Read this and look at the numbers involved . Now consider the toyota numbers . See what I mean ?
DAIMLERCHRYSLER
October 15,2004 DaimlerChlysler Corporation
Clarence Ditlow
Lindsay Holden
Center for Auto Safety
1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 330
Washington, DC 20009-5708
Dear Mr. Ditlow and Ms. Holden:
I am writing in response to your letter of August 26,2004, regarding model year 1998-
2002 Dodge Stratus, Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde, and Chrysler Sebring vehicles
with 2.7-liter V-6 engines. In your letter you describe various reports that the Center for
Auto Safety has received in which consumers stated that the engmes in these vehicles
have failed due to oil sludge. Specifically, you list
92 reports from consumers who
reported to you that their vehicle had experienced an engine failure. The reports indicate
that the vehicle mileage at the time of the reported failures ranges fkom as few as 18,000
miles to as much as 180,000 miles. You request that DaimlerChrysler Corporation take
various actions including adoption of an extended warranty to remedy purported
“engineering mistakes” that allegedly cause oil sludge in, and the eventual failure of, 2.7-
liter V6 engines.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation appreciates your sharing the comments you have received
from consumers regarding their experiences with these vehicles. It is DaimlerChrysler
Corporation’s policy to evaluate and address specific consumer concerns on an individual
basis due to each consumer’s unique circumstances. The failure of an engine due to oil
sludge is not necessarily indicative of an “engineering mistake.” Oil sludge in engines
can result from a variety of factors, including a consumer’s failure to follow
recommended maintenance fiom the time of purchase forward.
Damage caused by poor maintenance in a vehicle's early life often cannot be
remedied by proper maintenance during the vehicles later life .
In fact , such early maintenance neglect is most likely to lead to premature
engine failure down the line . In addition, DaimlerChrysler Corporation
takes exception with to the characterization of this type of engine failure caused by the
build up of oil sludge as a potential vehicle safety defect. It has been established that
such an event will only manifest itself as a result of improper maintenance, and after
considerable warning, allowing the operator to safely move the vehicle out of traffic in
such cases.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation records indicate that more than
1,070,000 model year 1998-
2002 Dodge Stratus, Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde, and Chrysler Sebring vehicles
with 2.7-liter V6 engir,es have been distributed. The
92 complaints referenced in your
letter constitute a very small fraction of these vehicles.
The wide variation in mileage for the reported engine failures, coupled with the limited
number of complaints, strongly suggests that individualized circumstances are a principal
contributing factor to the reported engine failures. While you indicate that many of these
consumers reported to you that they had followed recommended maintenance schedules,
a majority of the 92 complainants referenced in your letter purchased their vehicles
used .
These purchasers inherited their vehicles’ maintenance histories, perhaps without
sufficient knowledge, information or documentation of previous maintenance and
service. In addition, even the reports you reference in your letter indicate that several
consumers drove their vehicles for many years and for more than the expected vehcle
life as defined in many states before suffering any engine failure, G, Raenette
CrislerkIawkins (104,000 miles), Cheryl Huffmes (124,000 miles), and Phllip Johnson
(180,000 miles). Such extended usage before experiencing any engine failure supports
our conclusion that it is individual vehicle issues, including maintenance practices
throughout the vehicle’s life, instead of an “engineering mistake,” which has resulted in
the reported engine failures at lower mileages.
As the reports made to the Center for Auto Safety indicate, consumer experiences with
2.7-liter V-6 engines vary widely. And, because consumer use patterns and lack of
attention to routine maintenance (including by previous owners) can be the underlying
cause of sludge buildup and eventual engine failure, consumer complaints must be
considered on a case-by-case basis to ensure fairness to both the consumer and
DaimlerChrysler Corporation. Because consumer satisfaction is DaimlerChrysler
Corporation’s priority, we will review again the complaints of the consumers you shared
with us. Please ask them to contact DaimlerChrysler Corporation at 1-800-992-1997 and
we will do our best to review each case and reach a reasonable resolution.
Thank you for your interest in this matter.
Sincerely, Albert P. Motta
Customer Advocate Manager
A Company of the DaimlerChryskr Gmup
Daimlerchrysler Corporation
800 Chwler Drive
Auburn Hills MI USA 483262757
http://www.autosafety.org/uploads/phpZ00Pmh_Chrysler2.7Response.pdf
The CHRYSLER 2.7L
DOES NOT belong in the same group as the toyota engines .
Any formatting and spelling errors are mine and not Chryslers .
