NHTSA Complaint #10054807 — 2003 DODGE RAM QUAD CAB

I OWN A 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB 4X4. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE ENGINE DIED. I RESTARTED AND HEARD A LOAD CLANKING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE A CONNECTING ROD KNOCK. I CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY ARRANGED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT GET IT STARTED. WHEN HE FINALLY GOT IT STARTED, THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. THE ENGINE WAS TORN DOWN AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VALVE SPRING ON THE INTAKE VALVE FOR THE #6 CYLINDER HAD BROKEN IN TWO, THE VALVE HAD DROPPED INTO THE CYLINDER, FLIPPED OVER, PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE #6 PISTON AND SNAPPED IN HALF. THE DEALER, FENTON AUTO GROUP IN PAMPA, TEXAS HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF ARRANGING FOR A LOANER CAR, AND GETTING THE MECHANIC TO WORK ON IT IMMEDIATELY. DODGE IS REPAIRING UNDER WARRANTY A BRAND NEW SHORT BLOCK, BRAND NEW PASSENGER SIDE HEAD, VALVE SPRING AND VALVE. THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE PARTS IMMEDIATELY (THE NEXT DAY) AND PLAN TO HAVE IT REPAIRED QUICKLY. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IF I WERE BUILDING OR REBUILDING AND ENGINE THAT HAD A BROKEN VALVE SPRING PROBLEM THAT I WOULD REPLACE EVERY VALVE SPRING ON THE ENTIRE ENGINE. AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE AND A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS COULD SAVE SEVERAL THOUSAND LATER. SECONDLY, I THINK I AM ENTITLED TO SOME SORT OF COMPENSATION FOR THE LOSS OF THE USE OF MY PICKUP IN THE WAY OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AT NO CHARGE, SERVICE CONTRACT ETC. THE PAYMENTS DON'T STOP JUST BECAUSE THE TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT ROTORS TURNED DUE TO WARPAGE. THE TRUCK WAS A DEALER DEMO PURCHASED WITH 5,669 MILES ON IT AND CURRENTLY HAS 11,285 MILES. DODGE IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AS THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AT DALLAS DODGE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS AND STATED HE HAD HEARD OF THE PROBLEM IN SCHOOLS. *LA