NHTSA Complaint #10110319 — 2005 DODGE MAGNUM

CAR PURCHASE IN LATE OCTOBER/EARLY NOVEMBER 2004. AS OF NOW IT HAS 3800 MILES ON IT. DECEMBER 18TH, THE CAR BREAKS DOWN AFTER DRIVING THROUGH SOME BODY OF WATER (A BIG PUDDLE) ON A PUBLICLY MAINTAINED ROAD. MY WIFE CHECKED WITH A COUPLE AUTHORITIES AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THIS IS PUBLICLY MAINTAINED AND NO SPECIAL VEHICLE IS NEEDED TO DRIVE DOWN IT. (NOTE: NO WATER GOT INTO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR? NOT LIKE IT WAS DRIVEN INTO A LAKE OR ANYTHING WEIRD LIKE THAT). THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED (CENTURY DODGE IN MOUNT AIRY, MD). THEY GAVE ME A RENTAL CAR. AFTER ABOUT THREE WEEKS (JAN 4 MAYBE), THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO THE ENGINE AND BLEW IT (HYDRO LOCKED I BELIEVE). AT THIS POINT THEY SAID THEY NEEDED AN EXPERT FROM DODGE TO COME IN AND EVALUATE WHETHER OR NOT THIS WAS A WARRANTY OR INSURANCE ISSUE. A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT, THE EXPERT SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED AND THAT INSURANCE NEEDED TO BE BROUGHT IN TO COVER DAMAGES. ON ABOUT JANUARY 14TH, THE DEALERSHIP CALLED AND SAID THAT INSURANCE WOULD COVER THE DAMAGES AND THEY NEEDED TO ORDER A NEW ENGINE. THEY ALSO SAID THEY COULD NOT PAY FOR THE RENTAL ANYMORE, BUT THEY DID GIVE ME A DEALERSHIP LOANER. AS OF TODAY, I STILL HAVE THE LOANER AND DO NOT HAVE MY CAR. THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR AN ENGINE TO BE BUILT AND SHIPPED TO THE DEALER. THEN THAT WILL BE INSTALLED. *JB