NHTSA Complaint #11209779 — 2007 DODGE RAM 2500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED ON THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE BEARING CAUSED THE SERPENTINE BELT TO DETACH. THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP TO ALBANY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (LOCATED AT 2315 SANTIAM HWY SE, ALBANY, OR 97322, (541) 967-9105). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE DESIGN WAS DIFFERENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,426. *AS CONSUMER STATED THE NARRATIVE ON THIS FORM DESCRIBES THE 2ND FAILED WATER PUMP AT 87K MILES. THE FIRST WATER PUMP FAILED AT 25K . AT THIS LOW OF MILES, THIS VEHICLE IS ON THE 3RD WATER PUMP. IS THERE A DESIGN FLAW? THREE WATER PUMPS IN 87K MILES IS JUST NOT NORMAL. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN STEERING AND BRAKES FAIL WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.*JB