Steering Tie Rod Assembly problems of the 1997 Dodge Ram 1500

The contact owns a 1997 Dodge 1500. While the vehicle was being inspected, the contact was advised by the dealer that the front outer tie rod ends were defective. The dealer repaired the vehicle. The contact stated the tie rods that were replaced by the dealer failed. The dealer advised the contact that since there was no warranty and the contact be liable for the repair. The vehicle was repaired and both of the tie rods failed a third time. The contact spoke with the dealer who offered no assistance. The contact stated the parts needed for a third repair were not available because there was a backlog on ordering the part. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 28,900 and the current mileage was not unknown.

I drove 20 miles to pick up my elderly father to take him out to lunch last Friday, the 21st of March, 2008. After we got in my truck, (1997 Dodge ram pu 1500), I put in reverse to back out of the parking lot, I heard a hissing sound and realized the air was coming out of my tire. I got out of the truck, the tire was flat and I noticed the tie rod had broken, and dropped down and put a hole in the rim of my tire. If I had been driving 55mph down the highway, we would have been severely injured or worse yet, killed!! it cost me over $350 and I heard someone else say that someone they knew had the same experience. I did not hear anything before to alert me to the fact that anything was wrong with the tie rod. I feel this is a dangerous defect and Chrysler should look into this situation-especially since I had no warning. I also had to have my truck towed 20 plus miles to repair shop,(and had to pay the tow bill), had to have someone else drive 20 miles to come and get me and I was without use of my truck for transportation for awhile.