NHTSA Complaint #10252868 — 2000 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO

MY CHEVY MONTE CARLO'S MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET ERODED AWAY LETTING THE ENGINE OIL AND COOLANT TO LEAK OUT. IT IS NOT A NEW CAR, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE OWNER SAID HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING, BUT DID OF COURSE, AND CONFIRMED THAT THE INTAKE GASKET WAS ERODED AWAY DUE TO ITS BEING PLASTIC INSTEAD OF THE METAL GASKET THAT SHOULD BE USED IN THE CHEVORLET V6 ENGINES. HE STATED THAT HE HAD REPLACED GASKET AFTER GASKET SINCE CHEVY HAD "CHEAPENED UP" THE ENGINES. I ASKED MANY OTHER REPAIRMEN AND THE DEALER AND IT WAS CONFIRMED. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN INDUSTRY PROBLEM, ACROSS THEIR ENGINEERING BOONDAGGLES WHICH HAVE BEEN PUT UPON THE PUBLIC. IT IS NOT A CHEAP FIX, UNLIKE THEIRS, AND COST ME AND MANY OTHERS $800-$1500 DOLLARS IN REPAIR BILLS. CHEVY HAS REFUSED TO HELP WITH THIS RAMPANT PROBLEM. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE SINCE IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND CERTAINLY IS NOT DUE TO ABUSE OF THE VEHICLE OR EVEN EXCESSIVE MILEAGE AND WEAR. MY CAR HAS 73000 MILES ON IT AND HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING BUT BE GOOD TO THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE SEARCHED MANY SITES IN ORDER FOR MY COMPLAINT TO BE REGISTERED. PLEASE ADVISE ME ABOUT ANY STEPS I CAN PURSUE TO MAKE CHEVY AND GM "UNDO" THE DEFECT THEY CREATED. THANK YOU. JAH *TR