Safety regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are investigating 2009-2010 Dodge Ram 1500 4WD full-sized pickups for drive shaft problems. The agency has received a dozen consumer complaints that the Dodge trucks' rear wheels lock-up while being driven, risking collisions.

According to NHTSA's Office of Defect Investigations (ODI), eight of the complaints against the Dodge Ram 1500 allege the lock-up happened at speeds of 35 mph or higher. In four of those incidents, drivers lost control of the full-size pickup truck with one case resulting in a collision with a concrete barrier.

There have been no reported injuries or fatalities related to this problem.

Safety investigators at the ODI are working with Dodge engineers to determine the cause of the wheel lock-up on the Ram 1500 trucks and if an official safety recall to correct the problem is needed. The scope of the investigation includes regular, crew cab, and quad cab trucks with 4WD and an automatic transmission.

If you're an owner who has experienced a safety issue with a Dodge truck or any vehicle, see our advice on how to file a complaint with NHTSA on its website: www.SaferCar.gov.

Source:
Investigation: 2009-2010 Dodge Ram 1500 - Power train    ODI Campaign #: PE12021 [NHTSA]