I was driving to work in Connecticut. I was in heavy traffic just past the george Washington bridge when my 2000 Dodge Intrepid car stalled and overheated. I manged to pull off the road safely at about exit 12 in the bronx after waiting 3 hours for a tow truck, one finally show up (from autorama towing). I was towed to their car shop. Upon arrival at their shop they asked me what happened with the car. I went on to explain what happened. The car stalled temperarily and the temperature needle climbed quickly to hot. Luckily I managed to get off to the side on the highway after struggling with the steering wheel. I waited for awhile to let the car cool off and then tried to start the car. It didn't. the car was disabled. It was not drivable at that point. The only recourse was towing. At firsty the car shop mechanic diagnosed the car as having a cracked thermostat housing cover. And that the themostat had seized from overheat. The mechanic proceeded to do the repairjob. Upon his completion (as he was getting ready to turn the car over to me) he called me over and said, I have bad news. He told me that the engine was also damaged. At first he tried to turn on the car, and it did momentarily but then it stalled. He proceeded to show me that the engine oil and antifreeze had mixed so much that the engine seized. At this point I was told that the engine was unusable and needed replacement. I had the car towed back home in staten island where I got a second opinion to confirm that my engine was not useable and had to be replaced. I am now in the process of doing that at my cost. Not a cheap thing to do, not to mention that safety worries and aggravations I've experienced. As a consumer I don't claim to know alot about cars, but in my opinion this engine has gone bad prematurely and is unreliable.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

While driving 45 mph, the engine stalled. The consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed. Prior to the vehicle stalling the engine was pinging and knocking. No waring light illuminated indicating a failure. After the vehicle was towed it was checked by a technician. It was determined that teh vehicle was 1 1/2 quarts low on oil although the vehicles oil was changed 3 weeks prior.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

I own a 2000 Dodge Intrepid with the 2.7 L engine. In January of 2003 a tapping in the engine occurred, but every time I took it to the dealer it would stop. It had gone on for quite awhile as the dealer couldn't do anything until he heard the noise. When they finally could hear the noise, first they said the engine had blown, then called back to say the timing chain tension had broken apart. They repaired this. In January 2004 the same thing happened again. We went through the same sequence of events with the noise as the first time. It was March 2004 when they were finally able to detect the noise and made an appointment to have it repair in four days. Their comment to me when I asked if I should be driving the car was, "we wouldn't let the car go if we didn't think it was ok." I drove it the next day and the tapping was present; the following day it wouldn't start. They towed the car in. The prognosis was, the engine had blown. The rods went through the pistons. This was at 80,000 miles. The car was out of commission for over a month. I have the 100,000 mile extended warranty and they wouldn't cover the cost of repair. The car was only worth $5,500 and repairs extended beyond that. I had the engine rebuilt from a private business. A Dodge mechanic later informed us that they have replaced many of these particular engines along with the mechanic who rebuilt mine. I guess now I know why the Dodge Intrepid can't hold it's value. Only 4 years old and with a depreciation of $5,000 per year. I was told to keep all the old parts in case a recall occurred.

- Cloquet, MN, USA

While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer tried to restart vehicle, but was unable to do so. Consumer coasted the vehicle to the shoulder. Then, had the vehicle towed to repair shop, and mechanic determined that the engine needed replacement due to a blown head gasket. Consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred more than once, and the problem had not been resolved.

- Hinesville, GA, USA

While driving at 40 mph consumer heard a light tapping sound coming from the engine. Several weeks later, engine started to tap very loudly. A certified mechanic examined the vehicle and found that a new engine was needed. Engine and belts were replaced.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

2000 Dodge Intrepid, with approx. 75K miles, engine started "ticking" and "knocking" very loud, and then car seized up. Had it towed to mechanic.....bearing failure and metal shavings.....engine needs to be replaced.

- Macomb Twp., MI, USA

-heavily sludge engine, bent valves, replaced with a used engine. -

- Trenton, NJ, USA

Engine died due to sludge buildup. The consumer had gone to get an oil change and was told that the serpentine belt was cracking. The oil light had come on and the dealer stated that the sensor needed to be replaced. After the consumer picked up the vehicle from the dealer for the repair of the sensor, the oil light had come back on. After about two miles of driving, the engine failed. The consumer found that the engine failed due to sludge.

- Dover, NJ, USA

Consumer stated that engine shut down completely. Consumer took the vehicle to a mechanic who had a Dodge representative there. It was determined that the engine was dead and a replacement would cost several thousand dollars. The engine would knock and generated very little power. The manufacturer is unwilling to repair or replace the engine although they are aware of the 2.7 liter engine's problem.

- West Chester, OH, USA

Engine failure, left alone, wife and two kids 30 miles from nearest town on two lane road, on vacation in Florida, 400 miles from home.

- Snellville, GA, USA

I own a 200 Dodge Intrepid that has been in the shop since March 28, 2004. The initial diagnosis was sludge in the engine (cylinder head, tensioner to the timing chain) the warranty company refused to pay. I agreed to the 1500 repair. After the repair then they say the oil pump is broke and the warranty company pays for that. After that is replaced they call and state that the valves are bent. After six weeks, the service manager states that he told the warranty company that he recommended that the engine be replaced. I was never told about an engine replacement until then and I let the service manager know that at this point I feel that they did not know what they were doing and that I would have removed my car from the shop. Well my car is still at ewald automotive this day I brought a replacement car at an auction on May 8, 2004. My son has talked with the general manager who stated that he was not aware of the problem. Although nice, he has not done anything to remedy this dilemma. I have since done research on the net and have found a lot of the same story with the car. I did email Chrysler on the onset of this problem asking why no warning. The response from them was that the car was not equipped to give me a warning.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

While driving 45 mph, the vehicle started making a loud noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. Without warring vehicle engine stall. Vehicle was towed, technician notice engine needed replacement.

- Blanchard, OK, USA

Consumer complained about engine problem. Sludge was found at the base of the engine. Consumer feared that the engine will stop working. Consumer stated that the vehicle was being properly maintained.

- Canada, 00, USA

While driving a knocking noise was heard from underneath. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined engine needed to be replaced due to an oil build up.

- Marysville, OH, USA

The vehicle's engine produced a large amount of sludge which caused the vehicle to sound very loud. The cause has not been determined. Please provide any additional information.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

While driving, suddenly there was a banging and clanging noise, from the engine compartment. It was discovered that the timing belt came off the tensioner pulley. Please provide additional information.

- Freeburg, IL, USA

2000 Dodge Intrepid with 37K miles had total engine failure while driving. Dealership states failure was due to sludge in engine.

- Erie, PA, USA

Engine failure due to malfunction of oil distribution of the 2.7 liter engine.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

While driving at 45 mph, suddenly there was a knocking noise in the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, who indicated that the engine had gummed up, which caused the timing chain tensionor to stick in the opened position. They also, indicated that this is a common problem with these engine and the manufacture was aware of the problem, but a remedy or improvement part hasn't been found. The entire engine needed to be replaced.

- Clarksburg, WV, USA

Consumer took vehicle to dealer for stalling problem, and consumer thought it was the starter. However, the motor was rattling so badly that consumer had to turn it off. It was then determined that the 2.7 liter engine failed.

- Marysville, WA, USA