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. Updated 05/04/09 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.

- Eynon, PA, USA