NHTSA Complaint #751075 — 2001 DODGE RAM 2500

THIS VEHICLE LEAKS OUT A SUBSTANCIAL AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL THRU THE BREATHER TUBE WHEN DECENDING A GRADE STEEPER THAN 25 DEGREES. THIS CAUSES THE HOT OIL TO HIT THE ENGINE FAN WHERE IT IS FLUNG ALL OVER THE HOT ENGINE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD CREATING A EXTREME FIRE DANGER. THIS CONDITION ALSO COATS THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH OIL CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE BRAKING CAPACITY WHEN DECENDING STEEP HILLS. THIS CONDITION CAN AND WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO LOSE ALL OF ITS OIL RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE AND/OR FIRE, AND LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE. DODGE SAID THEY ARE AWARE OF IT, BUT RECOMMENDED I AVOID DECENDING STEEP GRADES. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE ANSWER. THEY OFFER NO OTHER SOLUTION. THE GRADES IN QUESTION ARE NOT EXCESSIVELY STEEP, AND ARE WELL WITHIN THE OPERATING PARAMETERS OF THIS VEHICLE. THE ONLY REASON I DID NOT SUSTAIN A SERIOUS INJURY OR FIRE IS DUE TO MY EXTENSIVE OFF ROAD DRIVING EXPERIENCE. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP.