NHTSA Complaint #10135287 — 2000 DODGE INTREPID

FIRST THE OIL LIGHT FLASHED. THEN THE LIGHT BECAME A CONSTANT. I WAS HEADING BACK HOME WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT THE CAR DIED WITHOUT A SOUND. IT KEPT SHUTTING OFF AT THE LIGHTS. I NEVER MADE IT HOME. I MADE IT TO A PARKING LOT, THIS BECAME ALL TO FAMILIAR TO ME, ( I HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS BEFORE WITH THIS CAR DUE TO SLUDGE, BUT IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I HAD KEPT UP WITH MY MAINTENANCE AFTER A LONG INVESTIGATION AND WAS FIXED) I KNEW I NEEDED TO GET A TOW TRUCK. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO SOUTH CHICAGO DODGE IN CHICAGO,IL. AFTER THEIR INITIAL INSPECTION,THE COST WAS ALREADY AT $2417, IT WOULD COST ME $360 DEFINITE LABOR JUST TO CONTINUE THE INSPECTION TO DETERMINE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS (THIS COST WAS JUST TO TAKE THE PART APART, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $360 AGAIN TO HAVE IT PUT BACK TOGETHER. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. A LONG STORY, SHORT I AM NOW STUCK WITH A CAR THAT I HAVE THREE MORE PAYMENTS ON AND IS INOPERABLE. I WAS ADVISED THAT I COULD GET A USED ENGINE, BUT THAT ONLY CAME WITH A 12 MONTH WARRANTY, OR I COULD GET A RE-MANUFACTURED ENGINE W/3 YEAR WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THEY BOTH COST TOO MUCH. I HAVE READ THAT CHRYSLER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE, THIS IS A BIG COVER-UP. THEY KNOW, OR THEY ARE JUST NOT INTERESTED IN A GOOD CUSTOMER PRODUCT. I KNOW ABOUT ISO STANDARDS AND THE BIG 3 AUTOMOBILE REGULATORS, MY QUESTION IS HOW DID THIS ENGINE MEET REGULATIONS? WHAT AUDITOR LET SOMETHING LIKE A ENGINE WITH FAULTY VALVES GET PRODUCED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I BOUGHT MY CAR IN GOOD FAITH AND THE SAME WAS NOT DELIVERED. YET CHRYSLER CAN CONTINUE TO PRODUCE EXPENSIVE COMMERCIALS WITH MR. IOCOLA AND SNOOP DOGG ETC. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ATTENDED TO. AMERICANS WHO BUY AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS, SHOULD RECEIVE A PRODUCT THEY CAN TRUST. I HAVE TO BORROW CARS OR TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. IF THEY DO NOT WANT TO RECALL THE ENGINE THEN THEY NEED TO PROVIDE A LIFETIME VEHICLE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE SO WE CAN AT LEAST GET IT FIXED. *JB