Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-120, 121-135, 136-150, 151-161
I have been noticing these past posts have been correlating around the 2.7 L package, and not the 3.2, or even the 3.5L. Has anyone had the same problems, (engine, trans, windows, etc) with these other engine packages?
I believe the 3.5 liter is bullet proof, with the exception of the intake gasket. That is its only weak spot. But that's hit or miss. I have a 2000 intrepid, with the 2.7. As far as I know you couldnt get the 3.2 in it. Only the 2.7 or the 3.5, which is put into the RT model. This is my 2nd intrepid. The first being a 97 with the 3.5 liter. It was a great car, which led me to buy the 2000. The motor has been very good, it now has 100,000 k on it. And now oil is comming out of the dipstick when driving. I replaced the pcv, and the tubes around it. It helped for about 3 days, now I'm back to the oil squirting out of the dipstick. I'm on my 5th pcv valve in 2 weeks, and still, oil spraying out of the dipstick. Engine seems to run well, its just oil is all over the engine, making a bad smell and smoke. Anyone know why this is happening? Gotta be internal I'm thinking. Course it could be as simple as the oil dipsticks seal not "sealing" anymore. On my way to get another dipstick :)
And yes, the 2.7 is a faulty motor. Dodge mechanics that I know tell me that they could stop work on every other car, and only work on intrepids and make the company money. They all tell me, its total junk, and they wouldn't own one.
Nice huh?
If you can't beat 'em join 'em, I guess! I, too am an owner of a 2001 Dodge Intrepid with the POS 2.7L engine.
A month or so ago we took the car to a mechanic because we could hear a knocking sound and noticed that although we had the car "Super Lubed" a week prior, the oil appeared to be thin. Upon investigation the mechanic told us that there was water mixed in with the oil due to a warped head and and a broken water pump. A few weeks and $2,000.00 later we picked up the car and noticed the "Check O2 censor" light was on. We were told to call the shop back if the light didn't "disappear" in a day or two. Two days later we called the shop to tell them that not only was the light still on, the dome light was flickering on and off constantly. We made arrangements to return the car to the shop for further investigation and were told it was "OK to drive" over the weekend and we could bring it in the following Monday.
Two days after picking the car up and two days before I planned to drop the car off again, I wound up stranded on the side of the highway with my husband and sister because the engine DIED! It began with all of the warning lights and elevated to a loud knocking noise. Finally it just pooped out!
The car was towed back to the repair shop. Two days later I was contacted by the owner of the shop who told me he had to replace the oil pump and timing chain guides and rig the warning light so it would go off anymore. He said "we've got the car running... for now. The bad news is that the engine will fail on you any time now. We want this car out of our hair. The 2.7L engine is the worst engine ever made." He refuses to work on our vehicle anymore!
My car only has 75,000 miles on it. We still owe $10,000.00 on this car, it's blue book value is less than $4,000.00, We've already spent $2,000 on repairs (that really didn't repair anything), and we're baffled at the thought of making payments on a loan for a car that isn't safe to drive and could die on us any day!
In researching the 2.7L engine on the Internet and speaking with various authorities (Nat'l. Hwy. Traffic Safety Institute @ 1-800-424-9393, Chrysler @ 1-800-763-8422, Center for Auto Safety @ 202-328-7700) I have learned that there is no official recourse that has gotten anyone anywhere thus far. We hope everyone with these issues uses the numbers provided here to push the issue and let Chrysler know that their lack of consumer concern won't be tolerated! Please also visit www.dontbuyone.com. There is a ton of useful information posted there on this very subject!
Good luck to you all!
Fed up in Florida!
99 Dodge Intrepid 2.7L 77,500 miles. Amsoil 100% Synthetic changed once every year (about 12000 miles).
Bought new and not even out of dealer's lot, the remote trunk switch did not work. They had us wait for a couple of hours and fixed it. This should have been a sign for us.
Next is a list of things that have gone wrong:
-Driver window would not roll down, dealer fixed under warranty
-Driver window failed again, dealer replaced entire inside door panel, has worked ever since
-Fan would only work on high. Dealer fixed for $90.00
-Transmission switch failed, wouldn't get out of 1st gear, local shop fixed for $160.00
-Small oil leak near pan, I don't know where exactly
-Coolant leak at the bleeder, tried fixing with JB weld, did not work
-Radiator cooling fan wobbling on fan motor shaft making a horrible noise at times. Replaced with an eBay purchased new aftermarket assembly (both fans, shroud and motors) for $129, Autozone wanted $269. The eBay fan appears to be better built. Fixed myself.
