While driving my vehicle I heard an unusual sound coming from under the hood when I raised the hood I couldn't see anything visibly wrong. I contacted my mechanic who told me the upper end of the engine is not receiving enough oil and he called it "oil starvation to the upper end of the motor" he also noticed that the car has a blue smoke coming from the exhaust. He told me that the engine is going to lock up if I continue to drive the vehicle. He also stated that the cost to replace the engine would be between $6000 and $6800. I currently owe $6000 on the vehicle and also the retail amount on the vehicle is below the amount to repair. My 2000 Dodge Intrepid only has 63233 miles. I have maintained proper maintenance on the vehicle. We have been changing the oil very 60 days or 3000 miles which ever comes first. I drive 70 miles per day to and from work and with the vehicle sitting in the garage and not being able to use it is making things very difficult not only for me and my husband but it causing problems with my employer.

- Marion, OH, USA

2000 Dodge Intrepid;began making knocking noise in engine and took to mechanic and he advised that engine was about to fail. It wasn't but a week later that my wife enroute home and the engine quit.

- Angier, NC, USA

It is very simple, it is the well known and well documented defective failure of the 2.7ll V6 engine made by Chrysler, we took good care of it, and it died just like the others, engine sludge destroys engine, we were driving 65 mph on rte 90 (mass pike). Lost power, made viscous knocking noises, stalled......had to have it towed.

- Worcester, MA, USA

I had a beautiful black 4 door Intrepid that I maintained very well and at the bank it started to knock and by the time I got 2 miles to my repair shop it was done. I had the guys tear it apart and fix the problem to the tune of almost a $1,000. It was my only car and I just bought it so I had no choice but being a single mother of 3 kids it put a major dent in my pocket. At the repair shop they suggested I get rid of it considering they could not guarantee how long it was going to last but couldn't afford to do that at the time. 4 months later it was back in the repair shop they fixed it again and bought me a for sale sign. Needless to say less then a month later it seized up, the people at the repair shop made me leave it there and took me home. They put it up for sale at their lot but in the end I couldn't make payments on something I couldn't drive and gave it back to the bank they are still trying to sell it at the auction. Loved my car but it ruined my credit with all the extra repair bills I had to make on it, wish it could have been fixed the first time.

- Ionia, MI, USA

My 2000 Dodge Intrepid motor blew without any warning. I changed the oil on or before it was due. No lights came on to warn me that the engine was getting hot. At 108,000 miles I have no car to drive but I still have 3500. To pay on it.

- Bad Axe, MI, USA

I was driving home from my daughter's house when I started to hear a slight tick coming from the motor. Being only a 30 miles from home on a Sunday I decided to drive it and have the car checked out on Monday. I never made it. 5 miles from home I heard a pop and the car stalled and never started again. I had it towed to the garage that told me the motor was dead and it would cost me $4500 to $5500 to fix. The oil was like sludge even though I changed it every 3000 - 3500 miles like clockwork.

- Dayville, CT, USA

I purchased a 2000 Dodge Intrepid from gary smith Ford of fort walton beach in early June 2005. Every since the day I purchased it, the vehicle has been overheating and breaking down intermittently. In the first month of ownership the vehicle was in the playground automotive repair shop (fort walton beach, fl) a total of 16 days. The repair shop kept stating they could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. The 2000 Dodge Intrepid has continued to overheat and breakdown sometimes in heavy traffic and numerous accidents have been narrowly averted. Gary smith Ford has been no assistance in correcting this problem and they have told me it's my problem not theirs. What are my options at this point?

- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA

I have experienced the well-documented problem with the failure of the 2.7L engine in Dodge Intrepid. Timing chain tensioner failed on start, timing chain slipped and bent all intake valves. Total engine replacement required.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

My 2000 Dodge Intrepid with a 2.7 liter engine has failed due to engine sludge. The sludge caused my timing chain tension device to fail as well as my oil pump rendering my vehicle inoperable. As a consequence, the vehicle will towed to a salvage yard with only 34,000 miles.

- Rockville, MD, USA

On June 14th 2006 my 2000 Dodge Intrepid was parked in my drive way and at about 1:00 a.M. I was awaken to my door bell ringing and my neighbors screaming get out the house there's a fire I didn't hesitate I was going out the back door to find out it was my vehicle that was on fire by the time I had made it out the car was starting to pop and was about to explode. The milwaukee fire dept. Arrived and put the fire out and had determined the fire started in the engine. I contacted damiler Chrysler and was told someone would be out to do an inspection in a few days. Days passed and I called back on June 19th and spoke with someone named jay who said there was no inspection needed. I then received a letter from the company saying that it was not their problem and to take the matter up with my insurance company. I tried calling the co back but was told there was nothing they could do for me. My serious concern is that daimler Chrysler was not concerned about the vehicle starting on fire especially in the engine.and their lack of concern for the consumers buying their vehicles and their safety. And why wouldn't they come out and do an inspection with something this serious. This makes me wonder what kind of company they are. Are they that big that their consumers safety doesn't matter and do they feel they are untouchable when it comes to serious matters. What if I would have been in the car with my children" and we all would have died? then what" I have never in my life been treated this way with something so serious and then being told not to call their office again makes me really think something is wrong. I tried contacting the dealership andrew Chevy and was told that there was nothing they could do for me.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

Internal engine failure. Replaced engine (crysler 2.7L).

