1999 Dodge Intrepid: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jan 3, 2008 · Engine · 91,954 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge intrepid. While driving 45mph, the vehicle began to hesitate. The engine warning light was illuminated. The local mechanic replaced the water pump, gaskets, oil, filters and seals. The cost to repair the vehicle was $1,000. The vehicle began to make loud noises, he lost control of the steering and he had to cross three lanes to avoid a crash and stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic. The contact advised the mechanic to diagnose the failure prior to starting the vehicle or making repairs; however, the mechanic started the vehicle and the engine failed. The dodge dealer replaced the engine at the contacts expense. The current and failure mileages were 91,954.

Filed Jul 31, 2006 · Engine, Visibility · 74,000 miles · MD

Bought 3 years ago used, it had emissions issues with the original engine. At about 74,000 miles the engine block cracked. Engine design does not allow for it to cool itself properly while running and results in the oil burning within before the engine can circulate it which finally results in the "sludge" that so many owners have a problem with and only perseverant the high heat issue as less oil is circulated to cool the engine. My engine's block cracked providing evidence of the engine getting too hot with no gauge warning of overheating because it is "overheating" within the system before it gets to the sensor etc, therefore it is not a poor maintenance issue but poor design and manufacturing. With a "rebuilt" engine it shakes, hesitates and emits smoke with clean oil and filter and no evidence of sludge within!! Now at under 96000 original miles and 22000 rebuilt engine the A/C coil has busted under the high pressure caused by the high engine temperature. The A/C pressure varies with engine pressure which varies with engine heat (still no overheating warning on the gauges). It is only addressed now that it is summer and too hot to drive without A/C. Unfortunately because of the design it will cost around $850 to replace a $80-120 part because the entire dash/firewall must come out along with many other components to get to it (and then those reinstalled afterward). The battery was sucked of power around this time and the motors controlling the windows & mirrors have broken. The keyless entry system has gone as well.

Filed Jan 7, 2005 · Engine · 92,000 miles · MI

While driving vehicle hesitated before acceleration. This resulted in a blown motor. Dealership informed the consumer that the problem pertained to sludge accumulating inside the engine compartment. *ak the manufacturer refused to provide any assistance.

Filed Jul 20, 2004 · Engine · IN

While driving the at 30 MPH, smoke started to come out from the exhaust pipe. Following this the vehicle started hesitating to accelerate, jerking forward, then stalled. The vehicle was towed to an engine specialist, who indicated that a rod had been thrown and the engine was destroyed. This may of been caused by a misfiring of a sensor. Prior to this incident the engine was replaced at 65000 miles.

Filed Dec 15, 2003 · Engine · 119,000 miles · MI

On october 31, 2003 my daughter was driving my intrepid on the freeway near canton, michigan. Upon pressing the accelorator the engine hesitated, then the oil light flashed on for one second just before she heard a popping sound. Then she lost all power. She could not steer or brake the car very well at all. She was going 65 miles per hour and nearly got into a serious accident. She got the car onto the shoulder but could not start the engine. We had it towed to a service station where they told me the engine was seized and it would cost $5,000 to $6500 to repair. It has been only 3000 miles since my last oil change.

Filed Aug 25, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 88,000 miles · AR

This is a 1999 dodge intrepid, that I have had plenty of problems out of. This was purchased at 29,569 miles, 10/99. Jan 2000 the inner sensor went out, replaced by dealer under warranty. July 2000 the outer sensor went out, replaced by dealer not under warranty per milage at time. Aug 2000 the passenger fan went out, replaced by dealer at a cost of $500. Sense then replaced brakes often, burn lots of oil and plenty of hesitation from the transmission. But my other biggest problem is the window motor,that has gone out in the passenger window twice and now the driver window has completely fail apart. You here nothing but noise when closing the door, cannot let the window up and down without its sounding like its going to break from popping like its getting caught on something. Most of the time you have to pull it up by hand in order to get it to close completely. Has their been a recall on this item?

