1995 Dodge Intrepid Standard 3.3L

Summary:

Nice looking, professional comfortable car, starting to fall apart around 80,000 miles

General Comments:

I purchased a used 1995 Dodge Intrepid powered by the 3.3L engine with about 70,000 miles. I was impressed with how roomy and good looking it was.

Shortly after purchasing the vehicle I smelt a burning oil type smell. With this mileage I figured these things could happen and it was no big deal. I traced the smell to engine oil leakage, replaced the valve cover gaskets and oil fill cap. I performed a tune up and replaced the oil, oil filter, vacuum hoses, spark plugs, PCV valve, fuel filter and air filter. I thoroughly checked everything and all fluids. I also had all four tires replaced because they had excessive inner wear.

The problem was corrected, the engine seemed to run strong. I did notice that the transmission did not seem to kickdown consistently. A squeal did develop in the steering and the brakes usually squeaked loudly, which was not a big problem for me, only annoying. I had the brakes sanded down, cleaned, adjusted and inspected, but the squeaking would just return. I was told by a five star Chrysler dealer that they had a memo from Chryseler stating that the brake noise is normal and that nothing could be done.

The vehicle was stalling out at idle and when reversing sometimes, then would not start due to what I found to be a defective cheap OEM negative battery terminal, which I replaced.

I had a feeling that the transmission mounts were broken because of a hard clunk in the front end after acceleration at times, also not a big deal.

At nearly 80,000 miles I noticed transmission fluid leakage evidence and smelt the strong odor inside the vehicle at times. I decided to take it in to a Chrysler dealership, which notified me that the transmission cooling lines needed to be replaced along with the transmission mounts.

I was told that the power steering pump needed to be replaced.

I was told that the brake squeaking was normal and that nothing could be done. Unfortunately, I was also told that the transmission seals also needed to be replaced, which would require the transmission to be rebuilt resulting in expensive labor. I was quoted $2700.00 and besides, the OEM snap on wheel covers were falling off, which DaimlerChrysler sells for $100.00 each as a rip off.

C-Pillar plastic was sun damaged and needed replacement.

The Paint was starting to wear and the interior plastics and paneling were faded and worn.

Basically, the vehicle was starting to fall apart pretty quickly.

Although I liked the vehicle otherwise, I decided that it was more cost efficient and time to move on to something newer and better figuring these things were mainly due to the vehicle mileage or overall usage.

I think that the only really good part of this vehicle was its 3.3L engine that was still running strong, had nice power on the freeway, burned no oil and had good fuel ecomomy. The only thing I can really praise Chrysler on is the 3.3L engine in this Intrepid. After experiences with other Chrysler (DaimlerChrysler) manufactured vehicles, I would not purchase another Dodge, Chrysler vehicle. Many of the newer ones are far worse and are even more likely to start falling apart. I didn't know it at the time, but this was actually considered a very good Chrysler manufactured vehicle compared to many others.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th June, 2001

21st Jan 2004, 11:59

The 1995 Intrepid with the 3.3L engine has been a lot of trouble to me. The car, I learned later, had been through six owners before, including an auto-auction after it had just over 12,000 miles. When I purchased it there were about 55,000 miles.

After 4 months I had to have the transmission rebuilt, all the seals were gone. There's been trouble with tie-rods and I have gone through two sets. Yesterday the third and fourth gear went out of the transmission and so I'm looking at over 2 grand for a rebuilt one. It has a 3 year 36,000 mile warranty and is supposed to be much improved over the OEM, but the car now has 124,000 miles.

In the past I owned a 1968 Newport Custom and a 1972 Newport. The transmissions never wore out and both cars had over 150,000 on them. Even after driving at 70 mph with practically no transmission fluid in the 1968 car, the transmission was as good as new, once I had the leak repaired and filled it up with fluid. It was the motor of each that wore out on these.

My 1988 Toyota had 197,000 miles and it was the transmission that started slipping and then suddenly locked up.

The motor on the Intrepid still runs great, and the mileage is still excellent. The car can really scream when I have to pass someone in a short distance or if the space is tight trying to get onto the freeway. It's just a shame Chrysler had to make such a wimpy transmission.

