NHTSA Complaint #10851357 — 2003 FORD RANGER

CARQUEST WATER PUMP NEW 18420011 (T4188) COMPLETE FAILURE AFTER 100 MILES. A NEW WATER PUMP WAS INSTALLED ONTO A 2003 FORD RANGER V6 3.0 VIN-V TRUCK. HE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BETWEEN 25 - 60 MPH OFF AND ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 WEEK TOTALING ABOUT 100 MILES. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (30-35 MPH) AND WITH SLIGHT ACCELERATION, THE BEARING HOUSING SHEARED OFF FROM THE WATER PUMP BODY LAUNCHING THE COOLING FAN/CLUTCH INTO THE RADIATOR. POWER STEERING FAILED (NO DRIVE BELT) AND THE COOLING SYSTEM DUMPED IT'S CONTENTS. THE BODY OF THE PUMP IS STILL INTACT TO THE VEHICLE, BUT THE REST OF IT CAME OFF. UPON INSPECTION OF AN IDENTICAL PART FROM THE SAME STORE, THERE IS AN APPARENT CASTING COLOR DIFFERENCE ON THE PUMP. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A CASTING DEFECT PRESENT IN THE PUMP AND THE INSTALLED PUMP BROKE ALMOST PERFECTLY ALIGNED TO THE CASTING COLOR DIFFERENTIATION.