1999 Dodge Intrepid 2.7 from North America

Summary:

I think that the Dodge Intrepid is a LEMONS

Faults:

1 month after the purchase of the vehicle my internal speed sensor had to be replace and 3 months after that the external speed control sensor was replaced. A year later my fan motors went out and had to be repaired. The driver window is off track and the rear driver side passenger window will not go down. The dash lights flickers on and off. My engine light have been on for a year now and a dodge mechanic advise me it will cost $500.00 just to go into the dash and check things out. And for my lasted dilemma my car will run for about 20 minutes and will not start back for another 20 minutes. The mechanic says that the fuel pump/filter could be gone and want to charge $460.00 to repair it.

General Comments:

This car are so pleasing to the eyes.

The minute you purchase one it becomes a living nightmare with all the money that goes into the repairs to keep them looking pretty on the highway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd December, 2004

1999 Dodge Intrepid Basic 2.7 from North America

Summary:

This is a very comfortable vehicle that looks good too

Faults:

The Oil pressure sensor leaked. But I replaced it as soon as I noticed it... no further issues with the sensor in the past 10,000 miles.

The headlights were yellow and foggy when I bought the car, but some sand paper (320 grit, then 800 grit) and a drill with a cloth polishing wheel with very fine metal polish took care of that problem. The plastic came out looking brand new and has stayed that way for the past year in the California sun.

General Comments:

The car has worked well for me. Gobs of room and plenty of get up and go. It's not a race car and I don't treat it as such. It's a comfortable family vehicle that gets decent gas mileage... between 21 and 23 MPG in town and 26 to 27 MPG on the freeway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd December, 2004

1999 Dodge Intrepid ES 3.2L from North America

Summary:

A great car, it just keeps going and going!

Faults:

Rack and pinion (steering gear assembly) replaced at 110,000 miles.

Front wheel bearings replaced at 120,000 miles.

Fuel pump replaced at 115,000 miles.

Driver's window motor replaced at 30,000 miles. and again at 140,000 miles.

General Comments:

This has probably been the most reliable car I have ever owned. Except for the few items listed above, I have only done normal routine maintenance.

Oil changes about every 3,000 miles.

I think the 3.2L engine was a better choice than the 2.7L. Much more power and no engine problems to this date.

This is a really big car, but the driver's leg room is a little lacking on a long trip.

The traction control system is worth every penny!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th December, 2004

1999 Dodge Intrepid 2.7 from North America

Summary:

A huge lemon and car to stay away from

Faults:

Windows off track 59K.

Won't go over 50 mph 62K.

Passenger door lock stops working 63k.

Transmission had to be replaced 70K.

Battery plate shorts out 85K.

Cam sensor has to be replaced 95K.

Engine has to be replaced 101K.

General Comments:

This car looks great, is comfortable, and is the biggest lemon we have ever owned.

There have been many more little things that have gone wrong that I have forgotten.

Our latest and most serious problem is with the failure of the 2.7 liter engine. The car's oil light would come on when we would be idling below 1,000 RPMs. We took it into a shop to discover we had a "sludge" problem, usually caused from lack of maintenance. When we informed the mechanic that we changed the oil regularly, he started doing some research. He led us too many, many websites where Dodge Intrepid owners have experienced the same thing.

Our only option is to replace the engine to the tune of $7,000 or drive the car into the ground. You can't even find one of these engines in a junkyard, because they are in such high demand because of the failure rate. If you could find one in the junkyard, it would run about $4,000.

Dodge will take no responsibility, saying it is an "owner maintenance" issue. I am hoping to hear about a class action lawsuit. In the meantime I owe a lot of money on a car that I can't drive and can't afford to fix.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th December, 2004

14th Dec 2004, 12:35

You got the vehicle with over 50k miles on it. Even if you could prove that you changed the oil regularly, I doubt that you can prove that the original owner (s) did.

Unfortunately, you're stuck. Have you checked into re-building the engine? Look at the bright side though, it lasted over 100k miles thus far.

22nd Jan 2005, 10:46

As an auto parts person of many years I must comment on two items.

1) 85k on your battery - sounds like you got your moneys worth

2) Cams sensor out at 95K - sensors go bad. Again at 95k I would have to say you got your moneys worth.

As for the rest, you have legitimate complaints.

2nd Jun 2005, 16:41

I also owe a 1998 intrepid and had to replace the 2.7 engine at 60,000 miles. I know these cars are "LEMONS".

A truly beautiful car that you can't keep long.