2007 DODGE DAKOTA Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE DAKOTA CLUBCAB 4X2. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR BECAME STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. HE WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. FIRE AND POLICE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 28,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS TOWING A BOAT OUT OF THE WATER. SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE HOOD AND MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED. UPDATED 06/12/09.*JB

DRIVING BETWEEN 35 AND 45 MPH. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, THE KEY HAD NOT BEEN TOUCHED. THE GAS GAUGE DROPPED TO NOTHING, THE ONLY LIGHT I NOTICED ON THE DASH WAS THE CURRENT MILEAGE. I HAD NO POWER STEERING, NO POWER BRAKES, I ROLLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT ON MY FLASHERS, PUT THE TRUCK INTO PARK, TURNED THE KEY OFF AND THEN STARTED THE ENGINE. IT ONLY FAILED ONCE BUT IF I WAS ON A HIGHWAY OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC MOST LIKELY MY WIFE AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. MILES ON TRUCK WAS APROX. 2,900 MILES DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB 4 DOOR, V6 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, MANUFACTURE DATE IS 5/2007 I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID WITHOUT AN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE A 3:00 PM APPOINTMENT TODAY. I TOLD HIM HE...