Comments: 1-15, 16-17
Transmission failed on our 2001 Intrepid.
In August 2004.
We paid to have it replaced and now, the.
engine is gone.
I fell in love with the body of the Intrepid. It is such a shame that the
transmission and engine or no good.
I am stuck with about 20 more car payments and a car that is sitting in my driveway, taking up space. It is totally ridiculous that the manufacturer
and/or the dealer are not going to try and meet us half way on a solution.
We spent $1700.00 in August 2004 on a brand new transmission. Now, we were told last week that it will cost at least $6500.00 to get the engine fixed/replaced. This sounds like a total rip-off to me. Especially when the car is only 4 years old and the fact that we have a 1994 Nissan Maxima with 170,000 miles (paid for) still rolling. If it was not for the Maxima, I would not have a way to work. I will warn any and everybody not to ever buy a Dodge.
My 2001 Dodge Intrepid is about the best car I have ever owned!1 I only replaced the thermostat and tires 95000 miles and it never let me down!!
Car is a complete piece of junk. I didn't know it was possible to make a car this unreliable. I think it goes to the shop every week or so for tons of electrical problems. has 175 K on it, but it should last longer than that.
Reading this report of yours made me think I was reading about what I just went through.
I have a 2001 Intrepid that I bought 3 1/2 years ago. It was used with only 12,000 miles on it.
I had a problem with it almost immediately with an engine sensor of some kind (can't remember what it was called) but it made the engine cut out at 2500 RPM. I got that replaced and it ran fairly well for three years when I started having transmission problems at about 85,000 miles.
I spent $1200 to replace the transmission in December 2004, and it never really ran quite right after that.
Then two weeks ago the engine died and I was told by three different mechanics (two of which came highly recommended by friends) that this was a common problem with this engine once it gets over 100,000 miles on it. Can't find a used engine for this (I guess because everyone else is buying them). TWO of the mechanics told me the SAME story that they got from the ENGINE MANUFACTURER who said there was a design flaw with the oil system, and that they have basically re-engineered the engine to resolve those problems. The problem with that is a re-manufactured engine costs at least $6200 because to get the warranty you have to replace ALMOST EVERYTHING under the hood.
THEN, at the used car dealer last night, the OWNER of the dealership who has been in business for 30 years says they ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT BUY, TRADE, OR SELL A USED DODGE INTREPID because of the flaws in the engine design.
So, same as you, I am stuck with 18 more payments on a heap of junk.
It is NOT a secret to the dealers and the mechanics out there who see hundreds of these cars every year. The Dodge Intrepid was designed and built with a defective engine. PERIOD!
And we end up paying the price...
If you have any doubts whatsoever about the reliability of this vehicle and it's engine please check out the information posted at The Center for Auto Safety at the following links:
http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=149&did=961.
http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?did=981&scid=122.
This is NOT an isolated problem and this is NOT a matter of people failing to properly maintain their vehicles.
It is a design flaw that has encumbered hundreds and hundreds of owners with mental, emotional, and financial distress.
It is a problem that needs to be rectified immediately.
If you have any doubts whatsoever about the reliability of this vehicle and it's engine please check out the information posted at The Center for Auto Safety at the following links:
http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=149&did=1118.
http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=149&did=961.
http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?did=981&scid=122.
http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=149&did=1053.
This is NOT an isolated problem and this is NOT a matter of people failing to properly maintain their vehicles.
It is a design flaw that has encumbered hundreds and hundreds of owners with mental, emotional, and financial distress.
It is a problem that needs to be rectified immediately.
I have to agree with everyone's comments. I recently purchased a 2001 Intrepid ES with 49k miles.. I have owned it for about 3 months now and out of those 3 months I have drove the car 1 month. Right at 52,200 miles my transmission went out.Now, you might think it was just the previous owner.But, it was a old lady's car that just went to church and back. Now I am stuck making car payments on a pile of junk in my driveway. And the best part about all of this is, that they have very few outside the dealership mechanics that will try to fix my car. I have been turned away from atleast 4 diffrent shops till I found a guy that would fix it. And also having the much talked about problems with the steering rack. My best advice to anybody is not by a dodge. Stick with import cars.. Best bang for the buck!!
I also have a beautiful 2001 Dodge Intrepid that was babied along with 147,000 miles and then the timing chain broke and ruined the motor. Not a good car if your looking for longevity. I will never buy another Dodge!
