Ditlow Urges Chrysler Recall

The Center for Auto Safety is the nation’s premier independent, member driven, non-profit consumer advocacy organization dedicated to improving vehicle safety, quality, and fuel economy on behalf of all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

By Harry Stoffer
Automotive News / January 10, 2005

WASHINGTON — A consumer advocate wants the Chrysler group to extend warranties on hundreds of thousands of engines that he contends are prone to fail because of sludge buildup.

The engines are 2.7-liter V-6s, most of them in 1998-2002 Dodge and Chrysler cars.

Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, said the company should not merely try to settle with a few of the 500-plus people who have complained. Ditlow said such an approach could be construed as a secret warranty, and noted that some states have laws against secret warranties.

The company maintains that the engine is not defective.