TRAVELING 20 TO 25 MPH, UP A HILL, IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD "BANG". THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT, STRIKING A TREE. NEVER WOULD YOU EXPECT A VEHICLE TO BRAKE IN SUCH A WAY AS TO THROW YOU INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I BELIEVE THAT THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY INVESTIGATED AND A RECALL ISSUED. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSFER CASE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE FRONT AXLE HAD BACKED OUT RESULTING IN FLUID LEAKING OUT. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT HAD BEEN REDESIGNED. *TR