NHTSA Complaint #11613950 — 2018 RAM 2500

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH uphill and hauling a loaded trailer, the contact noticed that the radiator fan had engaged, and the vehicle made an abnormally loud shredding sound and the engine started overheating. Additionally, there was smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe and there was an abnormal coolant odor. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact noticed that the rubber part of the radiator fan shroud was stuck inside the radiator fan and was shredded, causing a hole in the rear of the radiator. The contact noticed that there was no coolant inside the reservoir. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the radiator, the fan, and the fan shroud were replaced; however, the failure recurred while hauling a loaded trailer. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer, Cronic Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (2515 N Expy, Griffin, GA 30223), where the same repair was made. Additionally, the dealer installed pins on the radiator fan shroud. The contact stated that the pins were detaching, and the contact was concerned that the failure would reoccur. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.