NHTSA Complaint #10175416 — 2004 DODGE RAM 1500

ORIGINALLY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE EGR POSITION SENSOR AND THE DEALERSHIP RE PROGRAMMED THIS WITH NEW SOFTWARE THIS TOOK PLACE 02/07/06. SEEMED TO TAKE CARE OF ORIGINAL STALLING ISSUE. *NM THEN ON 12/2/06 I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY AND MY TRUCK WAS SHAKING BAD. I COULD TELL THAT THE ENGINE WAS MISFIRING. IF THE ENGINE WENT DOWN TO AN IDLE IT WOULD STALL, WHICH IT DID SEVERAL TIMES, LEAVING ALL SYSTEM COMPONENTS POWERLESS (NO STEERING OR BRAKES ETC). I HAD MY PREGNANT WIFE IN THE TRUCK WITH ME AT THE TIME. PUTTING HER IN DANGER THIS WAY LEFT ME LESS THAN THRILLED. WE TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY. THEY TOLD US THAT CYLINDER #4 WAS NOT FIRING (NO COMPRESSION) AND TWO OTHER CYLINDERS HAD LIMITED COMPRESSION. THEY ENDED UP CALLING SOME DODGE TECH. LINE. SINCE THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND A TSB REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. TURNED OUT THERE IS ONE IN EXISTENCE #02021 FROM 11/4/2002. THE TECH LINE SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE ONE OR MORE VALVE SPRINGS COULD BE BROKEN. THE DEALERSHIP IN FACT TOOK THE VALVE COVERS OFF AND SURE ENOUGH THERE IS A BROKEN VALVE SPRING. THEY TOLD US SEVERAL OTHERS SEEM WEAK. I HAVE 71,500 MILES ON THE TRUCK AND YOU GUESSED IT SURPRISE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 70,000. THIS IS GOING TO COST AROUND $1200.00 OUT OF POCKET!!! I WANT DODGE TO BACK THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE ALOT OF DISCUSSION BOARDS WITH INNOCENT PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. A BROKEN VALVE SPRING IS AN OBVIOUS ERROR ON THE ENGINEERS END OF THINGS...BAD DESIGN.....FAULTY METAL. THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE. I HAVE HEARD THAT DODGE IS ON THEIR 3RD DESIGN ON THE VALVE SPRINGS FOR THESE TRUCKS. OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. IF THEY HAVE TO KEEP RE-MANUFACTURING. BUT THAT PUTS THE REST OF US THAT HAVE THE ORIGINAL DESIGN IN HARMS WAY. IT IS A VERY SCARY FEELING TO HAVE YOU TRUCK QUIT ON YOU IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THANK GOD THAT NOTHING HAPPENED TO ME OR MY WIFE. *NM