I own a 1997 Dodge Avenger I bought it brand new it has the 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl engine the head gasket is leaking on it and I almost ran it out of oil. I have heard that this is a default head gasket from the manufacture on this type of engine my car has been regularly maintained and has real low mileage since I bought the car brand new miles is (71,000).

- Springfield, MO, USA

A leaking head gasket was confirmed by our local Dodge dealership, at which time they volunteered information that "inferior" headgasket material had been used when the vehicle was manufactured. I asked if it had been recalled and was advised that it had not. I was informed that there was no other relief available, as the warranty had long expired. I obtained a quote for repairs from the dealership and several independent shops. Because of a significant difference in price, the vehicle was not repaired at the Dodge dealership. When the work was completed, I was informed by the independent shop that there was nothing we could have done, in driving the vehicle, to cause the headgasket to fail. They further advised that the replacement gasket, which was purchased from Dodge, was totally redesigned. On my return home, I called the daimler Chrysler consumer hot line. Their representative quickly offered to reimburse the cost of the head gasket materials, but would not reimburse labor costs, as the repairs had not been performed at one of their dealerships. It was of no concern to their hot line representative that one of their own dealerships had advised that no recourse was available to us.

- West Linn, OR, USA

This should be a recall. I have low miles on my car & their should be no reason why my head gasket needs to be replaced. I have my car serviced for oil changes on a regular basis. I read people's complaints & the amount of people that had to replace their head gasket is riduculous. This should definantely be a re call. I contacted cyrsler but it seems they cannot be bothered. I also found that the Dodge neons have the same problem. I don't understand why crysler does not look into this further. Their are numerous complaints.

- Monroe Twp, NJ, USA