1999 Dodge Intrepid SE from North America - Comments

I bought my intrepid in 2002 with about 55k and the first problem was the thermostat about 3 months after I got it. Next was the pulling to the right, but after 2 alignments that was fixed. After that struts, bearings and bushings had to be replaced and like others my oil light comes on when I brake sometimes. Now my oil plug is stripped and might need to replace the gasket too!

All I can say to you American car buyers is... RESEARCH THE CAR BEFORE BUYING IT.

Also to the post above mine, DON'T USE CAPS-LOCK.

I own a 1999 Dodge Intrepid that I recently purchased used. Here's a list of the problems that I've had so far (3 months) :

-Electric fans go out (both) and A/C stops working due to this, and only blows nasty dirty air.

-Check engine light comes on and turns off when it wants.

-Both rear passenger windows (electric) stop working for no reason, and all fuses are intact.

-A/C goes out yet again, with system fully recharged and new clutch and compressor installed.

-Trunk lid hydraulic jacks both go out simultaneously, so now the trunk falls completely down and does not stay up on its own.

-Driver side windshield wiper does not wipe properly, even with several new pairs of blades installed. Apparently from my research, this is due to the extra long curvature of the glass and warping of the metal from the hinges of the wiper struts.

-Headlight lenses have turned completely yellow and opaque, making illumination at night extremely difficult. This is probably attributed to cheap, clear plastic and exposure to the elements.

-Extra long dashboard has developed what began as a hairline crack in the dead center, but has now evolved into a huge crevasse.

It is my opinion, and from the previous entries, the opinions of many others that 1998-2004 series Dodge Intrepid should be recalled immediately. It is a shame that company like Mercedes-Benz, which prides itself on luxury, quality, and durability (not to mention customer service) could produce and be associated with a cheap and troublesome company like Dodge and Chrysler. I will never again purchase a Daimler-Chrysler related vehicle for as long as I shall live due to the problems that I have encountered with this very vehicle and the lack of customer service and resolve that I've seen associated with it. The people at Dodge are some of the most downright scummiest on the planet. They will feed you all kinds of B/S, simply to put you into one of the lemons that they have on the lot that day. If anyone has information on any class-action lawsuits or recalls that I can be made aware of, please email me @ energysentinel@gmail.com.

I also own a 1998 Intrepid: Ugh.

The oil light blinks when you hit the brake, the interior lights blink at any given moment, the paint is chipping off around front windshield. I have replaced the radiator, starter, cooling fan system x2 June of 05 and again in September of 05, (today found out that the cooling fan isn't working again, so here comes x3, that of course is how I found this site, researching the cooling system. I love this car, but now everything seems to be falling apart all at once. In the last two months it has been towed home twice and at the mechanics three times. When does it end?

HI

I just bought my dodge intrepid 3 week ago. All was good out side of the trunk struts bad (fixed for 50.00) and the door locks not working and some minor body damage. I was driving to see grandma when the car died. I was in a curve and had to cost thru it with out any power steering. After spending about 1 hour waiting for a tow truck in the 100 + degrees temp we had here in Dallas. Monday morning the repair shop open up. They said that the main timing chain tensioner pulley broke. And with out them looking at the valves, they assumed that at least one if not more were bent. The motor is shot I could pay 4000.00 in labor for them to rebuild it and at least 1000.00 in parts. Or go with a used motor that has 60,000 miles on it for 4000.00 installed.

Well I live on Disability income and money like that is just not around for me.

Yes this was my first and will be my last dodge.

Add me to the constantly growing list of Dodge Intrepid owners.

I too, own the infamous 2.7 liter V-6 in a 1999 Intrepid. I am not the average or status quo owner, obviously since my Intrepid has 160k miles on it now. But I must say, after owning a 1995 Intrepid and then the 1999, Chrysler has some problems with this car (drive-train) that need to be addressed.

I love this body style and the roominess of the car, but it seems that Dodge "cuts corners" on a lot of the materials or components used in the construction of this car.

I too have replaced the radiator cooling fans after smelling the "burnt wire" smell at a cost of $500.

The air conditioner compressor will not work when the cooling fan doesn't work, by the way.

I had the driver's side window repaired after it fell out of the track at a cost of $500.

I should mention too that I had the transmission in the 1995 Intrepid rebuilt twice. Both times out of warranty at a cost of $1500 a pop.

And after being told that I couldn't park in the parking garage at work due to the oil leak (more specifically 'pour'), I recently replaced the oil pan gaskets and real main seal. I did both of these repairs myself at a severe cost to my 50 year old body.

I now have no air conditioning which is apparently due to a leak in the evaporator, so I have to tear the dash out.

I replaced the fuel pump (did it myself) at a cost of $500 just for the parts.

The transmission output speed sensor went out the first day and it wouldn't change from second gear, so I had to drive it 42 miles to the dealer to be fixed (they caught the tab for that one, but the thing only cost $18).

Needless to say, I am patching this car together to get maybe six more months out of it and I get my oldest son established in college. Then it will be pushed, dragged or airlifted to the nearest Toyota lot and disposed of. Needless to say, they won't give me too much for it since they know about the "infamous 2.7".

I tried to trade it about 5 months ago and they said they would allow me $500 for trade. It wouldn't be worth fixing the fan or window again!! The mechanics at the Dodge dealership know this engine has a problem with sludging. I will say that after dropping the oil pan, the sludge problem is mainly in the top of the engine. So far, I haven't had any sign of failure, but you never know!!!

Add me also to the list of those who can honestly say "no more Mopar products". I personally wouldn't own a Hemi!!!

