The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that while trying to replace the spare tire he was unable to remove the tire because the flat iron was bent and would not function properly. The vehicle has neither inspected nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Dayton, OH, USA

I bought the truck 10/29/10 with 22 K miles on it and have 29950K now. I have had to replace the whole front end, rack and pinion steering system tie rod ends, leaky back window, third brake light, balance and rotate tires 3 times, rail dust, new carpet, leaky third light, new rotors and brakes at 24K, air cleaner, wipers. I questioned the front end when I bought it and was told it as just tires out of balance. When I picked it up and asked if the front end looked good because I noticed the front tie rod ends had a lot of play and I was concerned with issues due to that. I was told the front end was fine no problems with it. I later took it back and had all the front steering components replaced. I picked up the vehicle and had no alignment and was told they only set the toe. I had to keep the steering wheel a full half turn to the left to go straight. I paid for an alignment and the printout showed my toe was set under the specifications. I have tired unevenly worn due to bad front end components. I had to have the front head lamp replaced due to cracking inside the lens, a back seat that the latch did not work properly. After picking up the vehicle bolts that needed tightening due to carpet being replaced. I question how this vehicle was properly inspected and none of these things were noticed. I drive my daughter daily in this vehicle and it remains to have front end problems. I have done research and noticed a lot of issues with crashes relating to faulty front ends on these vehicles. It continues to remain unsafe.

- Brooklyn, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Ram quad cab, with Goodyear Wrangler hp 275/60R20 tires. While driving 70 mph the driver side rear tire blew-out, which caused him to swerve to the shoulder of the road. He could not change the tire because the jack nor the wheel nut that's standard, did not come with the vehicle. The failure mileage was 10,406. Updated 12/01/09 updated 12/29/09 the consumer stated the tire that blew out had dry rot. The consumer realized the only way the spare tire can be released from the cable is from underneath the truck after jacking it up on the frame, pushing the spare tire up to the frame and releasing the cable from the rim. The consumer also stated there was not enough spare tire cable length. Updated 12/31/09. Additional information from consumer. Updated 01/21/10.

- Denison, TX, USA

I bought my truck used it had 24000 on it. Before the warranty was out had in shop for tranny problem they said it was a sensor. They replaced the sensor. Not a month later took back for ac problem and tranny still was not right. They had to replace all of the ac components under dash it had collapsed, $1800 worth of parts. They could find anything on tranny. I have now had my truck a year. This month had to have front shocks replaced they leaked all oil out and front bearing replaced on passenger side. $1000 later front end is still making noise and rides rougher than before. The tranny is still giving problems. Now the rearend is also making whining noise. The truck has about 80,000 miles on it. I have never had this many problems out of a vehicle with less than 100,000 miles on it. I travel for a living so I have put many miles on many vehicles. I notice the 06 models having recalls for bearings and brake system but nothing for 07. Didn't know if maybe my truck was made in the earlier part of the year so it might possibly have the same defective parts.

- Bremond, TX, USA

Item: Automobile scissor jack (applies to all models/make) event: I almost moved a car lifted by a scissor jack, but at the last second, I stopped and noticed the missing wheel and scissor jack. Suggestion: Currently, most vehicles comes with a dark color (black, blue) scissor jack. This causes total lack of visibility at night, as well as stranded in the highway at high speed by other vehicles. My advice is to encourage manufacturers to use reflective paint/labels on the scissor jacks to make them more visible, therefore, reducing potential accident and improve osha communication standards. This will improve a safe environment to towing drivers, mechanics, emergency crews, police, firemen, and vehicle owners. A scissor jack, as most are, painted dark to keep the low profile during storage. However, it does not aid for a total safe operation for tire replacement. Additional visibility can be added if manufacturers paint them in bright colors (approved by dot), corporate logos, etc. It has to be a color that contract with the other vehicle parts, pavement, and grounds. Contact me for additional information/suggestion on the above.

- San Antonio, TX, USA