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 contact states vehicle stalled and the engine died immediately. She was unable to restart the engine. The vehicle had to be towed to an independent repair shop. The mechanic discovered sludge in the engine. He rebuilt the engine, and suggested that the contact use a thinner type of oil in the future. Currently, the problem recurred.
- Maryville, TN, USA
I own a 2000 Dodge Intrepid 2.7 engine that has failed at 76,000 miles after searching the internet, I have noticed there are a lot of 2.7 engine owners that have failed as well. Please help and lets stop Chrysler from ripping the general public off by selling an engine that is not reliable. Thanks for any help, even the Chrysler dealership tells me that the 2.7 engine is junk and was junk when it was new.
- Weatherford, OK, USA
Was driving home from work and engine started making a loud horrible knocking sound. Had it checked by a mechanic and he said there was sludge in it.
- Knoxville, TN, USA
The contact heard a ticking noise coming from the lower end of the engine. Approximately a week ago the contact's son told him the oil light was flickering on and off. When he changed the oil he found a metallic shimmer in the oil with larger flakes of metal. The vehicle has been routinely maintained. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer to determine the problem.
- Louisville, KY, USA
Engine made noise. Took to dealer who stated the car needed a new engine. The car has 85,000 mile, used by experienced drivers. Serviced fairly regularly approximately every 4000 to 5000 miles. Dealer says car has lot of sludge. We fail to understand why a serviced car should have lot of sludge. Was the service done properly" is the Intrepid designed badly"
- Mountainside, NJ, USA
My car suddenly began to stall. I drove it to the dealer today. It stalled several times on a busy road on the way to the dealer. Luckily, the car was followed by someone who was giving me a ride home. The dealer told me that my car, a 2000 Dodge Intrepid, had an engine full of sludge and needed to be replaced for $7300. Chrysler will only help if I can provide proof of oil changes every 3000 miles. I did change the oil regularly but often had it done here at home and have no such proof. This stalling was dangerous and could have resulted in an accident.
- Winooski, VT, USA
Approximately 15 months after purchasing our used Intrepid, the engine locked up. Up to that point it was almost perfect, other than the crazy noise that came from the window mechanism. While driving to work about 4am the car just quit. I lost power steering and brakes when it went. I was able to avoid the other vehicles on the road and made it to the side of the road and hit a road sign, which damaged the hood of my car. I went to get an opinion and an estimate, I was told this was a common thing happening with the 2.7L engines in the Intrepid and I needed a new engine! $5,500, not my idea of possible. It is still sitting in my driveway an eyesore and a financial burden. I maintain the payments and the insurance on the car although I can't drive it, and like most of the other people affected by this mess, I had to get another vehicle to replace it. I personally, am ready for a fight.
- Ekron, KY, USA
I do not have the date of my very first incident. I was sitting at a stop light and the engine cut off. It started up with no problem so I continued my errands. At my next stop, when I came out to leave, the car would not start. I had to call for roadside assistance thru my insurance company. The person was able to start my car. On the night of October 29th at about 9 pm my daughter and I were both in the car when all of a sudden the RPM guage went to zero and the engine quit right in the middle of the road. The power stearing went out but I was able to get us to the side of the road before being hit by another car. I tried at least eight times to start the car without success. So we sat there hoping we would not be side swiped by the cars coming up behind us. I tried to start the car one more time before I called for roadside assistance and the car started. We went down the road and turned around to head back home. About a mile from our home the engine died again. I just thank god that again I was able to get us over to the side of the road without being hit by another car. This time the engine started on the third or fouth try and we were able to make it home without incident. The car has been parked every since. I plan to take it into the local dealer for service on 11/04/05 and was doing research online about the problem I was having with the car and discovered a website that described my incident exactly. Now I know it is an engine problem.
