NHTSA Complaint #10181962 — 2002 DODGE INTREPID

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DROVE THE 2002 DODGE INTREPID TO WORK ON 01/24/07. AT THE END OF THE DAY HE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE TURNED OVER, BUT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T START. THE NEXT DAY HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT DID START. HE STATED THAT HE LET THE VEHICLE RUN FOR A WHILE AND HEARD A TAPPING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND DIDN'T RESTART IT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2 WEEKS PRIOR HE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR THE 3,000 MILES OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TECHNICAL TUNE UP IN CHICAGO. THE SERVICE MECHANIC DID A DIAGNOSIS, AND TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR HAD FAILED, THE BATTERY WAS LOW AND THE SPARK PLUGS WERE WORN. THE CONTACT HAD THE SENSOR , THE BATTERY AND THE SPARK PLUGS REPLACED. SHORTLY THERE AFTER, THE TAPPING NOISE STARTED AGAIN. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC SHOP, AND HE INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS ENGINE HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD FOUND REPORTS ON LINE THAT OTHER OWNERS FILED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES, AND CHRYSLER STATED THAT THE OWNERS WERE NEGLIGENT WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THESE REPORTS SHOWED THAT SLUDGE BUILD UP WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE.. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 80000.*AK