NHTSA Complaint #10197576 — 2002 DODGE INTREPID

I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 2.7-LITER ENGINE IN JULY OF 2005 FROM HOLLEY DODGE IN MIDDLETOWN, CT FOR $9,500. THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME HAD 48,000 MILES ON IT. IN JULY OF 2007 (AT 78,000 MILES) I EXPERIENCED ENGINE PROBLEMS AND, AFTER BRINGING IT BACK TO HOLLEY DODGE FOR SERVICE, WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAD LOW COMPRESSION AND WAS OFFERED REPAIR OPTIONS OF: 1) TEARING DOWN THE MOTOR WHICH WOULD COST AT LEAST $2,500 DEPENDING UPON WHAT IS FOUND; 2) A REBUILT MOTOR FOR $3,500+; OR 3) A NEW MOTOR FOR $4,500+. THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE COST (36,000 MILES/3 YEARS). I HAD MAINTAIN THE CARE CAREFULLY, CHANGING THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILE WHICH IS MORE FREQUENT THAN RECOMMENDED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS MATTER, I DISCOVERED A VAST AMOUNT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS NUMEROUS WEB SITES DEVOTED TO THIS 2.7-LITER DAIMLERCHRYSLER ENGINE PROBLEM. EXPERTS BELIEVE THE ENGINE PROBLEMS MAY BE DUE TO ENGINE DEFECTS OR OIL SLUDGE BUILD-UP THAT IS COMMON IN 2.7L VEHICLES. I HAVE READ THAT THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY HAS RECEIVED FIVE TIMES MORE OIL SLUDGE COMPLAINTS ON CHRYSLER 2.7L VEHICLES THAN OTHER VEHICLES. APPARENTLY THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVE QUITE A FEW DODGE AND CHRYSLER VEHICLES FROM 1998 TO PRESENT. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER IS VIOLATING CONSUMER RIGHTS UNDER LEMON LAWS OR OTHER CONSUMER-PROTECTION LAWS. CAN YOU ADVISE ME? THANKS, MIKE VENESKI *TR