2004 Dodge Intrepid from North America - Comments

To whom it may concern.

I bought a 2004 Dodge Intrepid with about 24,000 miles on it. It seemed like a solid car and I spent the extra money because I wanted a reliable car to carry me through 5 or 6 years. I do a lot of driving and at 52,000 the oil light came on, I stopped immediately and check the oil level, coolant and for any obvious problems, none. I drove it slowly to the place where I bought it and the told me that the after-market oil filter that was on it was the problem, (did not know Fram was an after-market brand). I said OK, let them change the oil and put the recommended oil filter on it. 23 miles toward home the oil light was on again. I called the dealer and was told to bring it in so they could look at it. I was going on a vacation so I rented a car after buying a

Good body, 2.7 motor sucks.

Check the oil level sensor.

If you change the oil on any car while it is still under warranty that warranty will be voided.

Wow! Your experience almost mirrors my own. Only I bought a new 1999 Dodge Intrepid. I did put in a new motor at 59,000 because I was already invested in the junk. Well, I'm looking at another engine at the moment. Low and behold this one is doing the same thing. Little over 2 years after putting in a new one. (A Chrysler one, the dealership put in... not an aftermarket) The thing is, I will not put in another one. Went to trade it in and was told they would be generous and give me $1000 for it. Because of the engine I still owe $2500 on a car I spent $20,000 on! It burns me up. I feel your pain. It's funny that everyone has the same comment about the service people..."Not able to duplicate the problem" I was told this numerous times. I guess they are PAID well. With my luck they will recall these engines after I'm rid of the car. I just hope I make it home from work today. My oil light is on and won't go off. Will never by a dodge product again because of the service. Beautiful cars, poor service......and service means everything to the average person.

Yes, the 2.7 engine is a pile o' crap and it deeply saddens me that D/C will not do anything about it. They should stop putting that engine in anything. Hopefully they will retire the sludge-o 2.7...

I love my Intrepid, but it's a 93 with a 3.3...

Not true, If you can prove oil/filter purchase with receipts, the manufacturer has to accept it.

I can see the dealer's/manufacturer's point of view.

You know you are competent, but they don't know that.

And they want to maximize their profit, of course.

Better to buy an older car and do all your own maintenance, which you seem quite capable of doing.

New cars are a big disappointment.

I've had 6 new cars and been very lucky in that none of them gave any problems, but it's a better feeling to buy a good second-hand car like a BMW750iL or BMW850 or, in North America, just buy a used Mercury Grand Marquis or Crown Victoria if you want a big family car and leave the troublesome Front-Wheel-Drive dinkey toys alone.

I would have the dealer run an oil pressure test. I had the same problem with the oil light, everything else seemed fine on my 2004. After extensive testing at an idle, after engine is warm etc. The oil pressure checked fine even thought he light was on. They then isolated the oil light (not sure, but I know it involved unplugging the dash oil light and plugging it into a machine) and it still came on. Said it would cost about $400 to replace the dash system. They assured me it was not an engine problem since they had numerous oil pressure readings all of which they gave me. I have had my oil changed at regular intervals also. The oil pressure sensor has been replace and even rewired to try and fix the problem before they isolated to the dash. So, I would have some other things checked. If you check the year of the engines with sludge I think you'll find most of them made before 2002. They indeed did make some modifications after the 2001.

My check engine light stays on and when I had it checked I, was told to replace the gas cap. Same problem and now I hear a winding noise as the engine idles and gets louder the faster I drive. I have a 2004 Intrepid SE 2.7 engine. Any one with the same problem? R A in Chicago.

Well, Iguess I'm a lucky one because I too have a 2004 Intrepid SE, Bought it brand new, I now have almost 97,000 miles on it and the car has been flawless. I also heard of all the problems the 2.7 ltr mtr has had, I have since change the the engine oil to a dura blend, 75,000 mile oil. so far so good, runs like new.

It says the 2.7 engine is a MITSUBISHI engine...

Http://intrepidhorrorstories.blogspot.com/

Just so you know, the 2.7 is not in any way a Mitsubishi engine. I know there are things out there claiming it to be, but it's definitely not.

HI, I am from Saint John NB Canada and also purchased a 2004 SE Intrepid like a lot of you. I have now clocked over 181000km on it, and it still works great with a 2.7 litre engine. Just today the check engine light came on, and I experienced a complete loss of power; the car wasn't going anywhere. So I drifted over with my flashers on, turned the car off and turned it back on. The check engine light came on and the car drove OK at this point. I had JUST filled the tank with fuel... it was bone dry when I filled it up... keep that in mind. So, I pulled into a gas station, started and stopped the engine a few times, check engine like remained on.. solid lamp. So, I went to investigate the gas cap... cranked it a few times and verified it was tight. Turned the car back on and the check engine light disappeared. What are the odds...

SO, basically, the loss of power might be attributed to the fact the tank was so low and I filled it... may have had some air trapped in there... or if the cap wasn't tight that would cause the emissions monitor to set the check engine lamp and the loss of power could have been caused by this problem. If you have any ideas to add, feel free...

The stalling is an early sign of inevitable failure on these 2.7 engines -- you get stalling that is "fixed" with a cam sensor replacement, only to have more and more frequent stalling.

Sometimes the engine will then lock up and die without warning, other times it will develop a tick or knock and then die.

The 2.7 is a dreadfully poor engine.

Tonight on the highway my 2004 Intrepid bucked, the check engine light came on and the car stalled. I pulled over and was able to turned it back on but check engine light was still on. It has done this before, however not going 75 miles per hour, I have tightened the gas cap and the light goes off. So, what is wrong and how do I fix it. Do not really feel safe in this vehicle anymore but unfortunately cannot afford to get rid of it right now.