Filed Dec 19, 2002 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · MO

We bought our car new from gladstone dodge, and noticed right off that there was an hesitation and lunging in the transmission. This problem was random, you never knew when it would happen.when we took it in anyways to be checked the wrote it up as they "could not verify" and next time "could not duplicate" . We kept calling and insisiting there was something. We were told to bring it in when it was doing it.they replaced the cam sensors and said that was problem, not the transmission itself. Then warranty expired we paid for the next sensor. They said still not the transmission. Now at 60,000miles the transmission is completely gone. Daimlerchrysler refuses to pay saying that the tech could not verify or duplicate the problem. Even though we tried to tell them on several times, that there was something wrong from the beginning. 2 months ago we were shown thick sludge in the oil on a routine oil change, now after research I see in a complaint site for dodge intrepids that there are 1,000 that have had the same problem with techs "unable to verify or duplicate" and customer keep insisting there is a problem, sensors replaced and only to follow with transmission totally going out. And with the sludge the engine ends up blown. Something needs to be done!!!

Filed Aug 15, 2002 · Acceleration, Transmission · CA

I drove my car to work without incident. Car was parked at work overnight. Left work the next morning, while accelerating up to speed I noticed that the car was jerking hard as it shifted through the gears (automatic). Before I got home (3 miles from work) the engine check light came on. When I arrived at home I cycled the shifter from park to drive (while car was parked in garage). While doing this the transmission would hesitate and then shift very hard into drive which made the car lurch forward (park and foot brake were applied). I had the car towed to the local dealership where they replaced the input speed sensor, this was covered under the original manufacturer's warranty, no cost to me. The next incident occurred in a similar fashion, the car was parked at work. When I left the next morning I noticed that the speedometer was not working (indicated "0" even though the car was moving). The shift selector on the dash was in [2] even though I had the shifter in the auto-stick mode which should start out in [1]. I took the shifter out of autostick and placed it in auto-shift, the acceleration was very sluggish, it was obvious that the transmission was stuck in [2]. As I was driving home the check engine light came on. While parked in the garage I cycled the shifter from park to drive, once again the transmission hesitated, then shifted very hard into drive, causing the car to lurch forward. I had the car towed to the local dealership where they replaced the output speed sensor. The original manufactures warranty had expired, I bought an extended warranty which covered the repair minus my $100.00 deductible. I have read numerous complaints through your website from other owners with the same problem, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that their is a real "safety" issue here. When is your department going to inform the manufacturer that this is not acceptable? Maybe after someone is "killed!!"

Filed Nov 21, 2001 · Transmission · CA

1999 dodge intrepid es: transmission had been overhauled three weeks ago because of intermittent bump, surging in automatic, rough shifting in lower gears. There was also a one time slippage, a jam in fourth gear and transmission once shifted back in fourth rapidly in lower gears. Transmission was overhauled, input/output speed sensors, torque converter, disc clutch replaced. Transmission seemed to work better since overhaul and replacements three weeks ago. Problems are now slowly starting to come back. Transmission does not function consistantly as it should. Recent examples: 11/19 made u-turn, let of accelerator pedal then pressed pedal for medium acceleration, tranny hesitated then bumped then finally worked. 11/20 while driving to work I stopped at traffic light then lightly pressed accelerator pedal, tranny seemed to lock down hard and vehicle accelerated very quickly, faster than usual. Vehicle almost smashed into car in front of me. Engine did not rev as like it was a throttle request. This has only happened once or twice since owning the vehicle. Dealership says transmission is fine and shifts fine. I asked dealership to check for fault codes, they state that no codes were found. I will be taking it to another dealership.

Filed Apr 16, 2000 · Transmission, Visibility · IL

Transmission hesitates and is sporadic. Has been in for a complete overhaul of the transmission. I still have the problem and have had it in for repair at least 3 other times. The dealer now says they cannot recreate the problem. I have had many people drive my car and they have noticed the rough shifting as well as the hesitant take off. This could be dangerous because you don't know when the transmission will engage and thrust your car forward. The other problem is the power windows. The driver window has a squeak and a grind. The dealer says they fixed it but it is doing it again. The back windows stopped functioning altogether and a part had to be ordered. The dealer did install this part in early april 2000.

Filed Mar 16, 2000 · Transmission · MA

Transmission is slipping, causing vehicle to hesitate when proceeding from a stop, and at intersections. Please give any further details.