NHTSA Complaint #10147268 — 1999 DODGE INTREPID

WE HAVE A 1999 DODGE INTREPID THAT BEGAN TO HAVE EXHAUST SMOKE. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED CHANGING OIL TO HAVOLINE 10W-40 MAX. WE DID SO. THE CAR CONTINUED TO HAVE A SMOKING EXHAUST. WE HAVE REGULARLY CHANGED THE OIL BEFORE THE 3 THOUSAND MILE MARK. WE HAD ABOUT ONE THOUSAND MILES FROM THE LAST OIL CHANGE. WE HAVE USED REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGES IN THE PAST. APPROXIMATELY 130 MILES INTO A TRIP WITH THE CAR SET IN CRUISE CONTROL BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE, SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE RPM'S SHOOT UP TO ABOUT 6 THOUSAND, THE CAR LOST POWER AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE INCIDENT WAS ON A RATHER BUSY HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. THE MOTOR HAD ESSENTIALLY FROZE, AND LOST OIL AS NO OR LITTLE OIL WAS ON THE OIL STICK. THE CAR IS ON A TRAILER AWAITING TO GO TO A LOCAL AUTO SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE DODGE INTREPID WAS A GREAT CAR TO DRIVE, AND WE HAD EXCELLENT GASOLINE MILEAGE. THE ABRUPT FAILURE OF THE ENGINE TO PERFORM ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IS A FOREBEARER OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS FOR THE 2.7L ENGINE, AND ITS PASSENGERS.