Purchased my 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 second hand from a new car dealer 3/2012. Haven't had any problems except for an "undiagnosed" creaking noise coming from the front drivers side suspension- but it is just a noise.

On 1/18/16 while driving to work at 1330, I heard what could best be described as a whistle upon deceleration. It was barely audible with the radio on but the truck was running ok so I notified my husband (who's a mechanic) and advised him... On my way home from work at 0030, the whistling upon deceleration was getting louder and louder. All of a sudden there was a loud BANG and my rear tires locked up! I was able to maintain some-what control and pull off the road. So there I sat, 0030 in 23 degree weather and a vehicle I can't get home in.

Called husband - woke him up and told him to come get me... Local PD and husband arrived 20-25 minutes later and at that point I was able to see that, there on the ground is the drive-train (thing).. I was only traveling at 35mph (got a tckt recently - watching my speed now) but had I been traveling any faster this could have turned out REALLY BAD. The wheels are locked, so putting my truck on the flat bed was awesome (NOT) to watch.

So, today I call the Chrysler Dealership that the representative from Chrysler's # 800-247-9753 told me to (after being told that I don't know the issue with my vehicle and that it needs to be checked by a mechanic and then transferred without warning Second rep at Chrysler was much more helpful). Well, that Service Department phone rep told me that they can't even look at my truck for 2-3 days. After telling him the issue I had last night and that I have a case # from Chrysler and can not go without a vehicle - he stated that even IF what I'm telling is true they don't have a vehicle to loan me. He advised that I can rent a vehicle and offered to give me the number of another dealer that is 45 mins (as opposed to 15 mins) from my house.

This is absolutely ridiculous. I understand that the dealers have appointments and need to make money however, Active recall issues that have rendered the vehicle in-operable should take priority (should be a directive from Chrysler) at least to get the vehicle in and diagnosed so that a loaner COMPARABLE vehicle can be assigned.

I was towing a 4,000 lb trailer when I started hearing a whining/grinding noise, it continued for about 2 miles getting worse and worse. I realized something was very wrong so i slowed down and got into a turning lane and as soon as I did the rear end locked up and I heard a big bang, I get out to inspect and was blown away to see my drive shaft laying on the ground!! I was shocked this happened with so little warning! Thank god I was not on the highway, had I been going 60mph with the trailer and this happened the result could have been catastrophic, I cant even think about what would have happened.

The dealership called the next day saying that the pinion gear had failed throughout the ring gear destroying my rear end. They need to do a total rebuild on the axle and drive shaft. Thank god this is covered under warranty(lifetime powertrain) otherwise would have cost me $2,500.

Up until this point I have loved my dodge it has been a workhorse I have 83,000 miles of which at least 60,000 are towing miles! But this makes me nervous, if this happened what else could happen??? I drive my 3 year old daughter around in this truck, like i said heaven forbid if I had been on the highway with the trailer when this happened, somebody was looking out for me that day!!

I have an 09 and the rear end shuddered then locked up on the highway last Oct . It was on the I-5 to Seattle from Canada right in the middle of the highway @ 4:30 pm,stranded for 2 hrs., traffic backed up for 10 miles.

Should add that I just had an oil change and yes diff oil was changed by a lube shop , that should have alerted me to some kind of problem with only 12K miles . Anyway the dealership in Seattle hassled me said they would not honor the warranty because I had the lube done by a 3rd party,,so I called Chrysler Canada , they weighed in for me and got them to do the work. I'm out of pocket at least $1000, cell phone calls , extra hotel costs ,lost wage, it goes on but I'll stop hear .