NHTSA Complaint #10078704 — 1999 DODGE INTREPID

WELL, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I HAVE HAD IT. FIRST IT WAS LITTLE THINGS LIKE THE WINDOW ONLY GOING UP OR DOWN WHEN IT FELT LIKE IT, THE OIL LIGHT FLASHING ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON, THE DRIVER SEAT RECLINING FOR NO REASON, ALL THE WEATHER STRIPPING COMING OFF OF THE DOORS. NOW MY WHOLE ENGINE IS SHOT AND I BELIEVE IT IS BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE PARTS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE OTHER DAY WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR WAS MAKING A NOISE ANY TIME I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. I CHECKED ALL MY GAGES AND EVERYTHING LOOKED OK, SO I TURNED OFF MY CRUISE CONTROL THINKING MAYBE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. SOMEONE DROVE PAST ME AND MOTIONED THERE WAS A PROBLEM, SO I STOPPED AND MY WHOLE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. I LIFTED MY HOOD AND THERE WAS A PIECE THAT GOES ON TOP OF MY RADIATOR THAT WAS OFF AND STEAM AND WATER AND COOLANT WAS EVERYWHERE. I HAD JUST CHECKED THE WATER BEFORE I HAD LEFT, AND MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEVER MOVED FROM ITS USUAL SPOT SO IT WAS ODD THAT MY CAR WOULD OVERHEAT. THE TOW TRUCK CAME AND SAID THAT 2 DAYS BEFORE HE HAD THE SAME EXACT CAR SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED. THE PIECE THAT IS ON TOP OF THE RADIATOR IS SOMETHING THAT PROBABLY SHOULD BE BOLTED DOWN, BUT IS ACTUALLY GLUED ON WITH A RUBBER SEALANT. ONCE THAT RUBBER GOT SO HOT, IT SEEMS THAT IT MELTED AND CAME OFF AND WITH ALL THE PRESSURE THE RADIATOR BLEW AND NOW I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASGET AMONG OTHER ENGIN DAMAGE. THE 1ST ESTIMATE I HAVE GOTTEN IS 2,500 WHICH IS OUTRAGEOUS, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THEY HAD JUST USED A BOLD AND NOT RUBBER GLUE ON A HOT RADIATOR.*AK