Yup, upper ball joint failed. They usually get some play in them first, but it is a mechanical part and they do occasionally fail.
Just a note, other than the axle shafts and hub bearings in your 4x4, front end parts are not part of the powertrain. , thus not covered by the powertrain warranty.

 

Apparently the lady that is handling my internet case # is out today. At least I have a case number. The phone call that was made to customer service didn't result in anything but frustration ( AND a NO). Sad that I can get better handling of this by internet and not by human contact. I did talk to the dealer and no one from Dodge called. We'll see tomorrow. Gut feeling is that I'll get the "not covered" crap. As much as I like the truck itself, it can go down the road if Dodge does not want to do anything. Last thing I expect to changeout at 56,000 miles are ball joints. I was actually looking forward to the plug changeout at 60k. The dealer I'm working with also has a Chevy branch, so who knows. I know I'll get crap from everyone, but the last 2 pickups I had no issues with "ball joints" and either has my wifes (at 165000 miles). Actually, all 3 have had no major issues until the odometer was over 100,000...Guess I'm frustrated because the lack of caring/concern from Dodge. At least it came apart at 25 mph and not at 65 (which would have been the case had I decided not to go to a meeting that night). As I said earlier in the posts, that would have been one helluva ride !!

 

And, to get some opinions, will it be worth the effort to fight this if Dodge continues to say no? I.E.-Consumer protection agency, NTSB, USDOT (lots of Dodges running the highway with dot stickers), state attorney generals office, or get the opinion of a lawyer (to spend $10k on a $3k fix). I read somewhere today that Dodge/Chrysler did not have to stand behind its products previous to the bankruptcy/bail out-Maybe its internet b.s. or ??

 

we have 3 dodge fleet trucks 1500s and ALL developed cracks at that location.

Our mechanic saw it on one truck and advised us to check the others...all had cracks.
Thankfully he caught it otherwise it would have ended up like the OP

 

I hope Chrysler does something for you, but I don't think you'd have much to pursue if they don't. A ball joint is considered a wear item, no different than brake pads and as such is up to the consumer to inspect and should be done along with tie rod ends, wheel bearings, CVs, etc. at every oil change time. I'm SURE there was a significant amount of play in that ball joint BEFORE it failed. Not blaming you by any means, just emphasizing how important periodic inspections are. I currently am running with both upper ball joint boots about totally disintegrated, so I am constantly checking them for play.
It's increasingly important to inspect front end components in every truck, no matter who makes it as they are ALL going to non-greasable, asian made components.
I've seen this a few times and not just in Rams. Seen Daks, 'Yotas, GMs & Ford trucks have a ball joint failure and lose the wheel at one time or another over the years. I've even seen a Furd Diesel with SFA, but in that case it snapped the lugs and only lost the wheel/tire on the interstate...

 

On my ram the upper ball joint on the drivers side did the same thing. As an ASE master tech it seemed to me maybe the Upper ball joint had been over tightened from the factory and increased the stress on the joint itself.