Complaint 1902071

Complaint Summary

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Owner Narrative

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH the driver's side rear outer wheel suddenly detached from the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that all ten lug nuts securing the wheel had sheared off causing the failure to occur. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who serviced the vehicle under the NHTSA recall campaign number: 21V398000(Wheels). The lug nuts were replaced and the recall was completed. Approximately 3 months later the same failure occurred on the front driver's side wheel. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH the wheel suddenly detached from the vehicle causing the driver to lose control of the steering and crash into a concrete barrier. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the 10 lug nut bolts had also sheared off causing the wheel to detach from the vehicle. During the crash the front driver, front passenger, and rear passenger side occupant all sustained neck and back injuries that later required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was later towed back to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired under the previous recall campaign. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.