FOR SALE (CHEAP) 1999 Dodge Intrepid 2.7 engine bad valve, runs sometimes except it won't start right now. Headlights come on all by them selves at night when car is parked.a/c only works on high. replaced window motors fan motors. won't pass emissions (permanent waiver) in MD. just the normal piece of @#$% chrysler stuff going to buy a Toyota next time.

Unfortunately I too own a 99 intrepid, with the 2.7 liter. I bought it used in march of this year. Just 2 weeks after buying it The car would stall out on short drive and would not start back up until it completely cooled down. I found out it was the cam sensor. While waiting to get it fixed the starter went so I replaced both. The second day after replacing both parts the check engine light comes back on. I found out it was the power steering sensor. So I decided not to replace it cause it still started fine. the the oil level light would come on when ever I applied the brakes. but the oil level was fine. every mechanic that looked at it did not know why? now there is a loud noise coming from the engine and I was told that it was th c/s pulley that needed to be replace, but now the car went from starting then stalling with in a minute of starting, to the key not even turning over. let me tell you I will never own another 2.7 l engine in any dodge vehicle. I have own dodge vehicles prior to this one and never had a problem.

Hey I have a Dodge Intrepid 99. Does anyone know where the starter is located?? I cannot see it from under the car or on top.. If you could let me know that would be Sweet.

Thanks.

-Adam.

Sept. 10th,06

i haven't been on this site for awhile, I wasn't happy that people are still buying the "intrepid". I live in simi valley, ca anyone wishing to call me please do. I also own a broking down paid in cash 1999 intrepid on "her" 3rd rebuilt motor. yes I said 3rd. this one lasted almost one year! I know the dreaded noise she makes and had her towed to a auto shop in simi, forget "chrysler" their worthless!...please everyone go to www.autosafety.org/fileacomplaint.php...she's backed up in my drive way... went out and bought a 1990 camero just for driving around town for $1000 and had "chp" push me off freeway last week cause of electrical problems! I think I just start walking! good luck all... i also inform every intrepid owner in simi valley as to what will happen with their cars... immaryj@aol.com or marianne...805 813 0830.

I own a 1999 Intrepid with only 18,500 miles. I too also had my speed senors fail at approx 10,000 miles, my passenger side rear window will not go down, and the rest of the windows make a groaning noise when put up or down. I had it in to the dealership today for an inspection, oil change, and tune-up, and was told that it would never pass inspection because the whole undercarriage is rusted! This includes the brake lines, muffler, wheel wells...everything. The mechanic brought me in to see this and I was shocked at what I saw. When I asked him what could have caused this, he told me that if the car wasn't kept in a garage (which it's not) that the moisture from the air could cause it - or if you keep it sitting out in the snow, or heavy rain! I just looked at him, unable to comprehend what he was saying. I have owned a number of cars over the years - none of which were kept in a garage - and I have never seen anything like this. He then told me that to fix the problem, it would cost me at least $1,000 for the parts, and another $2,000 to $4,000 for the labor. To me, that is not worth it for a 1999 car, especially after reading about all the other problems with this car. It's a shame, because I do love the look and the ride of the car, but it's obvious the the quality of the workmanship on these cars is of the poorest level.

2001 Intrepid R/T - 42,000 miles (3.5 Engine) - Similar problems as others. The transmission has went into "Limp Mode - 2nd gear" and from other websites including this one, I was told to replace the input and output sensors. Not bad - $18.00/each & was easy to change. Hoping this would cure the problem at a low cost - I was wrong. The speedometer worked when the car was in Limp Mode & still does. I had it scanned & got the codes P1684 (Battery disconnected) & P0700 (Something about a transmission Malfunction) I'm trying to do this myself so I don't get raped by the dealer. Does anyone know what the P0700 code actually means? Someone mentioned a "transmission Control Module??? what is that? Where is it located? How much to replace?

Update:

Okay - I figured out the problem "cheaply" too.

Is your car in limp mode? Stuck in 2nd gear? If so, there are a couple "cheap" options you have. First thing I would check would be the speed sensors (about $18.00/each) there are two of them on the side of the transmission. Very easy to change. Sometimes this fixes the problem. It did not fix my problem. so, I called my cousin who works on transmissions and he told me to go to a junk yard and buy a transmission control module. It's basically the computer/brain of the transmission. It's not in the transmission, it's located on the driver's side front fender & it's about the size of a cigar box, and has a wiring harness with many wires going into it. I found one of these at a junk yard for $50.00 (must be same year as your car); take old one and compare numbers. I replaced the module and it fixed the problem.

Five it a try. It's cheaper than $2500 for a re-build. E-mail me with any questions

Thanks,

Mike

michaelmorgan@fuse.net.

OK, I have a 2000 Dodge Intrepid... about a week after I got it the ignition locked up... I could put the key in and it would turn backwards, but not forward. Had that replaced. Now I have a problem with the oil light coming on and flickering when I hit the brake, sitting with my foot on the brake and with the car running, but sitting in park. Any suggestions? Also my windows are touchy... most times they work, but sometimes they don't. Lastly, my door lock on my passenger side no longer works and makes a loud "buzzing" noise when it tries to work... anyone else? frurybrunt1@wmconnect.com.

Hmmm wow I guess that I can now be added to the list, i dont no if thats a good thing or a bad thing, I just today purchased the 1999 dodge intrepid from a government sale and I'm kinda afraid to drive it lol... is there anything good about the car or should I just ship it off before I have to deal with anything?

WOW - I never thought one model of car should have so much negative issues. Long story short, our 1999 has had most of the same problems as the other 230 people including A/C fan (2 new motors), shifting problems (not fixed yet), window motors (mostly rear), etc, etc. I will check this website for other cars I may buy first. By the way, sign me up for ANY class action on this troublesome model. slifed@mchsi.com.