Chrysler Concorde overheating problems

Filed Sep 12, 2009 · Electrical, Engine · 115,000 miles · IL

I've had a 1996 chrysler concorde lx for about 1 yr. It has always had problems when I put the key in the ignition 99% of the time I have to keep turning the key until it turns on, if it even does, and a few months ago everytime my car does turn on, all the interior lights stay on while driving and the door locks keep going up and down. It hasn't been drivable for at least 2 months now. Replaced relays, fuses, starter, alternator, battery! I even took it to a shop which the manager is a family friend, he had it for 2 wks. Ran a full diagnostic and also the battery which is new and have exchanged several times will not hold a charge. It has new battery ground cable new cable from alternator to starter connection, new spark plugs and wires and still has all these problems. And now if the car will turn on the ABS light comes on. Car was overheating and it now has a new thermostat. This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned! And now the power steering pump has begun leaking. And a few times I have noticed the gears shift. The most frightening thing is when it does start, it will drive good for about 2 blocks and then, it just totally shuts down with no warning lights or signs prior to shutting down. I am a disabled individual and am so stressed out because it is literally undrivable. After I bought this car the 1st thing I noticed after about a week was the problem when turning the key in ignition over and over again till it would finally start. Sometimes I would sit in the car 15 minutes before it would start. I'm surprised I haven't heard anyone else mention this problem. I have a lemon and don't know what to do. I've missed dr. Appts. And also my son is disabled and we're just having the most terrible time with no reliable transportation. Can u please post if any of these issues are some of chryslers unreported defects or recalls. Please help!

Filed Mar 13, 2009 · Engine · 87,000 miles · NJ

Hi my 200 chrysler concord , stalled in the middle of highway , mechanic said overheating /sludge in engine caused it to fail , almost got hit on us route !&9 .almost cost me my life in rush hour traffic in the middle lane . My mechanic said this car is the worst engine he,s seen in his 25 years of working on cars . I today contacted chrysler they wont do nothing for my car said out of warranty . I've done some research on net and found class action suits being filed all over against chrysler for this 2.7 engine failure .

Filed Dec 20, 2007 · Engine · 95,000 miles · VA

I had a 2001 chrysler concorde with a 2.7l engine. I serviced it every 3,000 miles and never had a problem. Then one day, at 95,000 miles, I was driving it and the thermostat shot to overheating. I pulled over, had a service station look at it, and they said it was something a dealer needed to look at. I had it towed to a dealer and they said the 'engine block was cracked, that coolant and oil mixed and got sludge in the engine and the engine was shot.' at 95,000 miles it would cost me more to fix then the car was worth, so I had to buy a new car. Someone told me there were thousands of this exact problem with this chrysler engine and chrysler told me there was no recall and nothing I could do. I searched the web and found a lot of articles about how big a problem this is and how many cars it has affected, and suggested owners report this to you. Someone needs to make chrysler do something about this. While in my case it didn't result in an accident (it almost did when my car died on the road), and the car didn't catch on fire, do people have to die or cars catch on fire before chrysler is made to be accountable for an obvious engine flaw? I would appreciate any help or guidance you can give on what recourse I have and should pursue. Bob bladel ashburn, va

Filed Nov 21, 2007 · Engine · 88,000 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chrysler concorde. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle jerked and then shut off without warning. Approximately ten minutes later, the contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, it shut off again. The dealer stated that a defective part in the engine caused the vehicle to overheat. The dealer repaired the vehicle, but the failure continued. As of november 21, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 88,000 and current mileage was 90,000.

Filed Nov 9, 2007 · Engine · 81,900 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chrysler concorde. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle overheated and was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the thermostat and radiator cap caused the failure. The mechanic replaced the parts; however, the failure continued. The dealer stated that the head gasket failed. As of november 9, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 81,900 and current mileage was 82,224.

Filed May 24, 2007 · Engine · 70,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chrysler concorde. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle fails to start occasionally. The dealer performed a tune-up on the vehicle. Approximately three weeks later, the vehicle began to overheat. The mechanic stated that the vehicle needed a transmission flush, belts, and a new water pump and performed the repair. Approximately two days later, the engine completely failed without warning. The mechanic stated that the engine was blown, but was unable to determine the cause of failure. The current mileage is 75,000 and failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Jul 23, 2006 · Engine · 105,566 miles · IL

Driving on i90, 2001 chrysler concorde started loosing power, engine made a noise and started smoking and overheating and died. Towed to mechanic, engine failed due to oil sludge. Filed complaint with the center for auto safety and claim with isg.

Filed Mar 14, 2006 · Engine · 89,500 miles · PA

Have had trouble with the 2.7 liter engine in my 99 concorde, sludging, excessive oil consumption, coolant loss and premature engine failure. Despite regular oil changes the engine would sludge up and cause tapping noises. Had the problem dealt with once in 2003 at area dealership under the extended warranty, at that time the dealer tried to charge me for the repairs stating it was lack of maintenance that caused the problem. Eventually they assumed responsibility and repaired the vehicle. Since then I have changed oil regularly as I had before and the problem of oil consumption persisted. I just added oil and coolant as needed between regular changes at the rate of approximately 2 quarts oil per month and 1 gallon of coolant per month. While driving home from work the engine very abruptly started to clack so I pulled over and had it towed to my regular repair facility, where I was informed the engine was no longer usable due to oil sludging and lack of oil circulation. Contacted chrysler corp. They instructed me to take it to the dealer that originally repaired it and they would make a determination after the dealer inspected it . This is the same dealer that tried to blame me for the original problem. Have researched this problem and have discovered this to be a rampant problem with this engine and that chrysler denies any responsibility. There are numerous web sites detailing the problems consumers are having with this engine and their stymied efforts to have chrysler deal with them fairly. When I called the federal safety agency they stated they had no complaints, I hope this one will prompt a further investigation.

Filed Nov 27, 2005 · Engine · 95,500 miles · NY

I am the unfortunate owner of a 2001 chrysler concorde with a burned out 2.7 liter engine, the same one you are investigating on this web site. I was driving to work on the morning of 7/25/05 on the northbound i90 expressway on grand island, n.y. Traveling at approx. 60 MPH when the engine temperature indicated an engine overheating condition and began to shut down. I was fortunate to have good driving skills as this catastrophic engine failure shut down all power accessories on the vehicle. I had no power steering or power brakes at this point and was fortunate to be at the whitehaven rd. Exit. With much difficulty I was able to shift the car into neutral and coast onto the exit ramp and parked the concorde on the shoulder of the road. Attempts to restart produced a grating metal on metal sound and I new the engine was shot. The same day I called around for the best price on the cost of an engine replacement and decided my best option was not to go to a chrysler dealer as they do not honor any warranty for replacement of this engine and opted to have aaa deliver the car to my local garage for an engine replacement. It is now 11/27/2005 and I am unable to find an affordable engine replacement and still paying insurance and loan payments on the vehicle(I still owe $4.5k). My engine failed at 95k miles and I am told that this one of the better 2.7 liter engines, nonetheless I am stuck paying for a dead horse.

Filed Dec 29, 2004 · Transmission · 87,000 miles · IL

The transmission was making a popping noise while changing gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice for repairs but the problem recurred. *ak there was overheating and the power brake was delayed.