Stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home from work. Went inside and came back out and started the car. Car was sounding funny so I cut off, did it a second time and same results, did it a third time and it wouldn't start. Had it towed home then I had it towed to a mechanic's shop the next morning. Here is his diagnostics: " We found major internal damage to number four piston, (second cylinder on passenger side of engine) it had no compression and using a borescope, we looked into the cylinder and saw that the piston was broken and sticking up into the combustion chamber. The only way this is possible is if the rod or piston actually broken in half." "We recommend removal of the engine, tear down to determine if this engine can be repaired or if it will be required to replace the entire assembly. Best case scenario estimate is 3,000.00.... Worst case if it needs new motor, 5500.00"... Got regular oil changes, used fully synthetic oil only and just had an engine flush 2 months ago.... Don't understand why and how this happened....

I am a college student and I cant afford 8,000 dollars for a new motor! I was on my way to school when i stopped at a store, when i came out and started the engine it rattled like it was falling apart. Mechanic says valves dropped. My friendly local mechanic called the dodge dealership and before he could finish describing the problems the dealer told him exactly what the problem was. Dealer said nonchalantly "its a common problem". I only have 76,000 miles! Dodge knows their engines are defective. I've read many complaints about the same exact problem. I will never buy another Dodge or Chrysler again, and neither will anyone I know if I can help it. I'd rather drive an old Pinto because it seems to last longer than this vehicle. Anyone know a good class action lawyer?

I bought a 2006 Black Dodge Charger R/T, and yes with a 5.7l Hemi. I waited 39 years for all the parts to fall in place. i.e. the exact car, collar, leather interior, and the engine. With price and financing. In 1973, all I wanted was a 73 Charger RT....then a 440 Hemi. I was 12 years old. Now 39 yrs later, I got my car. as a retired disabled army veteran, my life has had many other priorities.

I bought this car June 25th, and had only owned it 3 weeks and 3 days, it was driving perfect, no noise, no lights and good power. I parked it at a department store, 30 min later I came out and tried to start it and it sounded like the engine was coming apart. I chose not to continue to start it, I could tell it was bad. I had it towed to my home and then the next morning to a Dodge dealer. 4 days later I was told I had blown a piston, and I had to have a new engine. The chose I was given was a used one for 5100.00 w/ a 1 year warranty or a brand new one, from Dodge w/ a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty.

Doesn't make since, it was sold as is from a dealer, but was checked and I never heard anything that would cause concern. The carfax report was perfect. All services has been done on time and from a Dodge dealer. I truly don't know what else I could have done. I just went from 4 vehicles to 1. I sold my truck, gave my Mazda to my daughter, all because I finally got my car and wanted to help someone else.

If Chrysler does see this, we need you to do something to assist us all. I have a 2008 Charger and I have had something about a valve door stuck open. Lucky for me it was cover under the lifetime power train, however the ignition computer or the key went bad and that cost me 302.64....

The only used car never to give me trouble was a foreign car...Mazda 6...

This is so screwed up that all I want to do is throw up. I can't afford this with my disability heck...

Shocked and dismayed, first of all I have really enjoyed driving this car and you wouldn’t believe what happened to me. I bought this car off the show room floor in 2006 and have not had one problem with this car. I stopped the other day to get my coffee on my way to work and went out to start my car and it made a funny sound and wouldn’t start. I had it towed to the nearest dealer and I got this terrible call telling me the engine is gone. They said it would take $7000. 00 to fix with a new engine, how could this be? No warning lights on the dash no oil leakage, nothing. I still owe on this car, what a disappointment. I really felt good that I had purchased an American product that I enjoyed driving so much. WOW, DISAPPOINTED

so the d.. tires outlasted the d.. motor . The car only has 48000 miles on it and it dropped a valve seat. And dodge wants us all to believe there is no manufacture defects and doesn't want to give us any help. They told me I had to take it to a dodge dealership to have it diagnosed at a cost of $1800 before considering to give any assistance .I TOLD THEM THE SMASHED SPARK PLUGS AND THE SMOKE COMING OUT THE EXAUST SAYS IT ALL. If anyone knows of anybody that has successfully obtained help from Chrysler with this problem, I'd like to hear about it.

its a beautiful sunny sunday, I'm driving listening to my music in my car. I press the gas pedal and my car just seized up on me. So i drive a little slower to try to make it to my destination and it totally cuts off in the middle of the street. Now the car doesn't start.

my transmission light and my engine light comes on. after 4 minutes of trying to start the car it finally cuts on. i take it to a mechanic to do a reading on the car and it read. ECM malfunction, and transmission control malfunction, mind you this is my second day after purchase. Honda of bowie thumbs down.