When it goes your given no warning! I recommend selling if your lucky enough to have a runner.
Thanks, Bill in Michigan.
I have an 01 Intrepid, and I agree with everything everyone has said. It is a big piece of junk! We have replaced the brain at 76K and then the transmission brain at 82K and now the trans is locked up at 93K. We have never been so disappointed by a vehicle.
I too fell in love with the design of th 01 Intrepid. I bought it with only 21,000 miles on it and still have around 20 payments left. At 62,000 the transmission went out. I want to know where you all are getting one for less than $2000. The cost of my repair is $3100. Anyway, I will never again buy a Dodge product.
This link gives all the details about Daimler Chrysler and the problems with their automobiles. http://www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com/
My 2001 Intrepid had engine trouble at 86,XXX miles. The car overheated while driving home from work, and the garage told me there was anti-freeze in the oil pan, which meant a new engine was needed. I had to have the sensor replaced a few hundred miles before the warranty ran out. I was told by Dodge corporate and by the local dealer that there was nothing they could do - sorry for your expense. I now own a Hyundai and will never buy another Dodge!!!
I too *sigh* own a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. The car was a work horse until I hit 100, 000 miles then the engine burned up all the oil and ruined the engine. It took me a year to not only find someone willing to fix it, but to do it under 6 grand. I got it fixed for under 3 grand. Now I'm having problems with the "new" engine as it just blew a gasket at press time spraying antifreeze all over the place. A class action lawsuit needs to be started against Dodge regarding the poor design of the engine. I'm almost done paying it off and was looking forward to no car payments and to saving some money. So much for that idea. As soon as I can, I'm getting rid of it. Only thing is, I feel guilty sticking anyone with a car like this. Jay, California., If, anyone is starting or wants to start a class action here's my email jahspeed@yahoo.com.
I purchased a 2001 Intrepid ES in January '02 with a little more than 11,000 miles on it. For the first 3 years it worked just great. Then I hit 60,000 miles and the problems started. First was the coolant system. A fiberglass, yes fiberglass cap on the coolant system that has a bleeder valve on it began leaking. When I took it to my local dealer they told me it was failing because I had not "properly maintained the anti-freeze". Since I live in Arizona and know how important it is to do this I am religious about changing the anti-freeze and oil on a very regular basis.
When it finally failed it cost me $400 plus dollars just to get that one little cap replaced. No local repair shop would even touch it, saying that is was a dealer repair for sure. Several months later when I was getting my oil changed I was notified that I had a leak. I took it to the dealer and was told once more that it was because I was negligent in not getting my oil changed at the recommended cycles. I have been able to produce every service record done on the car since the day I purchased it and proved to the dealer rep that he was wrong.
Now, at 70,100 miles my car has died right in the middle of the road. I had it towed to a local mechanic (because I don't trust the dealer any more) and have been told that oil sludge has ruined the engine. I now have to pay to either extensively repair or replace the engine. Either way, I can't afford it.
Every car that I have owned has worked well, at the same mileage with the same maintenance record, except this one. Daimler/Chrysler's response thus far has soured me on ever buying another or their vehicles if this is what I have to look forward to.
If I had only read this before.
I loved my 01' Intrepid, but I have just spent 1,000.00 on a part that tells the transmission to change. After that, 2 days later the car begin to knock, now the dealership tells me that I need a new engine and it will cost a whopping 7,000 to fix. This is insane, it is around the holidays and I have a new baby on the way. The advice I got from the dealership is to purchase a new car, well does anyone know who will take a 01 in this condition?? I still owe 3500 on it. Ol' piece of junk!!!
We bought our son a 2001 dodge intrepid. He has a new baby and was on his way for the delivery when the cars died.He was able to make it to the dealer where we bought it from a used car lot at a ford dealer. We purchased an extended warranty, well guess what 7,000 dollars and ford if fighting chrysler and no one will fix the car. It was only 5 months ago the head gasket blew and it was covered with 100.00 deductable, now this is a nightmere. We need help anyone have any suggestions how do you fight the big three? I am at such a loss the babys in the hospital and my son has a bleeding ulcer over this and I'm trying to fight a warranty, life is good judst don't, but an intrepid. lisa L detroit michigan.