Oh yes, the blue paint is peeling off the roof.

1995 Dodge Intrepid ES 3.5 V6

Summary:

A car and company to stay away from!!!

Faults:

Suspected transmission problems at 28,000 miles.

Water in the lamp assembly tail - 30,000 miles.

34,000 miles - replaced the fuel injector, gasket, plugs, and ignition wire.

42,000 miles - passenger window motor broke.

43,000 miles - finally rebuilt the transmission.

43,000 - replaced the battery.

47,000 miles - replaced the transmission cooler lines, water pump, and the rear suspension is broken.

64,000 - replaced the EGR valve & tie rods.

85,000 miles - battery.

90,000 - NEEDS another transmission - DO YOU BELIEVE IT??? Today!!! ALSO - paint wearing off the hood & top!!!

General Comments:

Dodge would not declare this car a lemon back in the 1st 3 years!!! When a new service manager took over he tried his best to no avail. He has treated us the best that he could, but cannot make up for the poor product.

The paint came off our Dodge Ram and that wasn't recalled either and the air conditioning had to be replaced 2 times within 6 years!

Dodge will do nothing - so I will not buy another product of theirs. Either they don't make a quality product and/or they don't want to do anything about LEMONS.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th June, 2001

10th Aug 2001, 03:37

(CASE #1) In 1997 I bought a used 1994 (obviously) Plymouth Voyager Mini-Van with 74,000 miles on it. The van ran perfect and I made sure all maintenance was done to the "T" on time. Well, when the mileage reached 100,112 miles, just out of nowhere the transmission felt like it threw itself into reverse while traveling down the road. This "weird" incident ended up breaking both seals and the OD gear welded itself to the side of the pan. Naturally I had to replace the whole transmission... Cost $2400.00. I ended up totally replacing the transmission two more times within the next 5 months.

(CASE #2) In 2001 I bought a 1995 Dodge Intrepid with 95,000 miles on it. Approximately one month and six days later there I was, on the highway watching as the odometer rolled to 100,000 miles. 5000 miles and I hadn't had a problem yet. Well, I made it all the way home, parked it in the driveway and walked inside still feeling very satisfied with my car which now had 100,007 miles.

The very next morning I could not even get out of my driveway. The transmission would not go into any gear. I spent 30 minutes trying until finally it went into gear. On the way to work, about 1 mile from my job, my car shifts from OD to 1st gear causing my forehead to nearly hit the steering wheel. It is now sitting in the shop after owning it just over a month.

Now that I've experienced these two nightmares I have one question for Chrysler, Plymouth, and Dodge...

What will it take to get you to admit that you have programmed into those nice little computers under the hood, each one of your cars to meet their fate on your terms and not the consumers?

9th Jan 2004, 13:42

We have a 1994 eagle vision, the same as the intrepid. A great car with over 167k miles.

27th Jun 2004, 18:21

1994 Intrepid 170,000k 3.3l base model with no major issues...Has warped front rotors.. a simple rotor upgrade.. The 3.3l is known for tappet noise and yes there is tappet noise... YES the transmission has coughed once or twice..but has never failed in 10 years... Still runs at 90mph all day on the highway without going through oil, stays cool..and the A/C works fine..the steering has never failed... and works great.. very accurate...

To-bad about the germans buying Chrysler.. Never buy another one for that reason. (the "new" v-8 powered cars are 10 yearold Mercedes e 300 underpinnings)

27th May 2008, 21:19

I bought a 1995 Dodge Intrepid ES on January 19th, 2008. I absolutely love it. It's a great car, especially for someone who is 18, like me. My only real woes with this beauty is the transmission... Apparently, it's a common problem. Around 135k miles, it decided that it wasn't going to move forward anymore... Then, with the turn in the weather, it decided that instead of going backwards only, it was going to redirect its efforts toward forward movement. I can live with it. I'm getting a rebuilt tranny for $450. Overall, it's a wonderful car.

29th Oct 2009, 17:04

3.3 is the best engine for the Intrepid and many 95's are still running with well over 250 thousand miles. Seats are a bit uncomfortable though.