NHTSA Complaint #10118255 — 1999 DODGE INTREPID

WE PURCHASED THE INTREPID WITH THE 2.7L ENGINE WITH 29,000 MILES ON IT FOR APPROXIMATELY $13,000. MARCH 18, 2004, WITH 82,000 MILES ON IT, THE ENGINE FAILED. WE PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THESE EVENTS, BUT IT EXPIRED AT 75,000 MILES. *JB FOR THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE BEEN MAKING PAYMENTS AND PAYING FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE FOR THIS VEHICLE AS IT SITS BEHIND OUR HOUSE, NOT BEING DRIVEN. A QUICK SEARCH ON ANY SEARCH ENGINE, BRINGS UP HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF CASES OF THIS PARTICULAR CAR AND ENGINE FAILING AT THE 80,000 MILE MARK. DUE TO THE NATURE AND HISTORY OF THESE ENGINES, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND A USED ONE TO REPLACE THE FAILED ENGINE IN OUR CAR. WE HAVE HAD OUR NAMES LISTED WITH DEALERS AND SALVAGE YARDS AROUND THE REGION SINCE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ENGINE FAILURE. A NEW ENGINE COSTS $5,000 TO REPLACE PER ESTIMATES. THE CAR IS VALUED, WITH A WORKING ENGINE, AT LESS THAN $4000. REPLACEMENT COSTS AND THE AMOUNT OWING ON THE CAR, PUT US IN A POSITION THAT WE HAVE NO OPTIONS AT THIS POINT OTHER THAN TO LET IT SIT AND PAY IT OFF. *JB