NHTSA Complaint #10045962 — 1999 DODGE INTREPID

1999 DODGE INTREPID 4 DOOR SEDAN, EQUIPPED WITH 2.7 LITER V-6 ENGINE, AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AT APPROXIMATELY 69,500 MILES TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, AND DASH OIL LIGHT CAME ON. HAD TO TRAVEL THREE MILES ON HIGHWAY TO REACH A SAFE EXIT. ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE TICKING SOUND WHICH INCREASED IN VOLUME. ENGINE FINALLY SEIZED WHILE COASTING TO OFF RAMP. NO INJURIES, NO VEHICLE FIRE. VEHICLE TOWED TO DODGE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS "ENGINE FAILURE." MECHANIC REPORTED APPEARS TO BE "SOME SLUDGE" HIGH IN ENGINE, SEEN THROUGH OIL FILLER HOLE IN VALVE COVER. DEALER ADVISED THERE IS A FACTORY REBUILT SHORT BLOCK AVAILABLE FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER FOR $6750 PLUS TAX. WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR DRESSING SHORT BLOCK WITH VALVE COVERS, OIL PAN, THROTTLE BODY, FUEL RAIL, ACCESSORY DRIVES, ETC FROM MY OLD FAILED ENGINE TO MAKE A COMPLETE ENGINE. HE ALSO SAID "MAY BE ABLE TO GET A USED ENGINE FROM A SALVAGE YARD FOR $3500-$4000 BUT WOULD NOT BE SURE OF 'RELIABILITY' OF USED ENGINE." OIL CHANGE FREQUENCY WAS 11-12,000 MILES PER CUSTOMER MANUAL. HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER ENGINE FAILURES OF THE DC 2.7 LITER V-6 ENGINE. *LA