NHTSA Complaint #10049555 — 2000 DODGE INTREPID

I PURCHASED A NEW 2000 DODGE INTREPID APRIL 15, 2000. WHILE ON MY WAY TO THANKSGIVING DINNER, ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON & 2 SECONDS LATER THE CAR STOPPED. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO MOVE IT TO THE RIGHT LANE (THERE IS NO EMERGENCY PARKING ON THE VAN WYCK) WHEN ALL LIGHTS INCLUDING MY HAZARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. MY FAMILY AND I ALMOST DIED ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER THAT NIGHT AND AFTER REPEATED CALLS TO THEM THEY RESPONDED SIX DAYS LATER TELLING ME THE STARTER NEEDED REPLACING AND I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. WHEN I CALLED TO FIND OUT WHEN IT COULD BE PICKED UP, THEY TOLD ME I HAD A SEASED ENGINE AND THEY DID COULD NOT TELL ME WHY. MY WARRANTY WAS FOR 7 YEARS OR 50,000 MILES; HOWEVER, I NOW HAD 60,000 MILES THERE FORE I AM NO LONGER COVERED AND MUST PAY $7000 FOR A NEW ENGINE. I OWE $13,000 ON MY CAR NOTE, THE DEALER TOLD ME TO PAY OF THE NOTE AND COME BUY ANOTHER CAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND NUMEROUS CASES OF SEASED ENGINES ON THE MODEL. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION, MY FAMILY WAS ALMOST KILLED AND I AM SURE THERE HAVE BEEN CASES WHERE THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN FATAL. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. *LA