NHTSA Complaint #10208562 — 2000 DODGE INTREPID

WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 DODGE INTREPID TO WORK ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, I NOTICED A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE ACCELERATOR NOT RESPONDING PROPERLY. THE ENGINE THEN STARTED BUCKING AND RACING WHILE I TRIED TO WRESTLE IT TO THE NEXT EXIT. THE CAR GOT AS FAR AS THE END OF THE EXIT RAMP BEFORE IT STOPPED RUNNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. LATER THAT DAY, I WAS INFORMED BY THE OWNER OF THE SHOP THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE, RESULTING IN BENT VALVES AND THE ENGINE NEEDING REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $4000!! I JUST FINISHED PAYING OFF THE VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER. WITH ONLY 69,000 MILES AND THE MANUFACTURERS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES ADHERED TO, THIS VEHICLE'S ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED THIS EARLY IN THE GAME. *TR