Our Truck has been well cared for, we've been very good about oil changes, checking fluids, tire pressure. My Wife drives the truck to and from work and is what you call a "Hyper-miler" so she can get the best possible fuel mileage out of it.

The "Check Gauges" light just started going off one day, When this would happen the oil pressure indicator would drop to nothing. When the vehicle came to a complete stop, the oil pressure would recover and it would bottom out as soon as we started moving again. We took the truck to a mechanic, who informed us a day later, that the oil pump needed to be replaced, but to ensure this doesn't continue to happen additional work would need to be done. the price he quoted us, puts the repair in the "Might as well replace the engine" range.

A 7 year old vehicle that has been well maintained, should NOT need this kind of work.

Update from Oct 27, 2009: Update: So it turns out, that the dealership claims the pump and engine have not been damaged. They claim that when we had our oil changed earlier this month, it loosened debris into the pickup tube which is inhibiting the flow of oil. This repair, on top of the $86 diagnostic is another $659 + tax + hazardous waste removal.

So it seems that rather than accusing us of NOT getting regular oil changes, they are telling me this was caused by an oil change. Oh, and here's the kicker....they want to charge me for ANOTHER oil change and new filter. (part of the above estimate)

This is the second Dakota this has happened to. I bought a 1998 sport Never had a problem until the day the oil gauge dropped. By the time I got where I was going the rod bearings had come loose. I liked the vehicle and bought this 2002 4x4. Two weeks ago there was an attempt to steal the vehicle from our church parking lot. The column and driver door was damaged. I had it towed to a dealer on flat bed truck. They repaired the damage and I went to get my truck. Before I left the lot the oil gauge dropped and it began to tick. I went back inside and told them. I did this three times and tried to leave and finally told them to find the problem as I didn't want to blow another engine. I also called my insurance as this was not happening before the attempted theft and towing. They and the dealer told me this is just coincidental. None the less I am told it was the oil pump and it has been fixed. I will pick it up tomorrow after paying $1174.00.

Took to dealership(Mark Dodge in Mobile Alabama) original service person who assured this would be resolved and was common problem, was fired and new person didnt contact for 2 weeks. He said mechanic reported sludge and catastrophic engine failure requiring replacement. When questioned how this diagnosis was derived when the oil on stick was clean and the pressure was normal at the time we went out to vehicle, as well as idled smooth as a kitten. Service manager had no answer. When he said fan had to be replaced on air conditioner as this was also reported as only working on high, questioned about why it would need to be replaced since it was a regulator outside of the fan that regulates speed, he had no answer for this and said not necessary to pay for visit as it was misdiagnosis. Since that time, 1 year later the engine has slung a rod, which I feel is directly related to the multiple complaints I am seeing regarding this problem on the internet