NHTSA Complaint #10050791 — 1999 DODGE INTREPID

WE BOUGHT A '99 DODGE INTREPID 11/22/99 AS A PROGRAM CAR W/ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON IT. WE BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER 'SURPRISES'. ON SATURDAY, 7/19/03 THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE CLOSEST DEALER AND FILLED OUT THE AFTER HOURS PAPERWORK. ON MONDAY 7/21 THEY CALLED & SAID THE ENGINE WAS 'SHOT' AND THE CAUSE WAS SLUDGE. THEY SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY NOT HAVING REGULAR OIL CHANGES SO IT VOIDED OUR WARRANTY. ESTIMATE $8,000 ON A CAR WITH A BLUE BOOK VALUE IS $5,000. MILEAGE ON THIS CAR IS NOW 62,080. *AK MY HUSBAND CALLED AN ENGINE REPAIR PLACE & THEY GAVE AN ESTIMATE OF $4,500. HE SAID HE DID QUITE A LOT OF THESE DODGE/CHRYSLER PRODUCTS BECAUSE THEIR ENGINES FAIL FREQUENTLY. IN FACT THE DEALERSHIP WE HAVE OUR CAR AT HAD JUST CALLED AND GOT THE SAME $4,500 DOLLAR ESTIMATE FROM HIM FOR A '99 DODGE INTREPID. COINCIDENTAL?! AND THEY'RE QUOTING US $8,000. SO THEY'RE MAKING ADDITIONAL PROFIT OFF OUR PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY SINCE MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE OIL OR WE WENT TO 'JIFFY LUBE' TYPE PLACES SO WE HAVE VERY FEW RECEIPTS TO PROVE WE CHANGED THE OIL REGULARLY. THE STICKER ON THE WINDSHIELD INDICATES WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED ABOUT 1,000 MILES AGO. SINCE WE ARE LEASING THIS CAR SO IN 15 MONTHS WE EITHER HAVE TO TURN IT IN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER OR BUY IT NOW FOR $8,549.51.