1999 Dodge RAM Pickup Engine cooling Problems

“We drive a 1999 Dodge ram 3/4 ton truck with an 11 foot camper on it. Last week while on vacation in montana, we had a major engine failure while driving at 70 MPH. On the mountain roads of interstate 90. The failure was sudden and there was no indication that there was a problem. I was able to get the truck off the highway and onto the shoulder before it came to a complete stop, even with the loss of power steering and brakes. We had the truck towed to missoula where the problem was traced to the injection pump freezing up from lack of fuel pressure from the transfer pump. …”

“Cracked block in 5.9 liter cummins diesel engine at 18,000 miles. Vehicle was a 99 2500 ram 4x4 pickup. Way too many of these are cracking. Engine was replaced under warranty but cummins refuses to replace others off warrany. Company has prior reputation of producing engines with life expectancy of 350'000 miles with no such defects.”

“Cummins mid-america had a bad casting of engine blocks 5.9 diesel. Some went into Dodge trucks, rv's, and school buses. The stamping on the block was 53. They cracked on the passenger side right below the turbo charger. Dodge would warrant these for 100,000 miles. After 100k you were on your own. This motor should last 300k to 400k miles. A very expensive option. The people are left holding the bag. Cummins will give $1000.00 for repair of block which requires a total swap of the block. This is a 8k to 10k fix. …”

“Consumer stated that while he was driving all of a sudden the vehicle accelerated and went up to 6000 rpms. Also consumer rode the brakes until he could get vehicle to stop. Then, he turned it off. After 20 minutes he attempted to restart the vehicle, and it started right up. He took the vehicle to the mechanic, but mechanic could not duplicate the problem.”