- Palmyra, PA, USA

: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the driveway for 2 hours it caught on fire. The fire started in the engine compartment spreading thought out the entire vehicle. There was a fire report filed at the scene. There were no prior problems with the vehicle. The dealer was alerted and determined an inspector would need to inspect the vehicle. A letter received from the manufacturer stating there was no need for an inspection. Updated 7/11/2006 - the consumer contacted the manufacturer and was told not to contact their office again as the fire was not their problem. Per the crd chief used the most current incident date (internet voq request).

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

I have a defective 2.7 L engine in my car. I had just pulled into a driveway when it quit. The timing chain guides broke, and there was so much sludge in the engine it looked like the oil had never been changed. I have always had my oil changed every 3000 miles. I had the engine steamed 7 months prior to this incident for sludge buildup. I also spent around $2000 having every single sensor replaced, as well as all of the hoses in the engine and transmission. I had to have the steering line fixed less than 2 months after I purchased the vehicle. I had no idea that there were so many people with the same engine problems as I have had out of this car. I have lost my job, and my children have missed so many doctor and dentist appointments that I have lost count I still owe 2 years on this car, but how do you pay for something that has turned out to be America's biggest death trap when you can't keep it running?

- Arley, AL, USA

Defective engine failed due to timing chain issue. Car has only 41,000 miles on it and has been well maintained with oil changes, etc. Chrysler does not want to take any responsibility for the faulty design in the engine. Engine cannot be repaired, must be replaced at a cost of $6,000. I am still investigating other complaints and gathering more back-up material before I am willing to give up my fight with Chrysler.

- Elmwod Park, NJ, USA

I purchased my 2000 Dodge Intrepid in late 2005, had it two months and the car quit while driving on interstate highway. I immediately had it towed to a mechanic, they had it from before christmas until this month(June). They were rebuilding the engine, couldn't get it to stay in time, etc. We have now had to tow it to another mechanic and he looked at it and said he couldn't fix it. I have made seven payments without being able to drive it. I am disabled and it is a hassle when I need to go to the doctor and I have to see if I can get a ride.

- Talking Rock, GA, USA

I have a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. I was driving home from work. Engine started making noise. Stopped at a light in traffic and engine failed and would not start. I was in the center lane of a three lane highway with traffic passing on either side. Was unable to even get out of my car. A police car pulled up behind and put his lights on and was able to push me to the side of the road. I then called a tow truck. It was frightening and dangerous situation. I was unable to pay for the repairs or trade the car in. I was forced to purchase another car and still pay off the remainder of the Intrepid.

- Matteson, IL, USA

I have a 2000 Dodge Intrepid w/the 2.7L motor. The motor failed at 66K miles because of sludge. I am now aware that Chrysler has a major design flaw w/ these motors. I purchased the car w/an 8yr/80K mile warranty and they will not honor it. My main issue is that it failed while my wife was driving it and she could have been killed or have killed someone because of this failed engine. This 2.7L motor is very dangerous and vulnerable to failure at any time. The motor has major design flaws which makes it have excess sludge buildup. Chrysler should recall any car w/these 2.7L motors to prevent people from being killed.

- Uniontown, PA, USA

: the contact stated without warning, at 55 mph, the engine began to make a loud banging noise. The vehicle was pulled over and turned off. When attempting to restart, the engine did not respond. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop, where it was determined the timing chain failed because of oil sludge. The consumer was told the engine was bad, it was not the timing chain. Updated 12/28/06.

- Fort Gratiot, MI, USA

: the contact stated while traveling 40 mph, the oil light illuminated and the engine began to knock, then the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop, where it was determined the timing chain snapped because of oil sludge build up.

- Lancaster, NY, USA

On February 14, 2006 my husband was coming home when the car quit. He let it cool off and then proceeded to drive home. The next day he was going to work and when he pulled into his employers parking lot he noticed his car was on fire. He put it out right away. We called a tow truck to have it towed to the Dodge dealership. We were informed that the water pump went out and needed to be replaced. They also replaced the timing chain and other parts. In may we were going to a graduation in Wyoming when our car broke down on interstate. Again we had to have it towed to a dealership where we were informed we needed a new engine at the cost of $6000. We do not have that kind of money to fix the car. We are now renting a car until we can decide what to do with the car. We would like to get information on what Dodge is doing to help other customers who have had this same problem.

- Rapid City, SD, USA