/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.

- Bigfork, MT, USA

While driving truck began to lose power. Engine light illuminated.

- Conquer, CA, USA

While applying brakes at any speed and without warning vehicle will pull to left until release of brake pedal. Consumer states vehicle will pull to the left when braking and will drift to the right on freeway and brakes are squeaky when braking on stop, dealer replaced calipers, turned rotors and changed brakes, dealer found steering wheel off center, dealer has replaced upper and lower control arms, dealer has adjusted the front end and replaced the rims and tires, vehicle experiences lack of power and engine light has illuminated, vehicle idles high and is experiencing poor fuel economy, when driving on freeway it gets max of 14.5 mpg, smoke also comes out of the exhaust, left side electric mirror glass had fogged, left seat bottom loose, one missing bolt found, left seat trim bezel keeps miming loose won?T stay in seat for seat belt on seat back. Dealer stated that the 2002 models do not have vibration problems due to the suspension being changed to independent.

- Rancho Cardova, CA, USA

Intermittently vehicle will accelerate suddenly and then stall out and die without warning. Dealer has not been able to duplicate or correct problem. Consumer stated the vehicle has been into dealer at least 5 times.

- Lacrosse, VA, USA

Was told by dealer several of the same year make and models have been brought in with the same problem. No safety defect listed.

- Spartanburg, SC, USA

While driving 65 mph and without prior notice engine started knocking.then, vehicle stalled. Towed dealer who found there was hardly any oil in engine, and it had seized. Dealer stated there were 103 consumers on list for an engine of this type. Oil light had not come on, not did consumer notice a prior leak. Please add additional information.

- Methuen, MA, USA

Consumer was driving at 40-45 mph when suddenly motor froze, and vehicle started to pull to left/ lost all steering capability/hit a concrete divider, and then vehicle rolled over. Consumer noticed that of one of screws that held power steering to frame fell off, and it got stuck between wheel and frame which contributed to crash, causing injuries.

- Miami, FL, USA

Spark knock which they tell me is normal and there is nothing I can do about it, but it is so loud I can hear it over the radio at moderate level, contact factory and they state this normal, now my truck is out of warranty

- Gaston, SC, USA

No summary

- Columbia, MO, USA

When accelerating engine pings-particulary on hills at higher speeds/second time they suggested it was fuel quality and on last complaint they attempted to decarbonize engine.and suggest using fuel additive at every 3 thousand miles- also stated that this sparkplug knock would not harm engine- garden city dode mi. Was very nice and admitted that this problem has accured on other vehicles. My concern is that this is not how a new engine should perform and will bring problems down the line -especially when warrenty is gone- is this how a new erngine should perform and it seams quite evident that it will shorten the quality and life of the engine- also the knock continues and ive exhausted all available options for fuel. Regardless of the brand and still using recomended octain as scince day one (87)

- Winthrop, MA, USA

1st oil change noticed extra oil on dip stick, took back to dealer for check, told truck was making oil! changed fuel pump "no help" next week changed fuel injectors "no help" keep changing oil every week, any sugestions"?????"

- Warsaw, NY, USA

Engine was making a loud knocking and tapping noise. It was affecting the mileage/ fuel economy. Vehicle was taken to the dealer 4 times, and dealer claimed that they didn't know how to fix it.

- New Caney, TX, USA

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

- New Bloomfield, PA, USA