NHTSA Complaint #10135335 — 2000 DODGE INTREPID

HI. MY 2000 DODGE INTREPID BLEW ITS ENGINE WHILE DRIVING IT. IT HAD UNDER 80,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD BEEN PERFECTLY MAINTAINED. IT HAS THE 2.7 LITRE ENGINE IN IT THAT I NOW SEE ON THE WEB IS FULL OF DEFECTS. I OWE $8,000 ON A VEHICLE I CAN'T DRIVE, TRADE IN, OR EVEN JUNK! SINCE THE LENDER STILL "OWNS" THE VEHICLE, I DON'T HAVE THE OPTION OF GETTING RID OF IT. THERE ARE SO MANY OF US THAT HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND CHRYSLER IS UNWILLING TO HELP. FOR THAT MATTER, THEY DON'T EVEN RESPOND! THE DEALERSHIP BLAMES CHRYSLER BUT DOES NOTHING. THEY STATE THAT PERHAPS THERE WEREN'T ENOUGH OIL CHANGES (EVEN THOUGH WE CAN DOCUMENT EVERY OIL CHANGE PERFORMED AT 3,000 MILES). USED AUTO PARTS SHOPS CANNOT KEEP THE 2.7 LITRE ENGINE IN STOCK SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY FOLKS IN MY POSITION DESPERATE TO GET THEIR INTREPID FIXED. MECHANICS ADVISE THAT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE WHATSOEVER THAT PUTTING A USED 2.7 (OR A BRAND NEW ONE) WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE NEXT 2.7 COULD BE EVERY BIT AS DEFECTIVE. ALSO WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE A SHORT TIME BEFORE THE ENGINE BLEW, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP CAUSING US TO SWERVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS WAS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY OCCURRENCE. $1,800 FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT WE'RE STILL PAYING OFF TO REPAIR THAT LITTLE PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP!! THANKS. LEO CUNNINGHAM WEST SENECA, NY 716 821-9586. *JB