NHTSA Complaint #10863302 — 1999 DODGE RAM 2500

TRUCK HAS A 53 BLOCK WHICH HAS CRACKED BELOW THE #5 CYLINDER FREEZE PLUG AT 74,000 MILES. FIRST NOTICED OVERHEATING WITH LOSS OF COOLANT THAT DIDN'T GO ON THE GROUND, THEN FOUND 53 ON BLOCK AND FOUND CRACK. DODGE WILL NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OF THE 53 BLOCK EXISTS, AND HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT RUDE IN THEIR DENIALS AND LACK OF INFO. CUMMINS WILL AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS OFFERED NO SOLUTIONS FOR A PROBLEM CAUSED BY POOR BLOCK DESIGN. ESTIMATES TO FIX ARE ABOUT $9,000. WHICH I CAN'T AFFORD. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A DODGE EXTENDED WARRANTY, HOWEVER DODGE REFUSES TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE TRUCK TO OVERHEAT, WHICH COULD LEAVE DRIVER AND PASSENGER(S) STRANDED OR EVEN CAUSE A FIRE.