My Dodge 1997 Ram 2500 truck with 8.0L V-10 engine suffered sudden and complete loss of oil pressure and subsequent engine seizure on 13 August 2005. The truck had 74254 miles on the odometer at the time of the engine failure. The oil level in the engine was normal (full) at the time of the failure. After the engine failure, the truck was towed to the Dodge truck dealer in bozeman, Montana. I was advised by the assistant service manager that he had seen several Dodge truck V-10??S with seized engines due to oil pump failures but he knew of no factory program to correct the problem. Within a few days the dealer provided an estimate of $9461 to replace the engine with a mopar rebuilt engine and provide a 3-year warranty on the work. Given the relatively high repair cost quoted by the dealer, and an apparent lack of any factory program to cover even a portion of the repair cost, I elected to have the engine rebuilt by a local independent repair shop. During disassembly of the engine, it was found that one of the gears in the oil pump had fractured (broken) in several places. These fractures caused a sudden and completely unexpected failure of the oil pump, a complete loss of engine oil pressure, and subsequent seizure of the engine a few seconds of operation later. The oil pump gears were photographed and these images can be provided. The inner gear is broken in several pieces. All of the oil pump parts are available for inspection. Since oil pump gears are internal engine parts not subject to routine periodic maintenance and not subject to abuse by the vehicle operator, the failure is clearly due to material defect or manufacturing defect. A sudden and unexpected engine seizure in a highway vehicle is a serious safety issue. Since the reported 8.0L V10 engine seizure is not an isolated case, you should consider an immediate product recall of Dodge trucks with the 8.0L V10 engine, or other corrective action, to reduce future occurrences of the same problem.

- Belgrade, MT, USA

Without warning, the vehicle stalled while the consumer was driving at an undetermined speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two occasions, however they were unable to resolve the problem. The vehicle had a faulty crack shaft position sensor, the coolant level was too high in the pressure reserve tank and the cylinder heads were replaced.

- Ansonia, CT, USA

1997 Dodge Ram 2500 experiencing engine problems. Consumer backed out the driveway and as the vehicle reached the street, the engine died. Consumer started the vehicle, at first it seemed to have choked then went on fine. The consumer decided to get another vehicle because it was acting sluggish. When the consumer arrived to the dip she smelled fumes. It wasn't gas but an oily smell, it lasted a few seconds. Consumer wasn't sure if it was her vehicle because the vehicle in front of hers had a smoking tailpipe. The consumer decided to pulled over and phoned a wrecker. Before she could pull over other drivers and by-standers were informing her of smoke. She didn't smell or see any smoke. Within seconds the entire front of the vehicle caught fire. The consumer turned the vehicle off and opened the door. Flames were coming from under the vehicle as well. She jumped and landed on the grass and that's when she heard a loud bang, looked back and the entire front and inside front of the vehicle was on fire. Upon returning home she checked the driveway for any fuel leakage but there wasn't any.

- Arlington, TX, USA

Intermittently, the accelerator pedal would stick when placed into gear and the consumer had to apply pressure to the accelerator to release it. Subsequently, it releases suddenly in a way which caused sudden acceleration. The dealer completed the recall work on the vehicle in fall 2002 after which the problem surfaced. The dealer refused to repair the problem. The vehicle stalled when the A/C was on. (stalled continually)

- Reading, PA, USA

Consumer stated that oil light has illuminated, and oil is burning too fast. Cause unknown.

- Gardendale, AL, USA

Vehicle experienced problems with the intake gaskets. Consumer replaced them twice and then had problems with carbon build up. The vehicle needed a new engine. The problem started when the gaskets failed, which caused oil to leak into the valves.

- Rolla, MO, USA

Consumer states that the intake gaskets blew while driving causing engine to stall. Consumer narrowly avoided a collision.

- Bear, DE, USA

The intake gaskets was replaced twice, which caused the engine light to illuminate.

- Rolla, MO, USA

Consumer was traveling on highway and another vehicle jumped in front. Vehicle was making a noise coming from the tires. Also, oil was leaking from vehicle. Consumer has contacted the dealership.

- Emporia, KS, USA

Reporting frozen plugs are leaking due to rust. Dealer / manufacturer were not contacted at this time.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

When driving at hwy speed there is a loud knocking noise coming from the engine due to engine rod completely malfunctioning.

- Hackensack, NY, USA

Oil pan gasket cut resulting in leaking.

- Great Mill, MD, USA