2000 DODGE INTREPID Engine And Engine Coolingengine Problems

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 $6000.00 AND $6800.00. I CURRENTLY OWE $6000.00 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...

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. *JB

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. *NM

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 $1,000.00. 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...

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.*JB

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. *NM

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? *JB

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. *JB

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. *NM

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...

INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE. REPLACED ENGINE (CRYSLER 2.7L). *NM

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 2000.00 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...

DT*: 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. *AK 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). *NM

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. *JB

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 $6,000.00. I AM STILL INVESTIGATING OTHER COMPLAINTS AND GATHERING MORE BACK-UP MATERIAL BEFORE I AM WILLING TO GIVE UP MY FIGHT WITH CHRYSLER. *NM

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. *NM

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. *NM

DT*: 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.

DT*: 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. *JB

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 $6000.00. WE DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO FIX THE CAR. WE ARE NOW RENTING A CAR UNTIL...

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE ENGINE SLUDGE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/22/06- THE CONSUMER MAINTAINED THAT HE HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. *JB

THE ENGINE ON MY 2000 DODGE INTREPID JUST DIED ON THE HIGHWAY. *NM

I PURCHASED A NEW 2000 DODGE INTREPID ES IN JUNE 2000. I HAD MY CAR MAINTENANCE OCCASIONALLY INCLUDING OIL CHANGES, BREAKS, TIRES, ETC. ON MAY 7, 2006 MY CAR BROKE DOWN AND IT WAS REPORTED BY A MECHANIC THAT MY TIME CHAINING AND ENGINE IS NO LONGER WORKING. MY CAR ONLY HAD 47, 689 MILES AND I FINISHED PAYMENTS IN JUNE 2004. IT IS TOTALLY UNFAIR FOR A CAR OF SIX (6) YEARS TO BREAK DOWN FOR ENGINE PROBLEM. *JB

ONE MORNING IN MID OCT 05 AFTER DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF FOR SCHOOL,THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. ON THE RETURN TRIP HOME, THE CAR ENGINE JUST DIED. WITH NO WARNING, NO NOISE, NO SMOKE AND NO ENGINE LIGHTS. AFTER MAKING MANY ATTEMPTS TO RESTART ENGINE, ALL FELL. LEFT WITH NO OTHER CHOICE I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP. LATER TO FIND OUT THAT THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN. INFORMATION FROM MECHANIC, IT IS A KNOWN CONDITION WITH THE 2.7 LITER ENGINE WHICH I HAVE. AS OF TODAY, NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE COST FOR REPAIRS WILL RUN FROM 8.000 TO 11.000. THE ENGINE HAS LESS THAN 40,000 MILES. *NM

ON, APRIL 13TH, 2006 WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 75; MY 2000 DODGE INTREPID BEGAN MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE. I WAS TRAVELING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE KNOCKING NOISE THE CAR BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MOVE MY CAR TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY LANE WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT AND LOCKED UP. AFTER CAUSING A MAJOR TRAFFIC JAM I WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR OFF THE ROAD. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR WHO CAME TO PICK UP MY CAR STATED THAT THE INTREPID WITH THE 2.7L ENGINES HAVE A DEFECT AND I WOULD NEED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. HE STATED THAT HIS COMPANY COULD PUT A REBUILT ENGINE IN THE CAR, IT WOULD COST 4500.00. BUT HE SUGGESTED JUST GETTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. HE SAID IT IS AN ENGINE PROBLEM AND EVEN A NEW ENGINE WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS FORTUNATE TO NOT HAVE MY...

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE ENGINE SLUDGE. THE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.

PURCHASED A 2000 DODGE INTREPID 2.7L ENGINE FROM A LOCAL DEALER LESS THAN 8 MONTHS AGO. WE PROVIDED REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND PERFORMANCE CHECKS ON THIS VEHICLE. WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY ROAD (45 MPH) THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A TREMENDOUS CLATTERING, AND LOST A GREAT DEAL OF POWER. I NEARLY MISSED BEING REAR-ENDED WITH MY 3-YR OLD SON IN THE BACK SEAT!!!! I STILL OWE $5000 ON THIS CAR, HAVE BEEN QUOTED $5000-$6000 TO REPAIR IT, AND MUST CARRY FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE FOR IT TO SIT IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN CONTACTING DAIMLER-CHRYSLER, I AM PUT ON HOLD AND NO ONE EVER COMES BACK ON THE LINE TO FINISH MY COMPLAINT. *NM

WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 DODGE INTREPID ON THE AFTERNOON OF MAY 17,2005 THE ENGINE (2.7L) THE ENGINE FAILED RENDERING THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES NEARLY USELESS WHILE DRIVING THE TWISTING AND TURNING ROADS OF ATKINSON NH. AFTER HAVING THE REPAIR ASSESSED (ENGINE REPLACEMENT) THE COST OF THE REPAIR EXCEEDED THE BOOK VALUE OF THE AUTOMOBILE. I HAVE DONE NOTHING SINCE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ATTAINING ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION (NON CHRYSLER PRODUCT). *NM

I PURCHASED A 2000 DOGE INTREDPID WITH THE 2.7L ENGINE. IT WAS NOTHING BUT CONSTANT PROBLEMS AND ALMOST GOT ME KILLED. I WAS HAVING ENGINE PROBLEMS AND ON THE WAY TO THE SHOP, THE MOTOR LOCKED AS I WAS PULLING OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ALMOST HIT MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET IT PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE MOTOR HAD 71K DON'T BUY A CHRYSLER. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES. IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE ENGINE HAD FAILED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS INDICATING ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED.

THE CAR WAS DRIVING GOOD. I NOTICED A LITTLE JERKING BUT WAS NOT TOO WORRIED AS I JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGED RECENTLY. WHEN LEAVING FROM MY WORK FOR LUNCH, THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND STALL BADLY. I TURNED AROUND AND PARKED THE CAR MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO AAMCO THINKING IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THEY PERFORMED TESTS AND THE REPORT SAID CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. I STARTED THE CAR UP AND THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE TOOK OFF THE OIL PAN AND DISCOVERED SCRAPS OF METAL IN MY OIL. HE STATED THAT THIS IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ENGINE. I DROVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 MORE WEEKS AND DECIDED TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE INSTEAD OF TAKING MY CHANCES WITH THIS ONE SINCE THE REPAIR COST IS MORE THAN $5000. WHILE GETTING...

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP AND WOULD HAVE TO REPLACED.

ENGINE OF WELL MAINTAINED DODGE INTREPID 2.7L SEIZED DURING RUSH HOUR ON BUSY ROAD. WIFE PANICKED BUT WAS ABLE (LUCKILY) TO SWING IN A PARKING LOT. THERE WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC BEHIND HER (TRUCKS). MECHANIC: CHECKED ENGINE: NO SLUDGE WAS PRESENT, NO SIGNS OF SLUDGE (REMARKABLE!) TIMING CHAIN BROKE DOWN AND WATER PUMP IS ABOUT TO BREAK DOWN (IN THAT CASE ENGINE WOULD BE A TOTAL LOSS). THIS IS THE 3RD INTREPID 2.7L THAT WEEK WITH EXACT SAME PROBLEMS AROUND SAME MILEAGE! SINCE THERE WAS NO SLUDGE THE PROBLEMS SEEM NOT ONLY TO BE SLUDGE RELATED. OIL CHANGE INTERVAL: EVERY 3000 MILES (PROOF) W. SYNTHETIC OIL. NO SLUDGE MEANS THAT PREVIOUS OWNER ALSO MAINTED THE CAR WELL! I'LL HAVE THE MECHANIC STATE IN HIS REPORT THAT NO SLUDGE WAS FOUND FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. WARRANTY COMPANY KICKED IN EVENTUALLY SINCE THEY COULD NOT USE THE 'SLUDGE' ARGUMENT AGAINST ME. *NM

ENGINE DEAD. CAR ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CUT OUT, GOT LOUD THEN DIED. THE LOSS CREATED BEING WITHOUT A CAR FOR SOME TIME OVER THREE MONTHS WITHOUT A RELIABLE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE AS OF YESTERDAY 3/28/06, I WAS GOING TO HAVE THEM DO WORK ON IT. WHEN I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT NHTSA, I HAD ASKED THEM TO WAIT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 55MPH THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY OTHER WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION THE ENGINE HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

ENGINE SEIZED. *JB

I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE OIL SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE HAD THE ENGINE FLUSHED, HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES WITH PREMIUM OIL AND MAINTENANCE WITH NO AVAIL. ON DECEMBER 15, 2005 MY ENGINE LOCKED UP ON ME WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. NOW I MUST PAY $5000 FOR A REBUILT MOTOR ON A CAR THAT ONLY HAD 111,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SLUDGE BUILDUP. UPDATED 04/06/06. *JB

MY 2000 DODGE INTREPID WITH 2.7L ENGINE JUST TURNED 80,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER THEN WOULDN'T START ONE DAY AFTER WORK. HAD IT LOOKED AT BY 2 MECHANICS WHOM BOTH TOLD ME THE TIMING CHAIN AND ROCKER ARM WAS COMPLETELY SHOT AND CAR BASICALLY WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF SLUDGE BUILD UP. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON FOR THIS CAR. APPROXIMATELY COST OF NEW ENGINE IS $5000, MORE THAN TRADE-IN VALUE SO DECIDED TO BUY ANOTHER MORE RELIABLE CAR. MY INTREPID STILL IS SITTING UNREPAIRED IN MY DRIVEWAY, HOWEVER I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT. I'LL NEVER BUY A DODGE/CHRYSLER VEHICLE AGAIN!!! *NM

