Car overheated but not to boil over; acted as if valve opened and steam burst released through hood vents. Temperature gauge was just under midline and then started climbing when steam burst occurred twice within 30 seconds. Immediately threw heater on max with face and floor vents open. This was in bumper to bumper traffic doing less then 20mphs with stop and go. Had been driving car on freeway for ~1.25 hours prior. Kept 2 car length distance to ensure air flow through idling and up to 10mph, heater on max. Thankfully made it through 7mi stretch of construction zone with no pull out area. Ran it another 15mi at 65mph with heat on max; no other issues. Jiffy lube could not duplicate problem. Has not re-occurred to date with commuter traffic (~45minutes on freeway each way).

First time this happened,in Summer 2010 at less than 100,000 miles, we paid around $5000 to repair it.It worked for 20 months.In May 2012 it started to have the SAME problem AGAIN. Smelling burned and smoked when driving 10 miles in city traffic. It freaked me out, since I was on the city highway....Parked car and let it cool down for an hour. My son, a mechanic apprentice, changed fluids, checked engine, replaced both belts...but car continues doing the same thing. There is no obvious cause. Engine is very clean, and well maintained. I had a Chrysler mechanic with 20+ years experience check it. He thinks the gaskets should be replaced. I am terrified of ending up with another HUGE bill to fix the problem. I start to think that this car is a LEMON...