NHTSA Complaint #10141649 — 2002 DODGE INTREPID

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THE CAR QUICKLY OVERHEATED. SHE IMMEDIATELY PULLED VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED IT OFF. SHE WAS LEFT STRANDED OVER 25 MILES FROM OUR HOME ON FOOT. LATER THAT DAY AFTER IT HAD COOLED DOWN I ADDED COOLANT AND DROVE IT ABOUT 2 MILES TO A SMALL REPAIR SHOP. THEY ADVISED ME THAT EITHER THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN OR THE BLOCK WAS CRACKED. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. THEY ADVISED ME MY MOTOR WAS BLOWN AS A RESULT OF OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP. THEY CONCLUDED THIS AFTER REMOVING ONLY THE VALVE COVER ON ONE SIDE. BEFORE ASKING ME FOR EITHER A MAINTENANCE LOG OR OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS I WAS INFORMED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO OWNER NEGLECT. WHEN I PROTESTED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER I WAS ASKED TO PRODUCE RECEIPTS. UPON SEEING THAT THERE WAS A 4000 MILE LAPSE BETWEEN OIL CHANGES WARRANTY COVERAGE WAS DENIED. I WAS EVEN CHARGED $225 TO EXAMINE MY CAR TO DENY WARRANTY COVERAGE. I HAVE REPEATEDLY REQUEST THAT THE CHRYSLER ZONE MANAGER BE PUT IN TOUCH WITH ME TO NO AVAIL. MY CAR SITS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE STILL COMPLETELY DISABLED AS I CONTINUE TO MAKE PAYMENTS. *NM