Transfer Case problems of the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

Tl-the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, the rear end of the vehicle seized without warning. The contact stated that the transfer case, and drive line fractured when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the local deal,butte's mile high Chrysler Jeep Dodge ram kia 3883 harrison avenue butte, mt 59701 where it was diagnosed that the pinion nut failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would repair the vehicle under NHTSA campaign:12v474000 (power train), however other damaged parts would be on the customer to repair. The vehicle was not repaired the failure mileage was approximately 83,000. The VIN was not available. Ec.

I was driving at approximately 25-30 mph the rear wheels locked up and I nearly lost control of the vehicle. I safely made it to the center turn lane. The truck would not drive, I could feel and hear a noise from underneath. I got out and looked underneath, the driveline had separated from the rear axle. I pulled the drive line from the transfer case put it in 4wd and tried to drive to a side street, but the rear axle was seized. After taking it to a mech to get fixed that night. I checked and apparently there is a recall for this issue. I do all my maintenance at the dealership where I bough the truck brand new and they never told me, nor did I see a letter in the mail. Had this happened at freeway speeds it surely would have cause a crash.

While driving the rear end locked up and drvie shaft came unattached from rear end. Vehicle was not able to roll and was towed to dealer for evaluation. After initial evaluation from dealer other isues noted were at least the transfer case was damaged.

I am requesting the NHTSA explore the power train issues affecting the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. Driver was on highway driving at 60mph when truck starting making a whining and grinding sound which continued for about 1 mile before truck started to run funny . Driver slowed down and moved to the right lane when there was a big bang and a cloud of black smoke came from back end of truck. At the same time the rear end of the vehicle locked up and truck went skidding off the road. When driver examined car found that the entire drive shaft rod and transfer case were laying underneath of vehicle along with multiple other pieces of hardware. The transmission was also locked up and unable to release even in the neutral position. When the Dodge dealer looked into the incident they stated a " pin fell out of the drive shaft and backed up into the rear causing the pin to jam the transfer case". This incident resulted in a complete rebuild of the entire power train system. We would like to see a guide rail made mandatory for Dodge vehicles as this rod fallout could have resulted in a flipped vehicle. Furthermore less than 4 weeks later while driving same vehicle at 15 mph the truck started to shake violently and had to be towed because of a shredded bolt in the rear stabilizer bar that connects the rear to the axle. Vehicle once again to dealer who claims it is all due to the initial issue.