What 301 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Ram 3500

The vehicle had a sudden acceleration problem and the driver ended up in a big crash. The driver is in the hospital with many injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer before, at the beginning of March, because the check engine light was on and the throttle control light on and the truck didn't shift properly and dealer said that he doesn't have a transmission mechanic for about a month. They worked on the recalls and the oil and fuel filters change. Afterwards I took the truck to another shop. They changed the oil at the transmission, but the truck showed the same messages on the cluster almost immediately. I took the truck to another mechanic and they changed the solenoids in the transmission, but in a short time the same messages (Check engine light and throttle control light) came on the cluster. When these light came on the truck didn't shift properly so I spoke with another mechanic about the problem and he programmed me for an appointment on August 4th. This date is too late now, because on July 25th I lost the truck in a terrible accident due to sudden acceleration of the truck and the driver could not stop it. The brakes failed and he tried to slow it down driving it against the concrete curve but he couldn't, the truck kept on speeding then he hit a big tree in order not to crash other cars on the road or the people in the driveway close to the place of the accident.

NHTSA ODI 11476916

I WAS HAULING A 15,000 LB FIFTH WHEEL WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT ABOUT 45MPH COMING UP TO THE LIGHT ON HWY. 35 AND HWY. 20 INTERSECTION NORTHBOUND IN INDIANA. I TAPPED MY FOOT ON THE BREAK TO SHUT MY CRUISE CONTROL OFF LIKE I NORMALLY DO AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE THROTTLE TO CONTROL THE ACCELERATION TO THE LIGHT. I REALIZE I WASN'T SLOWING DOWN PROPERLY AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND STOOD BOTH FEET ON THE BREAK TO TRY TO STOP TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I ENDED UP HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME EVEN WITH THE TRUCK AND TRAILER BRAKES APPLIED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF IN EITHER VEHICLE. EVERYTHING WENT SO QUICKLY, DIDN'T KNOW WHY THE TRUCK DIDN'T WANT TO SLOW DOWN. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRUCK OR MY 2018 TRUCK. I BELIEVE THE CRUISE CONTROL NOT SHUTTING OFF WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO COME AND INVESTIGATE IT TO SEE IF THAT WAS THE ISSUE OF THE ACCIDENT. I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED IT.

NHTSA ODI 11104007