NHTSA Complaint #758766 — 2000 DODGE RAM

LEFT, FRONT HUB BEARING FAILED, WITHOUT WARNING, RESULTING IN NEAR ACCIDENT. DAMAGED LEFT, FRONT HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY, SPINDLE, BRAKE CALIPER, BRAKE ROTOR, BRAKE PADS, ABS BRAKE SENSOR, AND TIRE. THE BRAKE CALIPER WAS THE ONLY THING THAT KEPT THE WHEEL FROM COMING OFF. THIS PART IS NOT SERVICEABLE AND ON PAGE 214 OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL IT IS STATED "FRONT WHELL BEARINGS FOR ALL DODGE RAM TRUCKS ARE SEALED-FOR-LIFE. THEY DO NOT REQUIRE GREASING OR SEAL REPLACEMENT." THIS IS A VERY UNEXPECTED AND COSTLY EXPERIENCE THAT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED WITH REGULAR MAINTENCE BECAUSE IT IS A HIDDEN PROBLEM WITHIN A PART THAT IS "SEALED-FOR-LIFE". THERE ARE MANY OF THESE TRUCKS ON THE HIGHWAYS THAT MAY BE ENCOUNTERING THIS SAME POTENTIAL PROBLEM. THANK YOU.