NHTSA Complaint #10112337 — 2000 CHRYSLER CONCORDE

2000 CHRYSLER CONCORDE WITH 56,000 MILES I WAS DRIVING ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY NEAR FORKED RIVER, NEW JERSEY WHEN I HEARD A POPPING SOUND, THEN THE ENGINE WENT DEAD. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE PLASTIC COVER OVER THE ENGINE WAS TORN AND OIL/GAS WAS SPLATTERED EVERYWHERE. WE NEEDED TO BE TOWED OFF THE GSP BY THEIR TOW TRUCK, THEN HAD TO CALL AAA AFTER THAT FOR ANOTHER TOW. SINCE WE WERE ABOUT 80 MILES FROM HOME, THIS RESULTED IN A TOWING CHARGE OF OVER $200. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HE SPOKE WITH SERVICE PERSONNEL AT THREE DIFFERENT CHRYSLER DEALERS, AND ALL TOLD HIM THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THE ENGINE ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE, AT OR AROUND 50,000 MILES THE TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, RESULTING IN IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IS $5,000. *JB