1998 Dodge Intrepid ES from North America - Comments

Starter and battery replaced at 62,000 Cost $380.

One out of two fan motors replaced at 65,000. It made a loud noise and it caused air conditoning to not work. Cost $400.

Rear sway bar replaced 69,000. Cost $280.

Inner tie rods replaced at 72,000. Cost $410.

Timing belt water pump and one tensioner replaced 82,000. Cost $1200.

Second Tensioner had to be replaced 105,000. Cost $380.

Currently the car has 120,000 miles and one of the front hub bearings needs replacing, the transmission is now slipping and is having internal problems and needs to be replaced or rebuilt.

And to top it off 2 weeks ago it started making a loud noise and then it started to smoke.

It smells like a rubbery smoke smell, like one of the belts, and now I cannot drive it, its just siting out side. I will be putting it in the repair shop agin for the millionth time.

Cost for a rebuilt transmission $2500, hub bearing $300, and unknown price for the smoking issue.

I am 21 years old and my parents bought me the car in 2002 for my senior year in high school.

It is a nice looking car with lots of room and performace, and its fully loaded with every thing,leather,moon roof, CD, more, but the issues it has is unbearable for anyone.

The car has had a list of other little things that I didn't have space to mention above, such as electrical issues, like the power seats that barely work anymore,or the passenger window not rolling down.

This car has cost me and my parents lots of money, and for a college student like myself its not worth it.

Geeze, man. Sorry to hear about all your problems. I've had a lot of similar problems with my 2000 Ford Focus. When I was in college, however, I drove a 1995 Honda Civic DX Hatchback... and I'm convinced EVERY student should be driving one of these. Kids need something that's absolutely going to hold up to some serious college abuse. ;)

Hey everyone, I am posting a review on my own comment, because I want you guys to know the deal on my Intrepid es and why it was smoking. I took it to the repair shop and it turns out that the problem was pretty minor. It wasn't engine damage like I was thinking, it was due to my tensioner freezing up, and the belt was still trying to spin. They told me that there was no damage to the belt, and all I need is to replace the tensioner. I know what your thinking, because on my post I wrote that I replaced two of the tensioners already. This makes the third time I will be replacing one. I told them to also fix the hub bearing and I am having them put new tires on as well. The next thing is to get the transmission rebuilt. After that I have to make up my mind as to keep it or sell it and get a Lexus GS400. What do you guys think.

Hey everyone, I am posting this comment on this particular review as its my own review titled "Nice car, but financial nightmare. I wanted to let you all know that I am having yet another issue with my Intrepid ES with 3.2 L v6 engine. You see, I was on my way to the dentist going about 35 mph when all of a sudden the car died out on me. The rpm gauge went crazy as it was going from about 800 rpm all the way to 6600 rpms all which happen while the engine had already cut off. I was stuck on the side of the road on a very busy monday eving commute. Some one did help me push it into this business parking lot I was next to, to prevent my car from being hit by all the traffic.

I had the car towed to a near by pep boys as I just recently had my tensioner replaced there. the next day they called me and said that I need a new engine. They said that they did a compression check and that the car had no compression. They said that it appears that the timing belt is broken or loose and that because of that it caused certain parts of the engine to hit each other and bend them. They told me this, but they did not actually see if the belt had broke or not. It seemed as if they made the conclusion with out looking further into it. The symtom is that when you are trying to start it you hear a spinning sound. This happen to me before about a year and a half ago, the exact same symtoms and all it needed was a new tensioner that had frozen up. It only costs about $380 dollars, (and by the way I mentioned it in my review). So now I will have it towed to the dealer ship where they will do a complete inspection because honestly I don't believe that it needs a new engine, my gut tells me it just needs another tensioner like before. If it does need a engine which I doubt, I will more than likely fix it and keep it a bit longer and sell it. tell me what you guys think.

Um sir I hate to inform you, but about 75% of the 3.2 and 3.5 liter engines will fail. This is due to either the water pump or tensioner locking up while the engine is running. When this happens it will tear the timing belt apart. When your timing belt breaks your cams will stop spinning while your engine continues to make its last revolution and the pistons will hit your valves and bent them. When that happens the shop always tells you that you need a new motor. I have purchase about twenty-five intrepids with this problem, because broke down they are not worth much. Then I get a new water pump, timing belt, tensioner, head gasket set and however many valves I need, all of this from mopar costs about $450.00. then I spend about half a day fixing them to turn around and make a quick profit.

You were absoultly right. I took my intrepid ES to the dodge dealership. they told me at first that my car needed a new timing belt, tentioner, and water pump. they did all of that which totaled up to about $1,500. Then it still wouldn't start. They told me that it had no compression and that more than likely its due to the values bending. they will let me know tomarrow what the final cost will be. I have taken very good care of the car and still looks new. Since my parents paid it off for me I decided to fix it and keep it a little longer. maybe in another year or so I will decide to sell it.

Just found out a couple days ago by the dealer that the valves did indeed bend due to the timing belt issue. The rest of the engine is fine, jsut the valve issue. I have decided to fix the issue which is about 2,200 plus the 1,500 I owed for the timing belt, water pump and Tentioner. Total cost about 3,800. Since the car is paid for and the fact that it still looks new and no other major issue is wrong with it I will keep it untill it gives out for good. Hopefully it won't be soon.