NHTSA Complaint #11536783 — 2014 RAM 1500

On 07 May 2023, the engine temperature light came lite up on my 2014 Ram 1500 which has the Fiat Chrysler Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine. The engine had approximately 138,000 miles on it. The incident occurred while driving on a major interstate highway with three (3) other people in the vehicle. We were fortunate to have an exit close to where the incident occurred and we were able to get the truck off the highway. An independent service center was contacted and performed a diagnostic on the truck. They only code found at the time was for the engine temperature light. On 21 May 2023, the check engine light came on with no warning nor were there any previous or prior failures with the coolant system. A scan revealed a P0303 Cylinder 3 misfire was detected. On 25 May 2023, I replaced all six (6) spark plugs and coil packs. On 04 June 2023, the check engine light came on and a scan revealed a a P0303 Cylinder 3 misfire was detected. I made an appointment at Faulkner Ram Dodge dealership in Mechanicsburg, PA and was able to get the truck in until 07 July 2023. During the period 04 June 2023 through 06 July 2023, I did not drive the truck. On 07 July 2023, the dealership informed me the engine head gasket had blown, allowing coolant into cylinder 3 which was the cylinder that had shown up on the scan as the cylinder 3 misfire. The dealership indicated a new engine would be required to fix the problem. I ordered a rebuilt Fiat Chrysler Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine from Jasper Engines and it's currently being installed by one of their preferred engine installers. Upon doing research on the Fiat Chrysler Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine, the cylinder 3 misfire is a known issue and typically ends with a new engine being installed into the vehicle. There are no warnings or symptoms of the issue prior to failure. The dealership repair center indicates the issue was caused by a blown head gasket and a new engine is in order. This is exactly my same experience.