup. The wheel lockup occurred at varied speeds, with eight of the complaints claiming it happened at over 35 mph. Four of these eight resulted in complete loss of vehicle control, and one resulted in a collision.
One of the probable causes listed by the complaints is the loosening of the rear differential pinion nut, while the main issue mentioned is drive shaft failure. One of the complaints says that the detached drive shaft end punctured the fuel tank.
NHTSA will asses the frequency and scope of these problems and issue a recall if necessary.
Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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I was driving at 65 mile per hr had a car jump over in front of me hit my break so not to hit it with my 02 Ram 1500 go just a bit further and let off my gas to let someone by so I can get over and it seems like I have a foot on the break but I don't get just a bit further and boom the back of my truck jumps sparks flying I get it off the road get towed to the Dodge dealer 5900 bucks the rear end is locked up the housing needs replaced the axles need replacing all the deff. Gears and the drive shaft that twisted in half I won't be buying a Ram for my next truck
I own a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 and had to replace the differential with only 30,000 miles on this truck! Now it has 78,000 miles the differential has the same problem! It costs over $1,000.00 to have this fixed! I own 2 other trucks both Chevys and 2004 Chevy 2500 Silverado with over 100,000 miles with just normal maintance to this truck, will never buy another Dodge!