NHTSA Complaint #10114769 — 1998 DODGE INTREPID

IN DECEMBER A MECHANIC TOLD ME THE OIL WAS LIKE SLUDGE IN THE CAR, ACCUSING ME OF NOT HAVING IT CHANGED ALTHOUGH I HAD IT CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. HE TOLD ME THEN ABOUT THE ENGINE FAILURE WITH THE 2.7 LILTER. IN MARCH, MY ENGINE STARTED TAPPING AND THE OIL LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. THE ENGINE IDLE WAS LOWER THAN NORMAL AND IT WOULD SOUND LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I CHECKED THE OIL WHEN THE TAPPING STARTED, AND IT WAS FINE. THAT WAS A THURSDAY NIGHT. I DROVE THE CAR TO WORK (3.5 MILES ONE WAY) AND BACK ON FRIDAY. SATURDAY MORNING I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE GARAGE 3 MILES AWAY FROM HOME TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED OUT, AND WHILE TRYING TO GET THERE, THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A RACKET, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING, AND THEN THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND HAD TO PUSH ME OUT OF THE ROAD WITH HIS CAR AS THE METRO POLICE STOPPED TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE GARAGE, AND THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR. I HAD CHECKED THE OIL BEFORE I LEFT AND THERE WAS NO OIL TRAIL ON THE ROAD. WHEN THE MECHANIC PUT THE CAR ON A LIFT, HE SAW THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS BLOWN AND THE ENGINE WAS SHOT. I STILL OWE MONEY ON THE CAR, AND NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT DOESN'T RUN. *AK