NHTSA Complaint #10091408 — 1999 DODGE INTREPID

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK THAT MORNING AND THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNK AND THEN THE WHEEL LOCKED UP. I WAS UNABLE TO BREAK OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT MAJOR DIFFICULTY. MY SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 45 TO 10 IN SECONDS SO I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP. WHEN THE CAR WAS TOWED AND CHECKED BY THE MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHANGE PREMATURELY "POPPED" AND ONE FOR THE PULLEY'S BENT ALL OF THE VALVES WHICH BLEW MY MOTOR. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT IT WOULD TAKE $5000 TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. I DON'T HAVE $5000 SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MOTHERS HOME WHERE SHE HAS ROOM FOR THE CAR AND IT HAS BEEN SITTING EVER SINCE. I HAVE A 5 YEAR LOAN ON THIS VEHICLE THAT MUST BE PAID AND NO VEHICLE. EVEN A USED MOTOR IS GOING TO COST ME AT LEAST $2800-$3000 AND THIS IS NOT MONEY THAT I HAVE AVAILABLE TO ME. THE CAR WAS WELL-MAINTAINED AND RECIEVED OIL CHANGES AND I MADE SURE TO GET EVERYTHING DONE BEFORE IT WAS NEEDED. I STILL HAVE 3 YEARS TO GO ON THE LOAN AND ABSOLUTELY NO WAY TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. AND I KNOW THAT THE LONGER THE CAR SITS THE WORSE THE OVERALL DAMAGE WILL BE BECAUSE THINGS WILL BEGIN TO WEAR DOWN FROM NON-USE. BUT WHAT ELSE CAN I DO??*AK