NHTSA ID Number: 11729971
Incident Date: 2026-04-01
Manufacturer's Name: Chrysler
(FCA US, LLC)
Vehicle/Equipment Make: DODGE
Vehicle/Equipment Model: CHARGER
Model Year: 2007
9999 If Unknown Or N/A
Vehicle Identification Number: 2B3LK53H47H
Vehicle Mileage At Failure:
Vehicle Speed:
Number Of Occurrences:
Was Vehicle Towed: No
Consumer Location: Erie, PA
Summary of Complaint
The engine in my vehicle (2007 Charger, 49,000 miles) has completely failed due to "Casting Sand Sludge". This issue has been acknowledged by FCA Stellantis; but only in much newer engines. The failure in my vehicle, from the "casting sand sludge" caused the vehicle to have engine heat issues, which could have started a fire or resulted in the complete seizure of the engine at speed, potentially leading to a catastrophic and fatal outcome. The fact that the issue is present in my vehicle strongly indicates that FCA Stellantis was aware of the Casting Sand Sludge issue far earlier than they have acknowledged. The Service center suspected a head gasket issue, so they began to address it; what they found was casting sand sludge throughout the engine block. An issue which is an inherent defect of manufacturing, which is unknowable to a unsuspecting owner - until a total failure occurs. This issue would also coincidentally constitute a breach of the "implied Warranty Of Merchantability", as the issue makes affected vehicles not fit for their intended purpose. The Service Center that found the defect is an Authorized FCA Stellantis Dealer/Service Provider. The Service Manager has had an "Conference Call" with an Area Service Manager & A Service Technical Advisor. The Service Manager has indicated that it is casting sand & has told me that if the manufacturer has him send them the engine that i what he is putting on the report. He has told me that he feels that the manufacturer likely will try to bury the issue by attempting a "Forced Buyout". Cursory, research by myself has found that Casting Sand in the presence of H.O.A.T or O.A.T. coolant & heat forms a sludge which over time {40,000 to 55,000 miles} renders an engine unusable, risking catastrophic failure or fire. LX Platform vehicles of the era 2005-2009 were considered "Durable for intended purpose for 150,000 to 300,000 miles". Casting Sand left in the engine block, during manufacture, violates that durability
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Complaint 11729971 Documents
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CRASH: No
WAS VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A CRASH
FIRE: No
WAS VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FIRE
INJURIES: 0
NUMBER OF PERSONS INJURED
DEATHS: 0
NUMBER OF FATALITIES
Was Medical Attention Required: No
Was Incident Reported To Police: No
Date Of Incident: 2026-04-01
(YYYY-MM-DD)
Date Added To File: 2026-04-08
(YYYY-MM-DD)
Date Complaint Received By NHTSA: 2026-04-08
(YYYY-MM-DD)
Date Purchased:
(YYYY-MM-DD)
Was Original Owner: No
Product Type: Vehicle
V = Vehicle T = Tires E = Equipment C = Child Restraint
Specific Component's Description: ENGINE
Anti-Lock Brakes: No
Cruise Control: No
Number Of Cylinders:
Drive Train Type:
[AWD, 4WD, FWD, RWD]
Fuel System:
FI = Fuel Injection TB = Turbo
Fuel Type:
BF = BiFuel CN = CNG/LPG DS = Diesel GS = Gas HR = HybridElectric
Vehicle Transmission Type [Auto, Man]:
(DOT) Department Of Transportation Tire Identifier:
Tire Size:
Location Of Tire:
FSW = Driver Side Front DSR = Driver Side Rear FTR = Passenger Side Front PSR = Passenger Side Rear SPR = Spare
Type Of Tire Failure:
BST = Blister BLW = Blowout TTL = Crack OFR = Out Of Round TSW = Puncture TTR = Road Hazard TSP = Tread Separation
Was Defective Tire Repaired:
Was Part Original Equipment:
Date Of Manufacture:
(YYYYMMDD)
Type Of Child Seat:
B = Booster C = Convertible I = Infant IN = Integrated TD = Toddler
Installation System:
A = Vehicle Safety Belt B = Latch System
Dealer's Name:
Dealer's Telephone Number:
Dealer's City:
Dealer's State:
Dealer's Zipcode:
SOURCE OF COMPLAINT CODE:
CAG = Consumer Action Group CON = Forwarded From A Congressional Office DP = Defect Petition,result Of A Defect Petition EVOQ = Hotline VOQ EWR = EARLY WARNING REPORTING INS = Insurance Company IVOQ = NHTSA Web Site LETR = Consumer Letter MAVQ = NHTSA Mobile APP MIVQ = NHTSA Mobile APP MVOQ = Optical Marked VOQ RC = Recall Complaint, Result Of A Recall Investigation RP = Recall Petition, Result Of A Recall Petition SVOQ = Portable Safety Complaint Form (PDF) VOQ = NHTSA Vehicle Owners Questionnaire
Incident State Code: PA
Vehicle Operator's Name:
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