NHTSA Complaint #10078966 — 1999 DODGE RAM 1500

I BOUGHT A 1999 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP WITH A 5.2 LITER ENGINE FROM SWIFT DODGE IN DAVIS, CA IN DECEMBER OF 1998. THE FIRST DAY, I NOTICED THAT IT HAD A SPARK KNOCK OR PING WHEN ACCELERATING UP THE SLIGHTEST GRADE. WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON OR WHEN PULLING A SMALL TRAILER, THE KNOCK WAS WORSE. I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT EVERYTIME I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP. *AK THE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED TWICE BY THE DEAER, AND I WAS TOLD THAT WOULD FIX IT. IT DIDN'T. I'VE HAD THE TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE AT SWIFT DODGE APPROXIMATELY 13 TIMES OVER THE PAST 4+ YEARS, EACH TIME COMPLAINING OF THE SPARK KNOCK. SOMETIMES THEY HAVE SAID THEY CAN'T HEAR IT, SOMETIMES THEY JUST PUT ME OFF, AND SOMETIMES THEY CHANGED THE MANIFOLD GASKET. NOW, I'M TOLD - AT 129,000 MILES - THAT THE GASKET HAS FAILED AGAIN AND THAT THE CYLINDER HEADS NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL, ALL FOR THE PRICE OF $2,000+. I'VE CALLED CHRYSLER TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE ONE COMPLAINT ON RECORD WITH THEM FROM APRIL 2001. THERE ARE 2 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ON THIS VERY PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THE FIX IS ONLY TEMPORARY, AND WHEN THE TRUCK IS PAST ITS WARRANTY, THE CONSUMER PAYS. IT'S NOT FAIR THAT A CHRONIC DESIGN PROBLEM ISN'T DEFINITIVELY REMEDIED BY THE MANUFACTURER UNDER WARRANTY. IF ALL COMPANIES INCLUDED DESIGN FLAWS IN EVERY PRODUCT THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD EVENTUALLY BE CHARGED FOR, COMPANIES COULD ENJOY A STEADY STREAM OF AFTER-WARRANTY INCOME. THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENED HERE. BY THE WAY, THE WEB IS FULL OF CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND THREATS OF CLASS-ACTION SUITS FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM WITH 1999 DODGE PICKUPS AND DURANGOS. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ANY LEGAL RECOURSE, BUT I'M LODGING MY LEGITIMATE COMPLAINT ANYWAY. YOURS TRULY, DENNIS PARKER