NHTSA Complaint #10122161 — 1996 DODGE RAM 2500

WE HAVE A 1996 DODGE TRUCK RAM P/U 2500 2DOOR E WITH 78,155 MILES. THE SLEEVE THREADING FOR THE OIL PLUG TO SCREW INTO UNDER THE OIL PAN BROKE DURING A CHRYSLER MILEAGE DRIVEN MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR MY RAM PICKUP CUMMINS DIESEL. THERE HAVE BEEN 17 OIL CHANGES DONE UP TO NOW. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE BREAKAGE WAS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT. THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME 2 OPTIONS FOR REPAIR: 1. UPGRADE TO THE NEW DESIGN OIL TANK WITH PLUG AND SLEEVE THREADING THAT ELIMINATED THIS PROBLEM. THE OLD AND NEW OIL TANK PARTS ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. 2. TRY TO USE SILICONE TO SEAL THE OIL LEAK. I NEEDED MY TRUCK WORKING AS IT WAS BEFORE THE BREAKAGE SO I PAID $923.47 FOR THE UPGRADED NEW OIL PAN DESIGN. IS THIS NORMAL FOR THE THREADS TO BREAK AFTER 17 OIL CHANGES? WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP IN DETERMING IF THIS A LEGITIMATE COST THAT WE MUST PAY OR IF THE MANUFACTURERE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PART OF THE COST. ALSO, IF YOU KNOW OF OTHER AGENCIES THAT MAY BE ABLE TO HELP US, WE WOULD APPRECIATE INFORMATION ABOUT THEM.