Things I like about the car:
Comfortable on long trips, good cruise control, power is ok, good suspension, nice body styling, roomy and good gas mileage at about 28 mpg.
What's next? I can't believe this car's blue book is only $6000. We'll have it paid off this June. I was hoping to have this car until at least 2009, but after reading everything here, I'm seeing a bad trend.
Phil LeRoy
wingbolt@hotmail.com.
Well, I would like to introduce myself my name is Jennifer Jones. I am a single Mom of one and I bought my 1998 2.7 liter intrepid, about 2 years ago. I got it because it was an attractive car and the price was right... little did I know of the problems to come. About seven months ago I was taking my former boyfriend to work when all of a sudden my engine just stopped the car would not restart and I was left stranded in the middle of a major highway, I was almost smashed by several other cars till some one stopped and helped us push the car to the side of the road, I had my daughter in the car and something could have horribly happened to us. So I had the car towed to the dodge dealership where I bought it. They took it apart as they said and gave me a huge bill for "Looking at it" and told me I didn't change my oil on a regular basis and the sludge build up ruined my engine and to fix the car would cost me about 7,000 dollars they said, that's almost as much as I paid for the car! And first of all I have receipts and records of every time I changed the oil, its not my fault. And being a single Mom I do not have the money to fix this so now I am making a car payment on a car that is sitting in my driveway that I cannot drive. Thank you guys for the information and I hope something good will come of this. I would like to be apart of this lawsuit going on so if anyone has information please email me at Whiskeegurl21@aol.com.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Jones
Eastern Virginia.
Dodge Intrepid 2001- 2.7 engine failure
We pretty much have the same story as everyone on this site... our engine started knocking during a Christmas trip and was left stranded on the highway. We finally got it towed to the dealership only to be told it was COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE and they could fix it for the very special price of $8,000.00 and with another (2.7) liter engine (No thanks!). We found a re-built 3.2 engine (it sounded like a good plan at the time) and had it replaced only to find out that without the correct engine computer and without a security system that the engine... would "not" run. It runs for 10 minutes before shutting down, but boy for those 10 MINUTES it does run great...so we are told!! We have also yet to find these parts, I personally think they are non-existent and have tried to contact our local dealer for help (in which they have made no attempt to try to help out again). We have made complaints to Chrysler and various other sites and have been recently contacted from a company that represents Chrysler to compensate some of the damage we have endured with trying to replace a badly designed engine. Sounds like maybe this Class Action Suit is finally gaining momentum...
I just purchased a 99 Intrepid 3 weeks ago and the ticking engine has already started. In researching the problem on the Internet I went into a site for Dodge lovers and they too admit to the same problems with the 2.7L engine. A posting on their site dated 7-28-05 by one owner (the original owner) of a 2.7L Intrepid says he has received a settlement from Chrysler thru the Center for Auto Safety. Per his comment Chrysler has assigned an intermediary to handle these "claims" and will only deal with the CAS and those owners who have filed official claims with the CAS. I think it would be worth your while to contact the CAS if your 2.7L Dodge has failed. The Center for Auto Safety website is www.autosafety.org and has contact info! I hope this helps some or ALL of you!
My car is in the shop now. I agree that you spend a lot of money to solve problems and they start again. My engine would die. This is the third time. I've had most of the same problems. I purchased my car new in 1998. It has 76,000 miles now. My car's steering column rattled for 2 years. A recall finally solved the problem. By then I had spent lots of money on brakes and tires. If there is a class action suite include me at Iamcharming2000@yahoo.com.
Multiple web message threads say it all. I have a 98 ES with the 2.7 liter engine. I have experienced door window motor and window switch failures. Transmission shifting failures from faulty sensors. Phantom interior lights flashing. Motor ticking noises. Air conditioner clutch locked up and blew out belt. Idle pulley bearing went south after 15 k and 30 k. Changed to a better bearing manufacturer. Dash lights burnt out. Courtesy lights fail regularly. Good luck with yours. Mine bites. Constant recall notices.
