# 2008 DODGE RAM 2500 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT
> NHTSA complaint `714930` · 2009-04-06 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** DODGE
- **Model:** RAM 2500
- **Year:** 2008
- **Manufacturer:** Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- **Component:** POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT
- **Miles at failure:** 26,177
- **Speed:** 35 mph
## Narrative
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500.  WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE U-JOINT AXLE FAILED, WHICH JAMMED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT.  THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A TELEPHONE POLE.  HE WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.  THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP.  THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO CALL THE DODGE MANUFACTURER AND HIS INSURANCE COMPANY.  THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.  THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER HE STRUCK THE TELEPHONE POLE; HOWEVER, HE STATED THAT THE AXLE FAILED PRIOR TO THE CRASH.  THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED.  THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,177.  THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE U-JOINTS FAILED DUE TO LACK OF GREASE. WHEN THE U-JOINT BROKE, THE AXLES BINDED WITH EACH OTHER AND THE AXLE JAMMED THE SPINDLE MAKING  IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CENTER. .  THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF A NOISE DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, BUT WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. UPDATED 04/22/09.*JB  UPDATED 05/04/09 *BF  THE CONSUMER STATED HE HEARD A BANGING NOISE IN THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. RIGHT AFTER THE NOISE, THE STEERING WENT TO THE RIGHT AND HE JUMPED THE CURB. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE CONSUMER NOTICED 2 PARTS FROM HIS VEHICLE WERE ON THE STREET. THE PARTS WERE 2 EARS OFF THE LEFT FRONT AXLE U-JOINT. ONE WAS MALE AND THE OTHER WAS A FEMALE AND THEY WERE STUCK TOGETHER.   UPDATED 05/04/09.*JB
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*