2000 DODGE INTREPID ENGINE FAILURE TWICE. REPLACED ENGINE AT LESS THAN 50, 000 MILES WITH ANOTHER DODGE ENGINE. IT FAILED AT 118,000 SAME PROBLEM. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE ENGINE MADE A KNOCKING SOUND AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE KNOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED ENGINE SLUDGE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED, HOWEVER NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 03/09/06. *JB

2000 INTREPID W/54K MILES BLEW (2) HOLES IN THE TIMING CHAIN COVERS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ROUTE 422 IN OHIO AT 11 PM 2/5/06. TOWED CAR IN FOR REPAIRS AND SLUDGE BUILD UP WAS UNDER THE VALVE COVERS. PURCHASED CAR FROM HALPER CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP ON 2/17/05. WE ONLY ADDED 13K MILES ON IT IN 12 MONTHS. WE DID REGULAR OIL CHANGES BUT IT STILL BUILT UP SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR. OUR 19 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING OUR CAR BACK TO COLLEGE WHEN IT BLEW. WE ARE GLAD HE IS SAFE AND HE IS A STRONG ENOUGH YOUNG MAN TO HOLD THE WHEEL WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE ADD ON WARRANTY WE PURCHASED WILL NOT COVER THIS REPAIR SINCE IT APPEARS THE OIL WAS NOT CHANGED REGULARLY SO WE NOW HAVE A $7K IN REPAIRS TO MAKE OR A $7K DRIVEWAY ORNAMENT UNTIL IT'S PAID OFF. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE OIL PRESSURE WAS LOW AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACING SOON. NO REPAIRS MADE AND THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD.

ENGINE FAILURE 2.7L. *NM

ENGINE IS BAD. LOUD KNOCKING. ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS MAIN SEAL THAT WENT OUT BUT UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND SEVERAL MECHANICS, THE ENGINE IS GONE. SECOND THOUGHT WAS THE OIL PUMP WENT BAD, NO LUCK THERE EITHER. NO KNOWN REASON FOR ENGINE TO GO OUT AND NO WARNING SIGNS. NO "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHTS OR ANYTHING ELSE. CAR HAS LESS THAN 52,500 MILES. UP TO THIS I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, OTHER THAN THE WEATHER STRIPPING AROUND ALL FOUR DOORS KEEP COMING OFF, EVEN AFTER IT WAS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. *NM

2000 DODGE INTREPID 2.7 LITER MOTOR WITH 70,000 MILES ON IT. NO SIGN THAT THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO FAIL. CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE MOTOR WAS KNOCKING. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY SAID THERE WAS SLUDGE BUILD UP DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE(THEY DIDN'T EVEN ASK HOW OFTEN I CHANGED THE OIL). DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST THOUSANDS OF $ TO FIX. I STILL OWED $7,000 ON A CAR THAT WOULD COST THAT MUCH TO FIX. SO NOW I STILL PAY FOR THAT JUNK CAR AND DRIVE A $2,000 BEATER UNTIL I CAN FINISH PAYING THE DODGE OFF. *NM

I AM A 35 YEAR OLD WOMAN WHO WAS TRAVELING WITH MY MENTALLY CHALLENGED AND AUTISTIC DAUGHTER FROM OHIO TO MISSOURI. WHILE NEARING INDIANAPOLIS, IN. MY 2000 DODGE INTREPID IT STARTED "TICKING" VERY LOUDLY AND THEN WOULD NOT GO OVER 40 MPH. I PULLED OFF ON THE MEDIAN WHERE MY CAR JUST DIED AS I WAS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP. THIS WAS THE MOST TERRIFYING, INCONVENIENT AND COSTLY EXPERIENCE. MY AUTISTIC DAUGHTER WAS SCREAMING WHILE WE WAITED FOR HELP. I SPENT MY ENTIRE VACATION CALLING THE DODGE DEALER WHERE MY CAR WAS TOWED, MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY AND RENTAL CAR PLACES. I FIRST SPOKE WITH THE DODGE DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT MY ENGINE WAS "BLOWN" AND IT WOULD COST ME $8800.00. THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY ENGINE WAS FULL OF "SLUDGE". I THEN CALLED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY PLACE TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE GOING TO COVER THE...

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED HOWEVER, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE LIGHT WENT OFF. THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *NM