I am also a owner of a 2000 Intrepid 2.7,engine light goes on and at a stop the oil light comes on, and to stop the front-end shimmies really bad! I am so disappointed! The power steering pump makes a loud noise!I had the rotors and brakes replaced several times, tie rod end was junk. Also passenger window stopped working! What a piece of junk! I emailed Dodge and you know what I got" coupons"!!!For a oil change... I also had a stratus which the oil light came on and 30 seconds later blew the motor on a highway, no warning, at 77,000 miles, Please if there is a suit please email me at magikalwicca@direcway.com.
Yes, the oil-warning lights are a scream, by the time they come on, the engine is already ruined.
You bought an Intrepid after your Stratus engine failed?
Look at the center for Auto safety website for details of how to claim.
Do a search on "Clarence Ditlow" who runs it.
In 2000 I bought a 98 intrepid as a family car, it looked great and was a looker to everyone who passed by it. we felt special to be in it and then it happened wright in front of the neighbors, our engine stopped with a loud bang every one came out to see our nice car in the middle of our street. I couldn`t believe what just happened. Ever sense that day nothing has been the same. We bought a new engine and many new parts for the cooling system the heating system the electric system the windows the brake booster two of them in six months, maybe I should go to work for them I now how to build one 98 DODGE INTREPID. I would like to say that when we say AMERICAN MADE!!! WE WOULD WANT TO BE PROUD OF OUR AMERICAN MADE. We all American`s should stand by quality and demand that we get what we pay for and not junk for AMERICAN MADE. As an American working laborer my money is very hard to come by and I`m not L O D. I would love it if a T.V.Network would pick up this story and really ask them if they truly are the number one in customer satisfaction. I ask for a nation wide boycott of all product coming from this company. My email at hcapilla@peoplepc.com.
I have a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. My car is on its third engine, and that one is about to fail too. I purchased the piece of crap used with 55k miles on it. I have had some the problems mentioned by so many others here: trunk key inoperable, power window failure AND bracket breaking, blower only works on high (had this problem fixed multiple times, now I just deal with it) with unpredictable heat/cooling, and most important, multiple engine failures.
I was diligent with oil changes, using synthetic at every 3000 miles, as opposed to some people who I have seen mention up to 8000. I would never wait 8000 miles on ANY vehicle.. Just to give some context, though, the second block died within two weeks of installation. Fortunately for me, I bought an extended warranty on the car, and so the first block was covered, and there was no way the dealership could get out of being culpable for the second failure.
Funny enough, I had another Dodge and went through a similar experience. I had the infamous Neon, and had the head gasket changed to the newer multi-layered steel one after failure. About 20k later, my rods went. Something tells me that this company should be avoided, since it seems they have these types of problems with multiple vehicles in their line...
I am having a same problem as you guys... I just bought 98 Chrysler Intrepid 2 months ago. And now people say that I need to replace the whole engine. My story is little bit different though. First, the car stopped on the road when we were waiting for the signal and ticking sounds. We got home ASAP, and found out smokes coming out of the front hood, and the anti-freeze was empty. We refilled it and came down right away on the drive way. The mechanic said that there were holes in the gas gauge (?) and that let oil and anti-freeze mixed. Because of anti-freeze, the engine will fail anytime from now, and recommended to replace the whole engine. The engine will cost me as much as what I paid for the car and I'm not sure to replace it or not. I wanted to get back to the seller, but I bought this privately. Is anybody have an idea what I should do?
I have a 99 Chrysler Concorde. The 1998 to 2004 models of the Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde, 300M, LHS are all the same car with only body differences. I had the same problems as everyone else has had with this car, but I am a "motor head" and love working on my car. Dodge designed the 2.7 poorly for these years, and tried to redo the motor in 2002. They know this motor is a bad design, and that is why they like the 3.2 & 3.5 better. I had my 2.7 blow at 108,000 miles and wound up in the same dilemma as everyone else, but the fix for this car was pretty simple for me. The 3.2 & 3.5 use the same transmission as the 2.7 so I had my transmission rebuilt and put a 3.5 into my car. The motor bolts right up along with changing a few things that go to these motors. I now have a car that has a used motor in it with 40K on it and a transmission with only 180 miles on it. Yes there are other things that can go wrong with the 3.2 & 3.5 but with normal maintenance it will prove to be a reliable car.