NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
229 reportsClear category filter97,000 miles · Jun 1, 2021
Power Train
The contact owns a 2010 RAM 1500. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the driveshaft detached from the sub-frame of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. There was no warning light illumin…
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The contact owns a 2010 RAM 1500. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the driveshaft detached from the sub-frame of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V474000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but provided no further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
NHTSA ODI #11419178
115,000 miles · Jan 8, 2021
Power TrainSteeringUnknown Or Other
TRUCK BROKE DOWN WHEN DRIVING CITY STREET NORMAL CONDITIONS. DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF AND BROKE IN TWO. RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL N08 - REAR AXLE PINION NUT OPENED APRIL 2013. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE TO TRUCK, $13K OR SO IN PARTS ALONE OR MORE THAN TRUCK VALUE. HAD MY TRUCK SINCE JUNE 2020, JUST NOW INFORMING ME THEY WILL NOT CO…
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TRUCK BROKE DOWN WHEN DRIVING CITY STREET NORMAL CONDITIONS. DRIVE SHAFT FELL OFF AND BROKE IN TWO. RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL N08 - REAR AXLE PINION NUT OPENED APRIL 2013. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE TO TRUCK, $13K OR SO IN PARTS ALONE OR MORE THAN TRUCK VALUE. HAD MY TRUCK SINCE JUNE 2020, JUST NOW INFORMING ME THEY WILL NOT COVER ANY DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE SAFETY RECALL ISSUE (ONLY THE RECALL REPAIRS WHICH IS MINIMAL). DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE WITH CHRYSLER? ARE THEY CORRECT IN THEIR HANDLING OR DO THEY OWE ME SOME KIND OF FAIR SETTLEMENT PAYOUT SINCE THE DAMAGES ARE WORTH MORE THAN THE TRUCK VALUE (TRADE IN AROUND $12K).
NHTSA ODI #11387176
93,000 miles · Sep 23, 2020
Power Train
WE HAVE A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 THAT WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A DEALER ON 8/15/19. VIN RECORDS INDICATE THAT RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED IN 2014 TO SECURE THE PINION NUT. ON 8/31/20, WE WERE DRIVING AND HEARD A LOUD SOUND, OUR VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, FISHTAIL AND THE REAR END LOCKED UP CAUSING US TO COME TO A STOP SIDEWAYS ACROSS 2…
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WE HAVE A 2010 DODGE RAM 1500 THAT WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A DEALER ON 8/15/19. VIN RECORDS INDICATE THAT RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED IN 2014 TO SECURE THE PINION NUT. ON 8/31/20, WE WERE DRIVING AND HEARD A LOUD SOUND, OUR VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, FISHTAIL AND THE REAR END LOCKED UP CAUSING US TO COME TO A STOP SIDEWAYS ACROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC JUST MISSING HITTING A PEDISTRIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHOM AFTER INSPECTION STATED THERE WAS NO SECUREMENT DEVICE IN PLACE WHICH RESULTED IN THE PINION NUT COMING OUT CAUSING OUR DRIVESHAFT TO FALL OUT AND THE REAR END LOCK UP.
