NHTSA Complaint #10148305 — 2000 DODGE INTREPID

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINE THAT JUST TURNED 73,000 MILES LAST WEEK. ON 1/18/06 WAS RUNNING ERRANDS WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND APPROXIMATELY 20 SECONDS LATER THE CAR SHUT DOWN. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. I CALLED AAA TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO LET THEM KNOW IT WAS ON ITS WAY IN. THE SERVICE REP. AT THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ON THURSDAY MORNING FOR APPROVAL TO REPLACE (2) SENSORS IN THE ENGINE (ONE DEALING WITH THE CRANK SHAFT) BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN GET THE CAR STARTED TO DETERMINE WHAT THE ENGINE NOISE WAS. I GAVE THE OKAY FOR THE $322.00 SENSORS TO BE INSTALLED AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME LATER. THE SERVICE REP. DID CALL A SHORT WHILE LATER AND SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND THAT THE COST WOULD BE $5,300.00 PLUS TAX (THIS INCLUDES THE TWO SENSORS)! I ASKED THE REP. THAT IF I HAD GOTTEN THE CAR IN SOONER IF I COULD HAVE AVOIDED THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHAIN OR TOOTH OR SOMETHING COULD HAVE SHIFTED OR BROKEN INSIDE THE ENGINE AND THAT THE SMALL PIECES OF METAL CIRCULATING INSIDE WOULD HAVE CAUSED IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE IN 12-15 MILES SO THAT THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE. WHEN ASKED IF THIS WAS NORMAL FOR A CAR WELL MAINTAINED AND WITH 73,000 MILES ON IT, THE SERVICE REP. TOLD ME NO. MY HUSBAND CALLED THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP ON THURSDAY AND ASKED IF ANYTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT THE PRICE. THE OWNER TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT HE WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND GET BACK TO HIM. ON FRIDAY THE OWNER CALLED AND INFORMED MY HUSBAND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO LOCALLY (AFTER 50,000 MILES THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED) AND GAVE HIM A 1-800 NUMBER TO CALL THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER. I HAVE RECORDS OF EVERY SERVICE PERFORMED ON THIS CAR. THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES AND ALL MAINTENANCE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF NEW TIRE INSTALLATION) HAS BEEN PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP. *JB