NHTSA Complaint #721605 — 1992 DODGE CARAVAN

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN WE FELT A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND AN UNUSUALLY ROUGH ENGINE OPERATION WHICH SEEMED TO COME ALL OF A SUDDEN. WE DROVE THE DISABLED VEHICLE TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE ROCKER ARM SHAFT SUPPORT TOWER HAD BROKEN OFF AT THE BASE. THE HEAD WAS ALUMINUM. THE TOWER WAS CAST INTO THE THE HEAD. THROUGH NO FAULT OF OURS THIS CONDITION HAPPENED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. MY MECHANIC INDICATED THAT HIS ENGINE REBUILDER SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN MANY ALUMINUM DODGE GRAND CARABVAN ENGINES WITH THIS BROKEN TOWER CONDITION OVER THE YEARS. WHEN I APPROACHED THE SERVICE REPAIR MANAGER AT CHRYSLER/PLYMOUTH, HE STATED THAT HE HAS NEVER HEARD OR SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE FOR THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. WHEN I CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICEM, THEY STATED CHRYSLER WILL NOT REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT A WARRANTEE. I NEED ALL THE HELP I CAN GET TO SEE IF I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS SUFFERED A $1666 REPAIR BILL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WHICH I AM TOLD IS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. YOUR ASSISTANCE IN SUPPLYING US WITH ANY INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT IS WELCOME. *AK