What 1,732 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Ram 1500 Quad Cab

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 74 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AS THE FRONT SUSPENSION EXPLODED. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE REPORT INDICATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURNED HAND, BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11102124

TRAVELING WEST ON I-4, ORLANDO, FL BETWEEN SAND LAKE ROAD AND EXIT TO 528E AT 1:25 PM IN LEFT HAND LANE. AS I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES TO THE RIGHT I ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY AND FELT A "THUMP" (THE ONLY WAY I CAN DESCRIBE IT) THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE TRUCK SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND FISH TAILED. I LOST CONTROL FOR THAT INSTANT AND MY TRUCK STRUCK THE VEHICLE TO MY LEFT IN THE REAR BY THE TAIL LIGHTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF MY TRUCK AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS DID THE OTHER VEHICLE. MY COMPLAINT CENTERS ON WHY THE TRUCK SUDDENLY ACCELERATED; WHAT WAS THE "THUMP" THAT I FELT; IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION (NEW DESIGN FOR 2014) AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL; WHAT WOULD CAUSE THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION? HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE ON THIS OR OTHER CHRYSLER MODELS? PLEASE RESPOND ASAP.

NHTSA ODI 10746060