25th May 2009, 15:44

I have a 2002 Intrepid. It has a 3.5 V6 DOHC High Output engine. It used to be a police car. The only problem I am having with it is sometimes when I push the gas, it goes, but it is slow then it catches and takes off. The engine light will blink 5 or 6 times, then I hear a bell and it runs good after that.

The only codes I have on it now are a heater sensor and O2 sensor, but don't know which one. Transmission fluid pressure sensor, and rapid misfiring. Other than that it runs good. Even with all these codes, it still runs like nothing is wrong.

Before someone says did I clear the codes out, yes I did, and those codes I mentioned are recent. What could be making it not want to go sometimes when I push the gas?

14th Jun 2009, 18:22

I have owned a 2002 Intrepid with the 2.7L engine for 5 years. I love the styling, size and ride, but boy o' boy, this car has taken me for a ride! I've replaced the water pump ($800), the alternator ($600) and the engine ($5400). Now the transmission has shifted into "limp" gear and signaled the need for a "solenoid pack". Heaven only knows whether that will actually fix it.

My advice to anyone owning or thinking of owning an Intrepid with the 2.7L engine and A6 transmission is to drive down the Interstate and throw $100 bills out the window. It will be good practice for what's coming. Yes, the car looks great, handles great and rides great, but it's a repair bill waiting to happen.

There are those on this site who are quick to tell you that when the engine, cooling and transmission problems occur they're your fault. You've been a bad owner, they say. I say "bull". There are simply too many common complaints about these issues to point at anything but poor engineering or shoddy manufacturing. The "internal" water pump is an excellent example of the latter.

Again, if you own an Intrepid with the 2.7L engine, I urge you to run to the nearest hardware store and buy a FOR SALE sign. You will not regret selling the vehicle, but you most likely will regret keeping it.

Mike

6/14/09.

19th Jun 2009, 19:14

I just purchased a used 2002 Intrepid and I'm "assuming" it has the infamous 2.7 engine (I really don't know). This is my problem... I don't know! I admit that I didn't do my homework, my old car (which I loved, a 96 Bonneville with 192+K miles) finally died on me. With having to get to work, church and a new grandchild I was desperate to get another vehicle and one I didn't have to finance for long. So what do I do... go to a local (and recommended by a family member) dealer who does buy-here, pay-here.

Well a WEEK after I got the car home, it starts running hot. I'm sitting in it, on a hot day on the bridge in traffic after a long day at work. The gauge goes almost to the highest level. I pull off to a gas station, let it cool then check the coolant. Empty. I add fluid and think that's it. No, it shut off on me and I was stuck.

I called the dealer (with some choice words) and made him tow it and fix it. He said it was the pressure cap on the coolant; the rubber was stripped and it wasn't pressurizing. Fixed it last week.

This week it started with the slow acceleration and the AC/heat only comes on at full blast. I called the dealer again, he said it may need a resister - I've been calling him everyday for a week. I'm taking the car to him tomorrow and telling him to fix it, replace it or keep it. After reading these posts I don't even want it anymore. Sure it looks great, silver SE, almost sport-carish. But who the heck cares if you can't drive it for it being in the shop every other week. And who has money for that? Heck, I may as well have gotten the engine on my Bonneville (which I loved) fixed!

Oh one more thing...sludge. I got to this site checking to see how to rid the car of sludge. I looked inside the engine cap and OMG, I was mortified. Even before reading this I figured..."this is bad". Now I'm petrified. I have only had the car three weeks so I haven't done a oil change or any maintenance, so I don't have any receipts. At this point however, it seems more like the dealer's problem than mine. I'm prepared for a fight, but I also have a handy thing on my side... it's called the LEMON LAW and I'm prepared to use it if I must.

Oh and for all the talk of a so-called Class Action suit, I have not seen anyone post where and who and how to get involved. Hype?

23rd Jun 2009, 19:54

I have an 01 Intrepid. I bought it in 02. For the most part it has been a pretty decent car. It is the only car I have ever driven with over 80k miles on it. It currently has 130k.

My oil light flickers at idle. It has been doing this for about 3 years. I regularly check the oil. I have not been real good about changing the oil just because it is hard to get to a dealer to get it done, and have had 2 different places screw the oil change up. I guess I need to learn how myself.

My transmission leaks fluid, more so in the winter months. I check this level also, and add as needed.

Most recently my car overheated, it is the thermostat housing. I have noticed some build up in this area for quite some time, I just did not know what it was. I just hope my $250 fix is a one time fix, as I have to keep this car for awhile longer as I help my son through college.

Keep me posted about any class action suits also chris4charlie@aol.cm.

30th Jul 2009, 16:46

I have a 2002 Dodge Intrepid w/V6 2.7L engine. It is certainly giving me trouble. I agree class action lawsuit should be the way to go.

1st Aug 2009, 15:09

Bought my 2003 V6/2.7 on July 16, 2009. Seemed to run great nice car!!

On July 24th all that changed. On the turnpike the oil lite came on. Stopped to check oil, which I did before leaving that day also. It was fine. So I kept driving, but the light stayed on. All of a sudden the car started bucking and clanking. Pulled over and it stalled. Had it towed to mechanic, they said needs a new engine!! Sludge!! Is there a way that the dealer could have masked this problem before selling the car if he had known about it??? Is there any way to fix this if the engine was not blown?? This really stinks; should have done my homework. I am broke with no transportation now.