There's a build-date period from October, 1998-March, 1999 that you want to avoid. There was a problem with the engine block casting plant and they used some slightly imperfect and repaired blocks. Those are the ones that have had the siginificantly higher failures according to Panorama magazine.
Over all, I don't think full engine failure is a "problem". All car models have similar failure rates, you just don't hear about it because nobody goes to a forum and talks about their Dodge. It really sucks for the few that it happens to, though.
Personally, if my engine goes someday, I'll put a new one in and keep her going just because I love the car so much. Won't do that with the Dodge.