Just received a call from the dealer that I need a new longblock and intake manifold. Funny, it ran great when I went into the store, started car, quit, towed, and now a new motor? Then he had the balls to tell me my tie rod ends looked worn? WTF?? I'm out a engine and now I have a lawn ornament and this guy tells me my tires are wearing funny? He had no reports, compression reading nada. Just a new engine sir! Never trust dealers, getting another opinion will keep posted. By the way always professionally serviced never had a lick of trouble with this machine.

About 4 days ago my charger was running like a champ, no problems at all. I was heading back from a job interview, and when I started my car the check engine light went on. Knowing that it might be serious, I thought I would get it looked at ASAP but was not able to do it today. I picked my daughter up from the babysitters and headed for home. I was pulling out of traffic about 5 minutes away from my house when I noticed that my engine was loosing power after 3000 RPM's.The next day I thought I would take the car to Autozone to get the diagnostics checked. The car would not start? I called AAA to have them jump and could not get it started. The next day I called a buddy of mine (who happens to be a car buff) to help me troubleshoot. He was able to help me take the battery to Autozone and have a load put on it. Battery check out ok, and I knew after the car was almost 6 years old it must be the starter or alternator. In the 3.5L charger you cannot charge the starter unless you have a lift (you must lower the steering assembly). Not having the tools or the time, I had the car towed to the local mechanic. After a new starter was put in ($400), he started it up and noticed the car was seizing! Called me right away not knowing exactly what was wrong (he checked all fluids before he started the car). Just in case I wanted to take the car to the dealer to get an answer. The engine had seized up and cost is estimated at $4500 to $6200 for a new engine!!!! I have always gotten regularly scheduled oil changes and followed most of the recommended maintenance. I still owe money on the vehicle and am not sure of what to do???? Any help?

Update from Oct 3, 2012: I called Dodge, I called the dealership.... Dealership would give me $500 for the car Ha! Dodge wouldn't even give me the time of day. I would have expected a $500 towards a new vehicle. If there is a class action lawsuite Im in.

I picked up my husband from the airport and was driving home on the freeway when my car starts cutting out and running rough. The engine light flashed and then went off. We made it to the dealership where I purchased it only to find out that the valve seat came off went into my piston and up into my head. Total engine loss. They want 10k to replace with a rebuilt motor. I'm shocked, I loved this car and had never had issues. Of course regular oil changes and all. I'm pissed, no help and I owe money on it to boot. The only option is to rebuild which means I am without a car for a long time. I'm pissed and don't know what to do next.

Unbelievable. I have religiously taken this car in for oil changes & routine maintenance only for it to crap out on me out of the blue. 1.5 weeks ago, right before I pull into my work's parking lot, I heard a knocking sound and naturally I assumed it was the crappy '92 Chevy in front of me. Much to my surprise I found out it was my 2006 Charger! I nearly had a heart attack! Now I am told it will be at least $4600 because it needs a new engine, but not to worry as I am not the first person with a Dodge Charger with this complaint, or just a Dodge in general. There were no warning signs & I did NOT neglect anything on my car for this to happen. Since the day I drove this car off the lot I have nothing but problems!!! Dodge should be out of business.

I purchased my 2006 Dodge Charger 5.7 hemi with 26,000 miles on it. On 01/11/2011 after returning home from court, I parked my car in my driveway. I then went back outside 5 minutes later to leave again and when I started my car up without warning no prior problems, the engine started knocking and then would not stay running. I am pretty sure it dropped a valve and put a hole in the piston. It is now knocking and blue oil smoke is coming out of my exhaust. The engine is junk and I am now out of a vehicle to drive to work. My job is a police officer and this is putting a major strain on my job and my family life. I cant believe my engine blew up with only 55,000. I have always taken care of my vehicle. I did some research on the internet and found dodge has been having a lot of problems with the valve springs breaking and the valves dropping. Also I have read the rocker arms have a malfunction when machined and are breaking in half. If this truly a problem the dodge needs to fix the issue. I know nobody cares that my car is blown up and I am going to be out a lot of money to get it fixed but if dodge is really trying to take of their customers then they need to fix the issue. Any feed back will be helpful.