NHTSA ODI #11360795
93,000 miles · Sep 20, 2020
Power Train
ON 8/31/20 WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET (SHORTLY AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY) WE HEARD A LOUD SOUND, OUR VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, FISHTAIL AND THE REAR END LOCKED UP CAUSING US TO COME TO A STOP SIDEWAYS ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. WE BARELY MISSED HITTING A PEDISTRIAN. THE DRIVESHAFT HAD FALLEN OUT. AFTER A MECHANIC INSPECTI…
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ON 8/31/20 WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET (SHORTLY AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY) WE HEARD A LOUD SOUND, OUR VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, FISHTAIL AND THE REAR END LOCKED UP CAUSING US TO COME TO A STOP SIDEWAYS ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. WE BARELY MISSED HITTING A PEDISTRIAN. THE DRIVESHAFT HAD FALLEN OUT. AFTER A MECHANIC INSPECTION FOR REPAIRS, WE WERE TOLD THE PINION NUT CAME OUT WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVE SHAFT TO FALL OUT AND THE REAR END TO LOCK UP.*DT
NHTSA ODI #11360064
115,000 miles · Jul 13, 2020
Power Train
AROUND THE 115,000 MILE MARK THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL STARTED TO MAKE A WEIRD NOISE WHEN I WASN'T ACTIVELY ACCELERATING. WHEN I WAS COASTING I COULD TELL SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE REAR END OF MY VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP I BROUGHT IT TO CONFIRMED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS HAVE GONE BAD. AT ONLY 115,000 THOUSANDS MILES …
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AROUND THE 115,000 MILE MARK THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL STARTED TO MAKE A WEIRD NOISE WHEN I WASN'T ACTIVELY ACCELERATING. WHEN I WAS COASTING I COULD TELL SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE REAR END OF MY VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP I BROUGHT IT TO CONFIRMED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS HAVE GONE BAD. AT ONLY 115,000 THOUSANDS MILES I THOUGHT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE AND A SAFETY ISSUE. ANYWHERE FROM 10PMH OR FASTER THE GRINDING NOISE CAN BE HEARD.
NHTSA ODI #11339074
223,635 miles · Jun 27, 2020
Power TrainCrash
DROVE DOWN THE ROAD AND THERE WAS A HUMMING SOUND FROM THE REAR END THAT PROGRESSIVELY GOT LOUDER THEN STARTED TO MAKE A RATTLING SHAKING SOUND AND LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID THEN WHEN WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A LOUD BANG AND BACK WHEELS SEIZED UP COMPLETELY WHICH RESULTED IN MY SWERVING VIOLENTLY AND ENDING UP IN A DITCH. WHE…
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DROVE DOWN THE ROAD AND THERE WAS A HUMMING SOUND FROM THE REAR END THAT PROGRESSIVELY GOT LOUDER THEN STARTED TO MAKE A RATTLING SHAKING SOUND AND LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID THEN WHEN WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A LOUD BANG AND BACK WHEELS SEIZED UP COMPLETELY WHICH RESULTED IN MY SWERVING VIOLENTLY AND ENDING UP IN A DITCH. WHEN I GOT OUT AND LOOKED THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS IN THE ROAD. I HAD A TOW TRUCK TOW IT TO MY FAMILY'S HOUSE WHERE IT STILL SITS NOW BUT DRIVE SHAFT IS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND. THIS ALL IS FOUND IN RECALL N08
NHTSA ODI #11331179
122,000 miles · Jun 8, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COLUMBUS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (2806…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COLUMBUS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (2806 23RD ST, COLUMBUS, NE 68601) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE ENGINE SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. *BF*JB
NHTSA ODI #11327770
196,000 miles · Oct 8, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEIZED AND INDEPENDENTLY SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID ON THE GROUND AND ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEIZED AND INDEPENDENTLY SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID ON THE GROUND AND ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.
NHTSA ODI #11266967
176,000 miles · Aug 9, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE REAR TIRE TO STOP SPINNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE REAR TIRE TO STOP SPINNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE SAME DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.
NHTSA ODI #11242733
101,300 miles · Jun 19, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. AFTER THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS, HE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. ALSO, THERE WAS A VIBRATION FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON FRANKLIN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 RAM 1500. AFTER THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS, HE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. ALSO, THERE WAS A VIBRATION FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON FRANKLIN SOMERSET CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM NISSAN (LOCATED AT 1147 SOUTH HIGHWAY 27, SUMMERSET, KY 42501, (606) 678-8178) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE GEARS AND BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,300.
NHTSA ODI #11221235
Official recalls
4Mar 8, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U04.
Dec 20, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Feb 6, 2013
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Remedy: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
Oct 2, 2012
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2010, Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota trucks, manufactured from July 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, because the rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to a lack of adhesive.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.