TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER CONCORDE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING FAILED. SOMEONE HAD TO ASSIST HER WITH STEERING THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE POLICE WAS CALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY ENGINE FAILURE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE AUTO SHOP STATED THAT ENGINE SLUDGE COATED THE ENGINE. IT WOULD COST $5,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS DIFFICULT TO UNFASTEN AND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HAD TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. UPDATED 02/26/09. *JB
1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE NOISE. SHUT DOWN & TOWED TO SHOP. DURING DIAGNOSIS NOISE GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER & TIMING CHAIN JUMPED. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS 59,000 MILES & WAS ALWAYS WELL MAINTAINED. MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS TURNED UP MANY CHRYSLER & DODGE 2.7 LITRE ENGINES FROM 1998 TO 2002 WITH THE SAME LOW MILEAGE FAILURES. CHRYSLER CORP. BLAMES IT ON LACK OF MAINTENANCE, BUT THAT'S HARD TO BELIEVE WITH SO MANY IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS. *JB