| Components - Details | |
|---|---|
| NHTSA Complaint Number: 005034599 | Incident Date: Aug, 14 2005 |
| Consumer's City: BIGFORK | Consumer's State: MT |
| Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO | Manufacturers Name: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Model Name: RAM VAN | Model Year: 1999 |
| Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No | Component's Description: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline |
| Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No | Persons Injured: 0 |
| Vehicle's VIN#: 2B6HB1128XK | Date added to File: May, 23 2021 |
| Date Complaint Received: Aug, 17 2005 | Complaint Type: IVOQ |
| Incident Reported To Police: No | Purchase Date: Aug, 09 2000 |
| Was Original Owner: Yes | Anti-lock Brakes: Yes |
| Number of Cylinders: 8 | Date of Manufacturer: - |
| Was Vehicle Towed: - | Description of the Complaints: /18/05 1999 dodge ram van 360 ci v-8 i bought the vehicle in the summer of 2000. i drive it very little-current mileage is 37,000 after 5 yrs. ownership. we just took a trip to california, and went through almost a case of oil! also, the engine was pinging quite a bit-especially at highway speeds. i got on the internet when i got home from the trip, and found numerous complaints and comments from others who have had similar problems. a couple of them referred to a technical service bulletin that was supposed to have been issued by dodge, but i couldn't find it (probably not available to the consumer). i called kari dodge (local dealership) and described the problem to the service manager. he was very familiar with this problem-said it was common among 1999 and 2000 318 and 360 engines. he said the problem is caused by a faulty intake manifold gasket, and that i shouldn't be driving it, because engine damage could result. i made an appointment to have them check it out-and the cost will be $540 to make the repair. looking back in time, i first noticed that the engine was pinging around 3 years ago, on a previous trip to california (it's most noticeable on extended highway trips-which i don't take very often). i would guess the mileage on the vehicle would have been around 20,000, which would have meant the warranty would have covered the repair. i just thought the problem was due to low octane fuel, so i started using higher octane fuel. then, of course, from that time on, i have mainly been using the vehicle in town and rarely go over 50 mph, which makes the problem less noticeable. i really feel that this should be a recall issue for dodge. on top of that, it makes me very unhappy that a potentially engine damaging defect like this could be allowed to exist-without some sort of notification to the owner. i suppose if they did that much, then it would be an admission of guilt on their part. *jb |
