# 2004 DODGE RAM 1500 — STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
> NHTSA complaint `512243` · 2004-12-14 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** DODGE
- **Model:** RAM 1500
- **Year:** 2004
- **Manufacturer:** Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- **Component:** STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
- **Miles at failure:** 5,226
- **Speed:** 70 mph
## Narrative
DRIVING  NORTHBOUND ON THE 101 FREEWAY IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE CHANGED TO THE CENTER LANE ON DRY ASPHALT PASS A SLOWER MOVING CAR AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. FACE IMPACTED THE STEERING WHEEL .DON,T RECALL ANYMORE THAN THAT  DO HAVE AN ACCIDENT REPORT.   THINK THE RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE OR SOMETHING IN THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION.  TIE ROD OR BALL JOINT THE INSIDE OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL IS ESTROYED AND WAS OFF.  THE TRUCK COMPLETE WITH LARGE BRACKET BROKEN TIE ROD AND BALL JOINTS AND ROTOR . OUTSIDE OF WHEEL IS NOT DAMAGED.  RIGHT REAR WHEEL HAS THE BRAKE DRUM/DISC AND PART OF THE BROKEN OFF AXLE STILL BOLTED TO IT.. ALLPAR HAS A REPORT ON DODGE RAM AXLES BRAKING 2002 AND UP.STATES A NEW DESIGN IS IN PLACE FOR 2006. IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM..*AK  TRUCK HIT A CONCRETE WALL AND SKIDDED TO A STOP IN THE THIRD LANE OF TRAFFIC ON FIRE UNDER THE FRONT END A FOLLOWING WITTNESS STATED SPARKS WERE FLYING THROUGH THE AIR.. THEY ALSO PUT OUT THE FIRE.  MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.  DODGE DENIED ANY RESPONCIBILLITY A CLAIM WAS FILED HAVE THE LETTERS AND EMAIL.  THE DEALERS ADDED FURTHER INJURY BY CHARGING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND HIGH INTEREST  FOR A NEW MAGNUM SXT.MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO BUY THE RT MODEL..   I DO HAVE THE TWO WHEELS IN QUESTION AT THE SHOP I WORK AT TRI CITY TANSMISSION SERVICE. AND PHOTOS  OF THE AFTERMATH.. AT THE BODY SHOP.THEY COULN'T BELIEVE I WALKED AWAY.  THANKYOU FOR YOUR TIME  SINCERELY  MICHAEL A YOUNG
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*