Driveshaft problems of the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 - part 2

Pinion nut loosened and the drive shaft separated from the rear axle. The pinion gear fell into the differential resulting in the axle to lock up and crack the housing.

Drive shaft fell out and rear end locked. . . Skidded to a halt. 2004 model built between Jan 28 and Aug 3.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 25 mph, the driveshaft dropped due to a loose pinion nut and the steering seized without warning. The vehicle had to be towed to an independent mechanic, where it was confirmed that the pinion nut was defective. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle exhibited the symptoms stated in NHTSA campaign number: 14v796000 (power train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 50 mph, an abnormal noise emitted from the rear of the vehicle without warning and the rear of the vehicle seized. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the driveshaft detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 15 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle shook and the wheels seized without warning. The contact pulled over and discovered that the rear driveshaft became detached from the vehicle and was on the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the rear axle failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v796000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 151,000.

Was driving at about 25 mph had just made a left turn, and out of no where my truck went side ways heard a screeching tire sound then a bang, then the whole truck started to shake very violently. I braked immediately and the banging continued, I was in the middle of the roadway and tried to give it gas to get to the edge of the street but the banging go worst, turn off and exited the truck, noticed a big piece of metal in the middle of the road along with a lot of oil , ran up to it to only notice it was half of my drive shaft, it had snapped in two still attached to a piece of the rear end, along with fragment pieces all over the floor of the differential housing, seemed like something blew up in the differential. I looked under the truck and noticed the banging noise and violent movement was coming from the other half of the drive shaft that was still attacked to the transmission that was still spinning when I had it in gear. The car behind me had to avoid the drive shaft that snapped off since he said it flew out the rear of my truck as I was driving. Had to get towed home and have the differential oil cleaned of the road way. I went home and notice there was a recall for this very same thing at it covered trucks manufactured January 28 of 2004 through August 3, 2005, my truck was manufactured April 2004 so it should be covered but the dealer and manufacture are giving the run around. Please help.

Rear end froze, locked up, and drive shaft came off. The exact same issue as current recall p77 for 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. My truck shows a manufacture date of November 2003, whereas the p77 starts for trucks manufactured beginning January 2004. My question is what did Dodge do different from November 2003 to January 2004 ( 2 months), and if nothing , why isn't my truck not included in this recall? this is very dangerous. My 16 year old daughter was driving, and if her rear locked up on the highway, just a few minutes earlier, there could have been a major accident. This needs to be addressed immediately. This is a very popular truck, and someone could get seriously hurt!.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that with no warning that there was a noise coming from the rear upon releasing the acceleration pedal which was progressing. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 45 mph, the drive shaft fractured causing the rear differential to lock up and it was dragging in the rear. The contact had to apply extreme force to control the vehicle to pull it over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence due to the failure. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 03v503000 (power train), 14v796000 (power train). The vehicle was not diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Dyd.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at approximately 50 mph, there was a whining noise followed by a loud banging noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact indicated stated that the rear axle suddenly seized and the drive shaft detached from the vehicle, causing the driver to lose control and crash into a ditch. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was caused when the rear axle pinion nut became loose. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 14v796000 (power train). The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 185,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 20 mph, a clunky sound emitted from the rear of the vehicle. The contact had to maneuver to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the drive shaft was twisted and the pinion was fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 149,577.

I had just merged onto a freeway on-ramp when,, w/o warning, the truck shimmied and sounded a loud bang followed by loss of control of the vehicle which sent it spinning toward the edge of the road. I had just come over the mountain passes and was lucky to have not had it happen there. Upon getting out and inspecting the vehicle it was obvious what had happened: the rear section of drive shaft was laying on the ground and had disconnected abruptly from the rear differential. I've heard this is far from the first time this has happened with this model vehicle (NHTSA action number: pe14019) and hence feel the need to add to the catalog of reports.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving at 35 mph, the contact heard a noise underneath the vehicle. The rear wheels seized and the vehicle spun around. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the driveshaft fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was inspected by a technician. The technician diagnosed that the u joint, rear axles, gear oil, differential, gasket, and multiple parts in the rear of the vehicle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired by the contact and the technician. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 126,000.

Driving at approximately 40 mph in heavy traffic slowed by road construction a grinding noise started at the rear end of the truck. Approximately 5 seconds later and a loud pop the truck began shaking . I veered to the shoulder of the road barely getting it off the road . Looking under the truck found the driveshaft separated from the differential with the u joint a yoke still attached to the driveshaft . I had the truck towed to my residence on a rollback tow truck because the rear end was locked up. I searched online for anyone that might had this happen to them and found a recall from Chrysler for this very same problem. I contacted a local dealer who told me my vehicle had no recalls on it . I also contacted Chrysler corp who told me the same thing . I need this truck back on the road as soon as possible but would like to know if this is a defect and their recall should include my truck . Thanks.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. While driving approximately 55 mph, there was a grinding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled off on the off ramp of the freeway and lost control of the vehicle without warning. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the drive shaft was lying on the ground. The vehicle was towed to the contacts place of business. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v796000 (power train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Driving home from work at about 65 mph on the freeway, and the drive shaft came detached form the rear end. I was able to coast over to the right shoulder. Car was towed to a shop and repairs are pending. Repair facility told me that there is hole in the rear end casing.

Nhtsa action number: pe14019 recall p77 driving on the interstate when decelerating the rear end of truck violently started shaking. Under a constant speed shaking stopped. Took an exit to a county road where the truck shook violently again and the drive shaft came off the truck at about 45mph. Towed truck to mechanic who said the pinion nut came loose allowing the gear to fall into rear differential which caused drive shaft to fall off and shatter the transfer casing. Had this happened at interstate speed the drive shaft flying into a vehicle behind me could have been deadly. The is already a recall for the 2005 model referenced above. Called Chrysler, who said that my truck is not affected by this recall, even though the exact same problem occurred? I believe this recall affects more than just 2005 model rams and needs to be readdressed to multiple years.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the drive shaft failed causing the rear wheels to seize. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 211,000.

