NHTSA Complaint #10174143 — 1999 DODGE INTREPID

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE..IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT NOTICE. MY 4YR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR WERE LOST, I ALMOST GOT INTO A WRECK WHILE TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO IN RETURN TOLD ME THAT MY MOTOR WAS TRASH, AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES EVERY TIME AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER, WHOM I KNEW VERY WELL, TOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF THE CAR AS WELL. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE PISTONS BLEW DUE TO BUILD UP OF ENGINE SLUDGE, AND THAT THE MOTOR WAS NOT WORTH FIXING, AND THAT I SHOULD BUY A REBUILT OR NEW MOTOR. I BEGAN TO RESEARCH THIS DATA ON THE INTERNET WHEN I CAME ACROSS YOUR WEBSITE AND MANY MORE LIKE IT. I QUICKLY BECAME INFURIATED WITH THE DODGE COMPANY, AS THEY ARE AWARE OF THEIR FAULTY ENGINES, YET THEY CONTINUE TO BLAME THE CONSUMER AND REFUSE TO RECALL THESE MOTORS. MY DAUGHTER AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED HAD WE BEEN TRAVELING MUCH FASTER OR BEEN IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION, SUCH AS TRAIN TRACKS NEAR OUR HOUSE. THIS IS COMPLETELY ABSURD, DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM,YET REFUSE TO BACK THEIR PRODUCTS. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE OR CHRYSLER PRODUCT AGAIN, AND I WILL NOT LET ANY FRIENDS, FAMILY, OR ANYONE ELSE READING THIS DO SO EITHER. IF YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE PRODUCING JUNK MOTORS, SHOULDN'T YOU PROVIDE YOUR CONSUMERS WITH THE RESPECT TO WARN THEM OF THE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS THAT AWAIT THEM. IF THERE ARE DEATHS BECAUSE OF THIS, CAN YOU REALLY GET AN HONEST NIGHTS REST??? I HAVE LOST ALL RESPECT FOR DODGE THAT I ONCE HAD. I NOW HAVE A CAR SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY THAT IS WORTHLESS AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE I CAN'T INVEST 4-8K INTO THE CAR FOR THE NEW ENGINE NEEDED...WHY BOTHER ANYWAY WHEN THAT MOTOR WOULD DO THE EXACT SAME THING IN A MATTER OF TIME..BECAUSE IT IS ABSOLUTE JUNK. *JB