NHTSA Complaint #10104781 — 2002 DODGE INTREPID

I FINANCED A 2002 DODGE INTREPID IN FEBRUARY 2003. THE PAYMENTS ARE OVER $400 PER MONTH FOR 6 YEARS.ON DECEMBER 21, 2004, THE ENGINE FAILED. I STILL HAD A WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE, SO I CALLED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT. AFTER AUTHORIZING THEM TO BREAK THE ENGINE DOWN AND SEE EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. AFTER THE WARRANTY COMPANY CAME OUT TO DO THEIR INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY FAULT AND I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CHARGES. THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS SLUDGE BUILDUP AND LACK OF OIL CHANGE. MY PROBLEM IS THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL. THERE WAS NO ENGINE KNOCKING , THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON, THE CAR WAS RUNNING GOOD. AND THEN ONE DAY THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD. I STILL HAVE 4 YEARS TO PAY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE TO BUY A NEW ENGINE, WHICH COSTS $4,000 TO $7,000. (THE ENGINE ONLY HAD 59,000 MILES ON IT) THIS DOESNT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME. I ALSO HAVE TO PAY THE DEALER $360 FOR BREAKING THE ENGINE DOWN TO FIND THE PROBLEM. IS THERE ANY HELP FOR ME OR IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? IN THE PAST WEEK I HAVE HEARD HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE ENGINE PROBLEMS IN THE DODGE INTREPID. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. LORI JUSTICE 12/30/04. *AK