NHTSA Complaint #10181493 — 1999 DODGE INTREPID

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN 2002. AFTER A MINOR ACCIDENT AND REPAIR AT THE BODY SHOP, THE ENGINE FAILED ON A BUSY FOUR LANE ROAD WITH THREE OF US IN THE VEHICLE, ONE OF WHICH WAS OUR TWO YEAR OLD SON. AFTER CALLING MECHANICS AND DODGE SERVICE SHOPS, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED REPLACED, AND THE COST WOULD BE ANYWHERE FROM 1500 TO 2500 DOLLARS. WE PAID FOR AND MY HUSBAND REPLACED ALMOST THE ENTIRE TOP HALF OF THEN ENGINE. THIS HAS TAKEN A VERY LONG TIME, AS PARTS ARE EXPENSIVE, AND TIME TO WORK ON THE CAR IS LIMITED. AFTER FINALLY GETTING THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE ENGINE AGAIN FAILED. THIS TIME IT WAS ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHILE WE WERE IN THE LEFT LANE. WE ONLY BARELY MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR OFF THE ROAD BEFORE BEING HIT BY THE SEMI'S ON THE ROAD. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED HOME, NOW THE ENGINE IS SHOT AGAIN, AND THE ESTIMATED DIY COST FOR US IS MORE THAN $2000. WE STILL OWE THAT MUCH ON THE CAR. *NM