They used a cheap thrust bearing in the crankshaft to save money while making a car they sold for $20,000+. The bearing is f**d. To replace it, I will have to remove the entire crankshaft and basically rebuild the engine. The car doesn't even have 6 digits on the odometer yet. I thought the oil seal failed because oil was pouring out of that hole, but it just popped out because the bearing isn't doing it's job. I didn't even know anything was wrong until I smelled burning oil while sitting in a parking lot. I was running it for maybe 20 miles with almost no oil before I knew anything was wrong. This doesn't just affect this car. If you're considering buying a Chrysler or Dodge before 2007, open the hood. If you see a 2.4L straight 4 DOHC engine, run away screaming. Avoid it like the plague.
They used a cheap thrust bearing in the crankshaft to save money while making a car they sold for $20,000+. The bearing is f**d. To replace it, I will have to remove the entire crankshaft and basically rebuild the engine. The car doesn't even have 6 digits on the odometer yet. I thought the oil seal failed because oil was pouring out of that hole, but it just popped out because the bearing isn't doing it's job. I didn't even know anything was wrong until I smelled burning oil while sitting in a parking lot. I was running it for maybe 20 miles with almost no oil before I knew anything was wrong. This doesn't just affect this car. If you're considering buying a Chrysler or Dodge before 2007, open the hood. If you see a 2.4L straight 4 DOHC engine, run away screaming. Avoid it like the plague.
- Ben G., San Antonio, TX, US