I do not think year has anything to do with it. Nobody can say for sure that only '99 engines had failed or only '01..... I have '99 with about 30K on it and I am worried about the engine also.. I use quaker 4X4 semisynthetic and change it every 2.5K.. besides before I drive I ALWAYS warm engine up... not sure if it will help in the future but I have no other means to prevent possible fatal mulfunction in the future