2002 3.5L Vehicle History Report???'s

Okay I bought my 2nd beloved Intrigue on 09/18/2009. Since then I have had the trans rebuilt. The air Injection system overhauled and a new catalytic converter put in. Plus a few other things im forgetting. Today out of curiuosity I did a VHR and found out in 06/10/2009 It was repozessed, also it was sold to an auction and reported with Frame damage at 83,880 k miles. It was also titled as a Fleet/ lease vehicle on 06/29/2009. On 07/02/2009 it was reported with Unibody damage. On 09/08/2009 it was sold to the owner who sold it to me a car dealer/collision repair expert. Then on 9/18 I titled it. 10 days is not enough time to repair frame and unibody damage in my book at least very well. So now I am taking it to a collision shop within the week to have the frame and unibody checked out to see what I am driving. I am very nervous that he didnt repair it up to code but then you'd think it wouldnt have a clean title. But it was previously titled in Ohio. I dont know if a totaled title in Ohio would transfer over to wisconsin if its not disclosed by the previous owner. Also on the bill of sale theres all those boxes the dealer has to pass or fail. Lie # 1 Drive Train abnormal Shifting.Lie # 2 Repaired Damage section it asks if any corrective welds or other repair to strut tower floor pan fram or structural portion of the unibody. Lie #3 Emissions equipment. Lie #4 Exaughst system. Lie #5 suspension system He checked all of those passed or were legal. When within 3 days the trans and air injection system were diagnosed with issues and within 2 months the catalytic converter was diagnosed with an issue. Does any body know what to have checked for on the frame/unibody inspection. What any legal reprocussions I could take in Wi?

You have to have a very sharp eye on these things such as uneven lines, paint quality/shine also look for traces of leftover paint from a bad paint job, bumper absorber frame posts, undercarriage for damage, bad balljoints tierods and need for alignment uneven tire wear. Bad wheel bearings, old or new struts. Mismatching wear of headlights.

Well when I bought it he had said it was in a small fender bender and he showed me the old hood and said the hood and fender and a headlight were all replaced. The damage on the hood did not look very extensive it looked like a circle impacted into the front passenger side of the car and it only went down "so in towards the engine" about an 3/4 inch. As far as the unibody damage goes I think that whole strut tower up to the fire wall was replaced. I think the Collant overflow tank and the windshield washer tank and fuse boxes were also replaced. Upon strut/spring/mount replacement I noticed the whole passenger side A arm had an older look of age to it than the drivers side. Also I did not notice until todays inspection the front passenger door may have been replaced because the handle on the inside is a different color. I have the grey interior and the handle is Tan. SO tomorrow I am going to try to get my car into the autobody shop to have the Frame and Unibody checked out to see if it was repaired properly (if at all). The dealer that sold it to me never said anything about replacing the bumper cover or any of that. However the cover does look newer. Now my new Question of the day. Could that accident have caused my transmission problems? It has been rebuilt and since then it's been in several times for intermittent trans issues.

First, my condolences. Second, just because a unibody has been hit, does not mean that it is a total. Third, the transmission work doesn't mean that the accident that it was in caused the trans failure. Fourth, the exhaust problem quite possibly was caused by the accident, but how to prove? Fifth, 10 days is surely plenty of time to repair extensive damage! I have rebuilt many cars in two or three days. I really don't know what the laws are in WI or Ohio, but the dealer who sold you that car probably should have disclosed to you that it was in an accident, but the burden of proof is usually on the plaintiff, and from what you have told us, how do you know that the dealer knew the history of the car?
From my own experience with the Intrigue, the design of the transmission is at best, adequate. It was the first electronically controlled transmission from Hydramatic, and there were some major design flaws, most of which were addressed during it's production run, some were not. I put 330K miles on my '98, and replaced the tranny three or four times. I did it because otherwise, the car was good to me. When the engine finally threw a rod bearing, I trashed the car.
Good Luck!

Thanks for the info it's always nice to hear some Intrigue facts. I know he knew because he was the collision repairmen. That is his 2nd business beside dealing. He did tell me it was in an accident just bent the truth a little he said there was no frame damage. My car was given the Frame damage and the unibody damge hit on the title only a week or so before I purchased. However after taking it to 2 collision shops today their inspection proved that it was repaired correctly according to each shops standards. So I am happy with those results. Upon their inspections they were able to tell me exactly what was replaced. The whole passenger strut tower/frame up to the fire wall was chopped and replaced the passenger side quarter panel, the A arm and several other suspension components, The hood, Bumper cover,Headlight, Front passenger side door, Front drivers side door, Rear passenger tail light, Coolant overflow and windshield washer tanks, The main fuse box under the hood, and both air bags. All parts welded, primed, painted and alligned to the T. The shop was looking for parts that did not have the vin # or correct vin or if the parts said they were Genuine replacements. The autobody shops recommended that I take the car to an additional shop to have all the suspension and steering components checked for damage that may have been overlooked or may be loose or what not. Based on my knowledge on how well the structural damage was repaired my guess is the steering and suspension will check out just as well as todays inspection did. I found out today in wisconsin that any vehicle older than a 2004 that has frame and or unibody damage does not require a salvaged or rebuilt title once it has been repaired the title goes back to clean. Oddly. My new question since every shops opinion seems to be different can a collision throw the engine off of allignment? In return the transmission have issues? I keep hearing different and I am curious to know. Cause as of today I am experiencing another transmission issue. I am trying to explore new possibilities because its been re-overhauled a few times now through warranty and, will be fine for a while then starts to have issues again between 3k-5k miles after the rebuild. I appreciate all the info it has been a great help

Sorry that it took so long to reply, I have multiple e-mail accounts, and did not notice that you replied. It is indeed possible, and the distance that you travel before it surfaces should tell the guy who is repairing the transmission what is going on. On the other hand, if he is merely throwing in parts, then that is not going to tell you anything until you have reached his threshold (the point where he refuses to repair it again). The trans and engine are mounted as a unit, so if there is a misalignment, it should be apparent, usually due to vibration or some type of unusual noise. That is all I can think of at this point.

Thanks for the response. This last time he rebuilt it he was slightly annoyed by it. So im sure im close.lol. But it has been shifting smoothly the last few days so ill see what happens I told them of my situation and they told me to let it break in some more.

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/consumer/rights/lemonlaw.htm -new-

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/consumer/rights/dealerprob.htm -used-