NHTSA complaint: 1998 DODGE RAM 1500 — WHEELS
I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-94 GOING NORTH IN THE CENTER LANE, SUDDENLY IT FELT LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. I SLOWLY TURNED INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND SUDDENLY MY ENTIRE WHEEL ROLLED OFF MY TRUCK AT ABOUT 55 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY TOWARDS THE LEFT LANE AND THEN BOUNCED UP BETWEEN THE CONCRETE DIVIDERS AND FLEW INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC HITTING ONE CAR IN THE FRONT END. I HAD DRIVEN THE TRUCK THE NIGHT BEFORE ABOUT 50 MILES AND NO PROBLEMS, I DROVE THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT ABOUT 10-15 MILES BEFORE THE WHEEL FELL OFF THE TRUCK. ALL BUT 1 LUG ON THE ROTOR WERE BROKE OFF AND THE ONE LUG THAT WAS LEFT WAS BENT AND THE LUG NUT WAS GONE. I HAD MY TIRES ROTATED ABOUT 4-6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT AND HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER FRIEND THAT CERTAIN TYPE RIMS ARE PRONE TO THE LUGS BECOMING LOOSE AND THE TIRE FALLING OFF. THAT'S WHY I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO REPORT THIS POSSIBLE DEFECT. MANY MORE INNOCENT PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. THIS WAS AN OVERSIZED TIRE AND PROBABLY WEIGHED OVER 75 LBS. DT
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation