NHTSA Complaint #11197141 — 2011 DODGE RAM 3500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE WATER PUMP BEARING DISINTEGRATED. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE STEAM AND SMOKE THAT IMPACTED THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO BRAKE EXTENSIVELY TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE INTERNAL WATER PUMP LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. A DEALER HAD NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V562000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); ALTHOUGH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE RELATED TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONTACT WANTED TO DETERMINE IF THIS WAS A CONCENTRIC-BRAND WATER PUMP AND IF THE MANUFACTURER'S REMEDY PROVIDED A NEWLY DESIGNED WATER PUMP WITH A HOLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. * CONSUMER STATED WATER PUMP, IT BROKE THE SERPENTINE BELT WHICH POWERS STEERING AND BRAKES. WHEN THE WATER PUMP FAILED, IT BROKE THE SERPENTINE BELT WHICH POWERED THE STEERING AND BRAKES. I COULD NOT TURN BUT COULD SLIGHTLY MOVE THE WHEEL ENOUGH TO GET THE SIDE OF ROAD. MY ELECTRIC THAILOR BRAKES WERE ALL THAT STOPPED MY TRUCK!!!*JB