NHTSA Complaint #714943 — 1997 DODGE INTREPID

THE PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM IS RELATED TO THE WATER PUMP, SPECIFICALLY THE O RING SEAL. MY VEHICLE HAS OVERHEATED ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. EACH TIME, I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS SOON AS I NOTICED THE TEMP NEEDLE IN THE RED OR THE IDIOT LIGHT ILLUMINATING. ONCE COOLED DOWN, I REFILLED THE COOLANT RESEVOIR AND WENT ALONG MY WAY. EACH TIME, I VERIFIED OPERATION OF THE THERMOSTAT AND THE CONDITION OF THE HOSES. IT'S FINALLY BEEN NARROWED TO A BAD O RING SEAL. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT LATENT HEAT DAMAGE INTERNAL TO THE ENGINE. THE WINDOW SEAL PROBLEM IS VERY IRRITATING. THE WIND NOISE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH IS OBNOXIOUS. I'VE HAD IT CHECKED, BUT NOTHING WAS EVER DONE UNDER THE WARRANTY (TO MY KNOWLEDGE). THE WINDOW LOCK PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DISLOCATED SPRING LOCK. I REPAIRED IT MYSELF BY REPOSITIONING THE SPRING AND REINSTALLING THE ASSEMBLY. FINALLY, THE WEATHER SEAL PROBLEM IS WORRISOME TO SAY THE LEAST. THERE IS A MUSTY SMELL INDICIATIVE OF A WATER LEAK WITHIN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NOT FOUND IT YET AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MOLD/MILDEW/RUST DAMAGE TO THE ENTRY AND POOLING SITES. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO ANY RECALLS/SERVICE BULLETINS THAT APPLY TO THESE PROBLEMS. THANKS.