NHTSA Complaint #10174692 — 2002 DODGE INTREPID

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER ( SHE WAS DRIVING MY CAR A 2002 DODGE INTREPID WITH 2.7 LITER ENGINE), AND WITH NO WARNING THE THERMOSTAT BEGAN TO RISE. IT WAS A CERTIFIED USED CAR AND I DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR UNTIL THIS OCCURRED. THE CAR BEGAN TO STEAM UNDER THE HOOD AND CUT OFF. MY DAUGHTER STEERED THE CAR OVER TO THE CURB OF A VERY NARROW STREET HOPING IT WOULD START. I CALLED A NEARBY GARAGE TO TAKE THE CAR THERE IF IT STARTED, AFTER THE ENGINE COOLED WE CREPT THE CAR TO THE GARAGE. MY DAUGHTER REMINDED ABOUT HER CHRYSLER SEBRING WITH THE 2.7 LITER DEFECTIVE ENGINE AND HOW IT STOPPED DEAD ON SHE AND HER HUSBAND AT NIGHT AT A GREEN LIGHT BECAUSE OF SLUDGE. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE GARAGE, THE OWNER LOOKED AT THE CAR AFTER IT COOLED. HE SAID THAT THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO GO AND THAT I NEED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE PEOPLE WHO I MADE IT TO HAVE THEM FIX IT OR TRADE IT. I ASKED IF THE PROBLEM WAS FROM ENGINE TAMPERING, AS I HAD TRIED TO TRADE IT EARLIER AT ANOTHER DEALER AND THE TECH SAID THAT THE ENGINE HAD BEEN TAMPERED WITH BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR AT KERNERSVILLE CHRYSLER DODGE. HE DID NOT KNOW, BUT THAT IN HIS OPINION SHORT OF THEM PUTTING IN A NEW ENGINE, THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. KERNERSVILLE CHRYSLER DODGE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND WOULD NOT TRADE THE CAR NOR OFFERED TO REPAIR IT. I AM A 65 YEAR OLD WOMAN WHO HAS HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY THIS YEAR AND DO NOT NEED THE AGGRAVATION. I AM PAYING FOR INSURANCE AND MAKING CAR PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT CANNOT BE USED AND SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. NEED THE STRESS. NO BODY WANTS THIS CAR AS A TRADE. IF I SELL IT MYSELF THE BANK SAID THEY WOULD STILL CONSIDER IT A REPO. CHRYSLER DODGE CAN HAVE THE CAR BACK, BUT I DO NOT THINK IT IS FAIR OR RIGHT FOR ME TO BE PENALIZED FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE ENGINE. THEY SHOULD TAKE THE CAR AND CALL IT EVEN. THE CHRYSLER DODGE COMPANY AND TIM MITCHELL AT KERNERSVILLE CHRYSLER DODGE SHOULD BE ASHAMED. *NM