- Alameda, CA, USA
The contact stated that vehicle was making a ratcheting sound. There were no warning lights illuminating, indicating that there was a problem with the vehicle. Upon inspection, a local mechanic found there was massive sludge build-up in the engine. The mechanic replaced the timing chain, timing chain cover, and the oil pan. The engine may have to be replaced, but at this time they were going to try to repair the vehicle. There has been routine maintenance performed on the vehicle. Updated 1/11/2006. The replacement parts did not resolve the problem and the engine had to be replaced.
- Alexandria, VA, USA
2000 Dodge Intrepid low oil warning light on even after engine flushing and numerous oil changes.
- Orlando, FL, USA
To whom it may concern, I was around 700 miles from home for my son's wedding in may and the engine started to knock, my husband who is a certified auto mechanic by the state of Ohio for over 25 years looked it over and found nothing. The next day we were driving back home and the knocking stopped. The car drove fine after that and did not make the noise again. We always had the oil changed every 3000 miles and we have always used synthetic oil in the car. 1 month later on my way to work I was driving on state route 571 when the car started jerking and stopping then starting again I almost got rearended by a semi truck before I could get the car off the road. I called my husband to tell him what had happened I was very shook up scared out of my mind I thought I was going to be ran over by a semi. He told me to drive on the side of the road until I could turn off on a side road so I did. I was able to nurse it home and take another car to work that day. We took it down to the Chrysler dealer in town and they told us there was sludge in the oil and told us it would be 7200 dollars to fix the car I don't have that kind of money laying around so the car is sitting in my driveway while I try to come up with the money to fix it.
- New Carlisle, OH, USA
Motor sludge, timing chain, motor locked up after $1500.
- Sebring, FL, USA
2000 Dodge Intrepid engine failure - 82,000 miles.
- Louisville, KY, USA
2000 Dodge Intrepid with 60,000 miles started knocking, then changed oil (had run synthetic life of car) and it was sludge. Then, a few weeks later car died and showed oil light when off; making loud rod knocking noise. Cannot drive. Needs $5,000 engine, and still owe Chrysler for 3 years.
- Coatesville, IN, USA
My engine has sludge build up. My ex-husband and my 2 mechanics have all taken classes offered by Dodge because of the defects in their 2.7L engine. They were told by a Chrysler instructor during a training class for 5 star mechanics/dealerships that Chrysler has identified 8 items needing upgrades in regards to the 2.7L engine and that the engine was faulty from the manufacturer. I have lifetime oil changes with the dealership that I bought my car from. I take it in regular according to my owner's manual. Two days before I parked it (one week after my routine oil change) my car had a rattling sound from under the hood. I took it to my mechanic, he told me the above information. I went to my other mechanic and my ex-husband and all agreed with the above information.
- Kennewick, WA, USA
Traveling at 70 mph when a light tapping followed by an immediate loss of power and steering causing an emergency pull off from the passing lane of the highway. Several attempts at a restart resulted in a sound like bolts in a coffee can. Engine oil filler tube showing severe sludge deposit. This car has been well maintained.
- Camp Hill, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. Purchased vehicle with 50, 000 miles on it. The next day drove car and felt vibration in front end. Thought it may be tires. Consumer had the tires balanced and that did not fix the problem. Then, the oil light came on. The pressure gauge came on during idling. Took vehicle back to dealership and they replaced the oil pressure gauge. But, problem still not fixed. The transmission acted funny, when applying brakes vehicle would not slow down, it was like it was still in gear.the steering made noises when turning it to the right or left, a clanking noise. The rear suspension clanked every time hitting a bump. The engine had a high pitched wining. This happened as soon as vehicle was purchased.
- Ashland , OR, USA
2000 Dodge Intrepid 2.7L engine failure......2nd time.
- Eaton, OH, USA
Car engine locked up while driving my car, at 55 mph. I was very lucky that I had no traffic behind me. I came to a complete stop at the side of the road and had my car towed to a local garage. And I was told that the engine of my Intrepid is dead. The problem is sludge build up in the engine. I just replaced this engine 1 year ago and only use synthetic oil. This engine only has 30K miles on it.
- Clermont, FL, USA
- Losantville, IN, USA