10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 7
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 65,827 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The vehicle stalled without warning.
- Charlotte, NC, USA
Consumer heard a "tapping" noise coming from the motor and front wheel area. Dealer diagnosed that there was no oil on dip stick and motor oil level was low. Vehicle was serviced and problem resolved. After driving for 5 days the "tapping" noise returned at speeds of 65 mph. Consumer took vehicle back the to dealer who diagnosed that oil sludged was in the motor and the rods were burned on the top and bottom of motor with metal shavings in motor. The dealer stated the vehicle needed a new engine.
- San Francisco, CA, USA
I own a 2000 Intrepid by Dodge with approximately 43000 miles on it. The engine has been blown and I was informed that we have to pay for the repair to be done because of sludge in the engine.. I have an extended warranty on this vehicle that I bought at the time of purchase.. because of the fact that we do our own oil changes and the only thing we are guilty of is not keeping receipts that we have bought oil and filters to change it.. we have documentation on dates and mileage that we have had them done.. in fact the last one was done at a place of business. The vehicle started making a clanking noise while I was driving, no warning light or any such light came on the instrument panel whatsoever I proceeded to pull over in a parking lot and shut the car off, and it would not start, I had the car towed to dealership..they have now had my car for 3 weeks at the dealership. Dodge corporate is saying that they have nothing to do with this complaint because of the fact that the extended warranty is not through them, the dealership can use whom ever they want to for extended warranties. I have searched many complaints and this is an ongoing problem with these engine's. my extended warranty is for 7 years or 75000 mile which ever comes first.. I had a different dealership look at my car first and we had to pay them almost $400 to have them look at the vehicle and tell us the warranty people will not fix it. They also informed us that the time chaining had blown and when that happens yes there will be sludge and whatever else. Which why you have to replace the whole engine. I have researched this and know that there is numerous complaints on this particular car and engine. Please can you advise and help.. as an added note the car also smells like it is burning oil.
- Blue Springs, MO, USA
Total engine failure.
- Memphis, TN, USA
I own a 2000 Chrysler Intrepid V6-2.7 liter vehicle. At 57,442 miles I noticed a ticking noise coming from the engine of the car. The dealership I purchased the car from diagnosed the engine noise as a non-compressing or extending timing chain tensioner. The tensioner was replaced and the cost was covered under my 60,000-mile warranty. Last week I noticed the same ticking noise while I was driving the car. Before I could reach a safe destination the car engine completely stopped running at 64,222 miles. After coming to a stop the car would not start again. I had the car towed to the dealership to be looked at and told the service advisor I heard the same timing chain noise that occurred at 57,442 miles. The dealership service advisor stated that they were able to start the car for a short period of time and also checked the engine oil. The service advisor informed me that I would need a new engine at a price of approximately $6,700"! I asked the service advisor if a diagnostic test was performed and he said ??no?". by looking at my oil level and listening to my engine noises the service advisor recommended an entirely new engine. I was accused of not changing my engine oil regularly even though I do. I asked about repairing non-working parts of the engine but the service advisor told me it would most likely cost more than a new engine considering the labor hours involved with this type of repair. The service advisor was so sure that I needed a new engine after only checking the oil and listening to the engine noises. I have found web sites with hundreds of people having similar problems with the V6-2.7 liter Dodge/Chrysler engine (engine failure without warning, very prematurely, and dealerships they went to said they didn't change their oil often enough).
- West Seneca, NY, USA
The mechanics were unable to correct the stalling/rough ride problems. In attempts to repair the problems the dealer cleaned and replaced the spark plugs and replaced the fuel system. When the vehicle felt as if it were going to stall, the consumer smelled sulfur coming from the engine area and the check engine light illuminated.
- Abingdon, MD, USA
I own a 2000 Intrepid with 29000 on it and the engine has blown on it (premature engine failure) and it is still under warranty and daimler Chrysler has refused to pay costs related to this because I don't have all my receipts for oil changes. It is a 2.7 L engine and they are aware of engine sludge problems with this engine and they will not pay any costs toward a repair bill which they have quoted at $8000. Initially the engine caught on fire and they made my insurance company pay for the repairs and then 30 miles later the engine was blown and they say because my husband did the oil changes and we don't have all the receipts for oil purchases they will not pay the bill. We have the receipts for the winter months( of which I have only had the car for one winter and I have that receipt and the receipt for oil and flushing fluid after the fire started they now say we need the receipts for all oil changes. I have looked at other web sites for premature engine failure with that same engine size and there are many under Chrysler engine sludge and I have a family member who has worked in the auto industry for 20 years and knows that Chrysler is having a problem with this particular size having engine sludge and it is well known among the mechanics but they will not come forward for fear of losing their jobs.
- St. Clair Shores, MI, USA
The vehicle started to shake and the check engine light appeared on the dashboard.
- Bellville, IL, USA
Without any prior warning car would not start after stopping to get gas. Car was towed to dealer where it was discovered that the timing chain had shattered sending slivers of metal throughout the engine causing compression problem, damaging pistons, and causing water pump to seize up. Needless to say I'm now looking to buy engine for a car that I've had for under 24months and still have 36+months to go on my note with the engine only having 65K. Note the driver side seat back did break and I've had to have speed sensor replace all of this within the last 17 months.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
The vehicle stalled without warning.
- Rochester, NY, USA
Timing chain broke and valves were damaged, which (according to mechanics) virtually is unheard of on such a late model car. Not only are mechanics refusing to repair the problem (because of the type of engine), they are saying I will probably need a new engine (upwards of $3500 in cost). Several mechanics expressed that they have seen several people with this problem who have the 6 cylinder, 2.7 liter engine on this year, make and model of car. Basically, I was told that working on this problem with this type of car is a big headache, and "they won't touch it". why hasn't this problem been recalled?
- Detroit, MI, USA
Without warning, the timing belt shattered metal throughout the engine and the vehicle stopped. Manufacturer notified.
- East Peoria, IL, USA
About 3 weeks ago while driving vehicle stopped suddenly. Consumer was able to get it restarted and drove it home. Engine light came on. Mechanic said problem was the sensor, later, after 2 diagnotic testings, she found out that valve spring was broken.*
- Grand Rapid, MI, USA
Vehicle is leaking coolant from the release valve located behind the radiator. Please send in further information.
- Kent, WA, USA
While driving 60-70 mph there was a loud noise under the hood; then, vehicle stalled. Consumer opened hood, and saw several large cracks on engine, oil was everywhere. Vehicle towed to repair shop. Mechanic determined that tensioner spring broke. Engine needed to be replaced.
- Haslett, MI, USA
At low speeds vehicle will stall. Consumer feels this is unsafe because theres a chance of vehicle being rear ended. Driver contacted dealer, and dealer replaced crank sensor.
- Grand Junction, CO, USA
When making a left or right turn vehicle just cut off without prior warning. Dealership was aware of problem.
- Trumbell, CO, USA
- Belleville, MI, USA