The pinion nut came loose and the drive shaft came out-locking the rear end-causing damage.

On my way to work when I heard a pop, lost all power and saw my drive shaft on the ground behind me. I had to pull over and had no way to keep the truck from rolling away. I had to remain inside my vehicle until help arrived. This is definitely a safety issue. I am lucky I didn't completely lose control when it happened and that I wasn't hit when I had to sit on the side of the highway inside my broken down truck. I see there are multiple incidents similar involving my year truck, yet Dodge has only recalled the 2005 model. My truck was manufactured December 30, 2003.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, smoke started to emit from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle began to shake and wobble before abruptly stopping. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear driveshaft fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,324.

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, a loud grinding noise emitted from underneath the truck as smoke started to come out of the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road and upon inspection by the contact, it was noticed that the drive shaft was hanging loose. The contact mentioned that there were two puddles of oil and the drive shaft was bent. The vehicle became inoperative. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle was damaged and that the pinion nut came loose. The dealer determined that the rear axle and the carrier of the axle needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 14v796000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included on the campaign. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,612.

While driving 65mph down a 3 lane highway, I heard a humming noise. I pulled over to the side of the road. I looked under the truck. The rear of my drive shaft was laying on the ground. Had it towed to a repair shop (cost $133. 59). Repair shop had to make repairs to the rear axle housing/differential (cost $3,543. 48). Total cost with tow bill $3677. 07.

Pulling up to stop sign traveling about 5-10 mph. Drive shaft fell out and rear end locked up. Had vehicle towed to shop and total bill was over 1200. 00 including tow. Has other Dodge rams had this problem.

While coming to a stop rear end locked. After inspection found drive shaft had come loose and fallen under truck. Had vehicle towed to home and after further inspection found nut had come off pinion causing drive shaft to fall off and pinion to fall back into ring gear and broke pinion,ring gear, and bearings. Unable to repair myself I had a used rear end installed in truck. I later heard that Chrysler had a recall for this failure and contacted them by phone. I was told that this truck was not covered by the recall. Why, when having the exact same problem as their recall, was my vehicle not included? I will have to find my bills for repairs and wrecker service , but I believe it was around 1400. 00, and I feel Chrysler should reimburse me.

While driving on a local road at approximately 35-40mph the vehicle started making a loud vibration noise. Within the next 3 miles the truck made a loud banging noise, the truck lurched and lost forward momentum. I was able to safely make it to the shoulder of the road where I discovered that the driveshaft had separated from the rear differential and had been rotating, banging the underside of the truck. The pinion nut was no longer attached to the pinion gear. The spline from the differential's pinion gear was askew and fluid was leaking out. The towing service indicated that the rear wheels were locked and the wheels would not rotate as the vehicle was dragged onto a flatbed. The transmission shop who conducted repairs confirmed that the rear axles was locked up and the differential would require a rebuild. This situation mirrors the NHTSA preliminary evaluation pe14-019 and linked to Chrysler's recall p77 / NHTSA 14v-796, with the difference being that this occurred on a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 not a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. The 2004 Dodge ram was manufactured within the same time frame as the 2005 Dodge rams in the recall (January 28, 2004 - August 3, 2005), June 2004. In addition the rear axle assemblies between the 2004 and 2005 Dodge Ram 1500s are interchangeable.

I was driving to work when my 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 started making a whining noise so I drove directly to my mechanic approx 15 mile drive. The noise got progressively worse turning to a grinding noise about two miles from the mech. When I was slowing to make my turn into the mechanic's driveway the rear axle assembly locked up and dropped the drive shaft. Had I been driving at a faster rate of speed this would of been serious, possibly causing driver injury.

As I was driving down the interstate I began to hear a noise in the rear end of my Ram 1500 pickup truck. I moved over to the right hand lane traveling interstate speed between 65 and 70 miles per hour when the drive shaft of the truck came loose from the rear axle of my vehicle. I contacted my father which is a mechanic and told him what had happened and he informed me that he received a letter from Dodge about a warranty recall for the bolts backing off that hold the drive shaft. I pulled the drive shaft out from under the truck and put my finger into the hole where the pin fits and the nut was still there and it had backed off the pin. When I contacted the dealership and showed them a picture the service tech's response was "holy shit" we will get it towed in and fix it. Apparently he didn't realize it was an older truck but you would think that if the drive shaft was different on the newer trucks and older trucks wouldn't you be able to tell the difference? fortunately no one was hurt but I am out almost 2,000. 00 bucks. I could understand if the bearings went out but Dodge has a recall on this same issue and this failure put me and my family in danger.

Driving downhill on the hwy 5 going north just before grapevine at 70 mph. I heard a loud bang and then noticed I had lost all drive as the throttle was just revving. Had to move very quickly from the speed lane over the right shoulder barely missing 18 wheelers coming down hill. Coasted on the shoulder downhill all the way into grapevine and into a parking lot. I looked under the truck and the entire rear drive shaft was missing as was part of the yoke that comes out of the differential that connects to the final shaft. Had to tow 100 miles back to los angeles. Complete rear axle/differential and shaft replaced.

: the contact stated while driving 25mph, the driveshaft broke without warning and ruptured the fuel tank causing a fire at the rear of the vehicle. No one was injured, but there was extensive damage to the vehicle. The fire department was contacted to extinguish the flames, a report was taken. A manufacturer representative inspected the vehicle and confirmed the source of the fire as the broken driveshaft.