1998 Dodge RAM 2500

DEAR SIRS: I AM CONTACTING YOU ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND ALL OWNERS OF 1998.5-2002 DODGE RAM PICKUPS EQUIPPED WITH 5.9L 24 VALVE CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A FAULTY FUEL LIFT PUMP THAT IS SUBJECT TO PREMATURE FAILURE. THIS CAN CAUSE SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE INJECTOR PUMP RESULTING IN UNEXPECTED ENGINE FAILURE. THIS FACT IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE WEB AMONG OWNERS, AS WELL AS DIESEL EXPERTS. THE LIFT PUMP FAILS WHEN IT IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FUEL TO THE INJECTOR PUMP. ITS FAILURE RATE IS SIGNIFICANT IN THE CUMMINS DIESEL APPLICATIONS BECAUSE THE PUMP IS DEFECTIVE AND THE REMOTE LOCATION FROM THE FUEL TANK PLACES ADDITIONAL STRESS ON THE DEFECTIVE PUMP, THEREBY CAUSING PUMP FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THERE IS NO WARNING TO THE CUSTOMER WHEN THE LIFT PUMP PRESSURE FALLS BELOW THE MINIMUM 48 OZ. IN 30 SECONDS, THEREBY CAUSING IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE INJECTOR PUMP. REPAIR OF THE DAMAGED INJECTOR PUMP IS IN EXCESS OF $2000. SOME OWNERS HAVE REPLACED THE OEM LIFT PUMP AS MANY AS FOUR TIMES. EVEN CUMMINS, WHO MANUFACTURES THE ENGINE FOR DAIMLER CHRYSLER, HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEFECTIVE PUMP (EMAIL EVIDENCE CAN BE SUBMITTED UPON REQUEST). DAIMLER CHRYSLER TOOK NO STEPS TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF THIS DEFECT AND THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY REFUSED REQUESTS BY OWNERS TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PUMP WITH THE MORE RELIABLE ONE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH ADDING THE FUEL PRESSURE WARNING LAMP. THEY WILL ONLY PROVIDE SUCH RETROFIT IF THE OWNER IS WILLING TO PAY THE PARTS AND LABOR COST OF WELL OVER $1000. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS ALLOWED CORPORATE GREED TO ECLIPSE THE SAFETY OF ITS CUSTOMERS. I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED LIFT PUMP FAILURE, SINCE MY VEHICLE IS A 1998.5 WITH ONLY 5000 MILES. I DO, HOWEVER, FEEL THAT DAIMLER CHRYSLER SHOULD REPLACE THE PUMP WITH THE MORE RELIABLE PUMP AND FUEL PRESSURE WARNING LAMP. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM SINCE ANY UNANTICIPATED ENGINE FAILURE CAN JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS. *JB