NHTSA Complaint #10133186 — 2001 DODGE INTREPID

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. WHEN THE CONSUMER LIFTED THE HOOD HE COULD SEE SMOKE AND A SMALL FIRE COMING FROM A PIECE OF WIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH A TOWEL. ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID ALL THEY DID WAS TO TURN THE ENGINE LIGHT OFF. AFTER THE ENGINE HAD TIME TO COOL OFF HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE HOME. THIS WAS ON 8-7-05. ON 8-8-05 TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE WATER PUMP BURSTED. ALSO, THEY A TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS WATER AND OIL MIXED IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER IMPLIED THAT THE ENGINE MIGHT HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY HAD HIM ON HOLD WHILE THEY TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP. SHE TOLD HIM THE SAME INFORMATION THAT THEY DID. THE CONSUMER FOUND ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2.7 LITER MOTOR. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP WAS THE ONE THAT DID THE REPAIRS. *AK