27th Dec 2006, 13:50

I recently purchased a 1999 Dodge Intrepid with the 2.7L engine. I purchased the car in June with 119,000 miles on it though. It ran great for the first month, then the entire car would jolt and the car would just wig out, the lights would flicker it wouldn't shift gears the locks would lock and unlock, etc. Then it would jolt back to normal. Last month we took it to a dealer here in Las Vegas, they replaced a transmission chip and the problem has not came back. Although after reading all the comments, my car has began doing all the things mentioned! The car now has 123,000 miles on it and the oil light is flickering when I stop, the check engine comes on and off and the heater won't blow hot air anymore. This morning on may way to work the car began to overheat, when I checked the water level it was very low so I have put water in it, but now I am very worried. Thinking I should just sell the car and get my money back before it takes a major dump on me! Any suggestions?

19th Jan 2007, 10:27

It's a shame that you don't appear to have the slightest interest in taking care of your car. After four years and 75,000 miles, you're not willing to replace a lousy thermostat housing??!? You've been driving it with warped brake rotors for the last 50,000 miles??!!!? I suppose you think that's the car's fault, somehow. You are trashing this car, and then complaining about it. You have given this car a resounding endorsement, whether you realize it or not. You haven't taken even the least care of it, and yet you say it has still been dependable. The car sounds like a winner, but you have some very unrealistic expectations about machinery. And then to have the nerve to ask about a class action lawsuit!? Wow...

24th Jul 2007, 16:58

I am a single mother. I have a 2002 Dodge Intrepid 2.7. When I bought my car, it had 87,000 miles on it.

I am a female too, I don't know what's a good car or a bad car. So when I was on my way to pick my daughter up at her dads, my heat wasn't working and then I stopped at a light, got through the light, then my car shut off. And never started again, and after I had about 103,000 miles on it, I had to find a engine. Yeah, I went about 6 months without a car. I had to use my taxes to pay for it.

Now I am scared to drive my car anywhere. So I would like to be in on the whole suit thing if its all possible. Thank you you can e-mail me with anymore info at jess_mariyah@yahoo.com

26th Jul 2007, 04:37

All I can say is that 90% of these people complaining about the 2.7 sludge problems only have themselves to blame. The 10% that have a valid point are the ones that purchased this car new or near new, have them serviced at certified dealers, and where the engine still sludges up. They should sue Chrysler dry of money.

But the people that buys these second hand with with a lot of mileage on them, probably with missing service records, and just drives them off without checking their vehicles? Well, they don't deserve any better. When buying a vehicle second hand, regardless of brand and model, always have it checked and check what it' weaknesses are. But people really don't bother. They just shell out the money and expect the car to last forever.

I mean, these sludge problems have been well known for at least 5 years, and it's easy to detect early sludging, and further sludging is prevented by using high grade oils, like synthetics.

1st Aug 2007, 01:23

I have been working on cars (both as a career and hobby) for over 35 years. I am also what you would call a "dyed in the wool" Mopar nut!

My first car was a 1965 Dodge Dart that saw service as a telephone company vehicle which I purchased with over 200,000 miles on it! With the exception of a couple of vehicles, I have been true to Dodge.

I have made excuses for the short comings of several vehicles over the years, such as my 1981 Omni 024. If you didn't replace the door handles every year or so, the only way to get into the car was through the rear hatch. I also bought a first year Aries to prove my faith in Chrysler and Chairman Lee Iaccoca.

Because of my finicky nature, I found myself changing cars at pretty regular intervals, and really couldn't afford the depreciation on new purchases anymore. Most of the used cars and trucks I've purchased have had upwards of 80,000 miles on them (at time of purchase), and even some have been known to have maintenance/durability issues such as my 1987 Dodge Lancer ES with the 2.2 turbo (known for short engine/turbo life). I held on to it until I had over 187,000 miles on it (got rid of it last summer). The local dealer couldn't believe that I never replaced the turbo or had done major engine work on it.

Our current "stable" of vehicles include a 1994 Intrepid (3.3 liter) with over 175,000 miles, a 1997 Plymouth Voyager (3.3) with just under 150,000 miles, a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 (5.2) with just under 160,000 miles, a 2002 Dodge Intrepid ES (2.7) (my sons') with just about 80,000 miles on it and a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser (2.4) that just turned 44,000 miles.

Two of these came from Ebay (the '94 Intrepid and the '97 Ram) with no service history at all, and just about 100,000 miles on them, but I've have never hesitated to buy a Mopar engine...I've always commented that when most engines are ready to junk, a mopar is just breaking in!

We bought the 2002 Intrepid from a local dealer (despite the 2.7 engine reviews). At the time of purchase, I felt that there were extenuating circumstances causing the failures I was reading about and some unrealistic expectations, after all, brakes wearing out at 45-60,000 miles is not exactly premature. BUT... after just 8 months and about 8,000 miles of use, we had an engine failure on the car. I haven't yet persued the failure with Dodge as I'm awaiting a response from the NYS Attorney Generals office regarding complaints. The 2004 PT Cruisers 2.4 engine (from my understanding) is an update on the 2.7, and it just came out of the shop after needing among other things, a head gasket, water pump and many other assorted parts and labor (approximately $1,200). Thank God it has a 70,000 mile warranty!

I find it interesting, that the only durability issues I've experienced involves the newer (lower mileage) vehicles, and I find it a little disappointing to say the least! Hopefully common sense will prevail and Chrysler will respond in a positive way (although I'm not going to hold my breath).

I've been watching the new Dodge ads featuring the new "lifetime" power-train warranty, and I would hope that the powers that be would realize that taking care of current owners in the field will do more to help rejuvenate the brand and stregnthen loyalty, than trying to attract new buyers with all of the negative publicity that the 2.7 fiasco has created! Let's all keep our fingers (and toes) crossed!