NHTSA complaint: 2009 DODGE RAM 2500 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE A 2009 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL. THIS TRUCK HAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000 MILES ON IT - COMPLETELY STOCK VERSION. I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN MY WINDSHIELD FLUID STARTED TO SPRAY BY ITSELF. WHEN I LET OUT THE CLUTCH ON THE GREEN LIGHT I LOST ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE. I ATTEMPTED TO RE-START THE VEHICLE AND REALIZED I HAD NO POWER AT ALL. I PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PUT MY KEYS IN MY POCKET. I POPPED THE HOOD AND COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TIPM BOX UNDER THE HOOD. I OPENED THE COVER EXPOSING THE FUSES AND COULD SEE A MASSIVE ELECTRICAL SHORT OCCURRING. AFTER ABOUT TEN MINUTES THE TIPM CAUGHT FIRE, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO START ITSELF, HORN ACTIVATED AND BEGAN TO SLOWLY LURCH DOWN THE ROAD WITHOUT A DRIVER. I WAS THANKFULLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE RED-LINED AS THE TIPM HAD A LITERAL MELT DOWN. A PASSERBY STOPPED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND HELPED ME PUT OUT THE FIRE AND GET THE BATTERY CABLES DISCONNECTED. AS IT TURNS OUT THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THIS FAILURE ON SEVERAL MAKES / MODELS BUT CHRYSLER IS NOT ADDRESSING IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD THAT COULD'VE RESULTED IN DEATH. NHTSA, CAS AND CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT NOTHING IS HAPPENING EXCEPT CUSTOMERS HAVING TO REPAIR THIS AT THEIR OWN COST. I AM A LOYAL DODGE CUSTOMER AND ONCE REPAIRS ARE MADE TO THIS VEHICLE WILL BE SWITCHING BRANDS AS THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR ANY YEAR / CONDITION OF VEHICLE BUT ESPECIALLY ONE THIS NEW AND WITH ONLY 47,000 MILES ON IT. I WOULD LIKE
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation