NHTSA complaint #11583424

Owner complaint summary

Engine failure; engine light P0306 error, cylinder 6 head gasket blown. Mileage 62k, Year 2019. Yes, vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle was a danger to my family and others, as it unexpectedly overheated on the freeway, and there were no known engine problems to that point. I drive a minivan for my family (2 parents and 3 children), and I am also a carpool parent for two other children, and regularly drive children to and from school, twice a day. An engine failure with no warning is a massive danger and a huge compromise to safety to the families involved and those on the road around us as it occurred unexpectedly on a freeway, at freeway speeds. Upon inspection by a mechanic, it was discovered that the vehicle had no coolant, the coolant had been leaking into the engine, causing mis-firing of cylinder 6, and the car overheated due to low coolant levels; the cylinder head gasket and exhaust manifold gasket was replaced. Additional engine components in poor condition and also replaced: all spark plugs, coolant housing, timing chain tensioner A and B, front crank shaft seal, timing cover gasket, oil filter housing, and rear engine mount. Additionally the cylinder head needed to be resurfaced. The vehicle/component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance reps.The vehicle and faulty components have been inspected by a mechanic. Leading up to the engine failure, there were no warnings of low coolant, as there is no coolant sensor; the engine light only turned on the day of engine failure; and a few days before engine failure, the only symptom observed was slightly stronger idling than normal, almost imperceptible.