On february 2, 2004 car began to make a clacking noise - sounded like oil was not getting into the crankcase. Had car towed to a mechanic the next day. Timing chain broke when mechanic started the car to diagnose. Diagnosed as engine sludge problem - mechanic said that he has seen this problem on this type of engine at much lower mileages. Need to replace the engine - approximately $5000.
2000 Dodge Intrepid engine complaints
Page 23 of 27: complaints 641 to 670 of 785, newest first, as owners wrote them.
We have a 2000 dodge intrepid. The engine failed just past our warranty. The dealership where we purchased the car and chrysler corporation both dismissed our complaint as quickly as possible. After talking to several auto industry workers and researching this engine online, we have come to realize that this is a huge problem that has probably affected thousands of intrepid owners.
Dodge intrepid motor locked up due to sludge.
Oil sludge in 2000 dodge intrepid with 3.2 6 cyl engine. Noted noisy valve in left cylinder head. During inspection of valve train found rocker arm shaft filled with sludge blocking oil passage to rocker arms. Right valve trained also had a large amount of sludge in rocker arm shaft. Cleaned shaft and inspected valve train for excessive wear. Valve train wear still within limits as prescribed by chrysler/dodge. Inspected oil pan and noted a large amount of sludge in the pan. Further inspections revealed oil pick up tube 90% blocked, and the oil pump housing scored from damaged gear out of the factory. Replaced oil pump assembly, pick up tube, crankshaft bearings, and connecting rod bearings. This defect was caught and corrected before any severe damage to the engine occurred. Had it not, result would be an engine locked up due to lack of lubrication. This car is maintained regularly, with frequent oil changes, and has highway mileage on it. Dodge denies any oil nitration/sludge problem on the 3.2 engine. Noted several reports of the same problem from several owners.
Engine oil sludge problem caused eninge failuer and manufacture refuses to honor warranty. Only had car for 10 months and only has 48000 mile on it. I purcashed the extend plus warranty along with the car.
Engine locked up, and the air conditioner malfunctioned.
While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed. Dealership informed consumer that the problem pertained to the timing chain failure.
Vehicle made a clicking noise, engine shut off, and would not restart. Vehicle was towed to a mechanic. The mechanic determined that there was slug in motor, and motor needed to be replaced.
While driving at an undetermined speed engine check light appeared on the dash, causing the vehicle to stall. Consumer contacted dealer on two separate occasions, but the problem still occurs.
Consumer complained about engine problems. Vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the mechanic found sludge on the timing chain. This caused internal damage to the engine, and the engine had to be replaced.
While pulling into a parking area consumer heard a loud grinding noise coming from the engine compartment. A few seconds later the engine stalled. Dealer found that the pistons and rods were bent in the engine.
While the vehicle was idling, the timing chain snapped without warning. The actual cause of the timing chain snapping has not been identified. The dealership was contacted. *nlm the dealer refused to help. (chrysler and dominion dodge refused to help as well) *sc
Engine in 2000 chrysler intrepid started tapping noise at 58017km brought to dealer with complaint, told they would not take engine apart to check noise. I told them I had been told that the 2.7 engine had problems with sludge that prevented the oil from circulating properly. They still refused to check engine. At just over 62000 km engine became noisy. Brought it back to dealer who kept the car for two weeks, then told me engine needed to be replaced at a cost of $6500.00 and there would be no warranty coverage or goodwill. I gave them a complete history of maintenance records showing that proper maintenance was done with in the required mileage and time. They have told me that the invoices do not clearly identify my 2000 black intrepid and that it could of been another car. I only own one 2000 intrepid. The invoice shows the work the mileage and my name and date. Next me they told me the invoice numbers were too close together. The work was done at four different garages. Then they told me there was sludge that showed the vehicle was not properly maintained. Then they asked me the brand of oil the garages used as it may have been faulty. End result is that they refuse to change their position in regards to warranty coverage or goodwill repairs and I will have to replace an engine that was bought brand new in may 2001. I am frustrated and do not know where to turn. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Since I bought this car on october of 1999, I have taken it to the dealer 31 times to fix things. I have been without a car 100 days. I have paid out of pocket $3,137.64. I am now on an extended warranty. I still owe $8,000.00 on my car. It has 60,000 miles. I have maintained it every 3,000 miles as suggested in the owners manual. I only use 97 octane gas. I am a very cautious driver. I take care of the car but the car has left me stranded in the middle of highways putting my life and the lives of my passengers in danger. I never know when the car is going to break down again and where so I am always under terrible stress. I pray as I drive that I make it to my destination. This car has been a lemon since I bought it. The biggest problem is the engine blowing. My brother in law was driving and I was the passenger on south dixie highway (us1) in south miami when we were at a red light and then started to go when the light turned green and without any warning lights, noises, or anything the car stopped running. It died in the middle lane. We had to push it to the side. It was rush hour and this highway is filled with very aggressive drivers. They were all cursing, beeping, signaling, and driving so close to us as to almost touch us. I was petrified. I thought a car was going to hit us. I paid for the engine repair out of my pocket, because the extended warranty company told the dealer they could not cover it because there was sludge build up. They send an adjustor who reported it to them. The dealer told us to fight it because the sludge was normal for that type of engine. We provided the extended warranty all the receipts for the maintenance that we religiously did about every 3000 miles. We also had another mechanic go in and look at the car. The other mechanic said that these types of engines always had the problem of sludge build up and that it was normal for the engine and that the extended warranty should cover it.
November 2002 taken to dealership to replace cam position sensor. June 2003 taken to dealer for cam position sensor. Complained to dealer of ticking noise. Dealer told me that it was the timing belt and that the vehicle was in perfect running condition. August 2003 loud noise from engine. Towed to dealer. Dealer claims vehicle needs new engine if they are available for a cost of $7000.
This car has been in the shop more than the road, and now we are told that the engine is beyond repair, that we will have to purchase a new or rebuilt engine. Considering that I owe $9000, to spend $4000 to repair is beyond my means. We originally started having problems in 2002 when the check engine light would come on, and according to the dodge dealer in our area, the code was for the leak detection sensor. This light would come on and stay on for a while, and we were told not to worry until it started flashing. Mysteriously, the light would then go off. We had several other repairs after that for the same code and sensors/modules replaced, then we would have the same problem. We were ultimately told it was a broken wire under the seat?. Eventually, in june 2003, my husband was driving down the road when the engine just seizure, almost causing a rear-end collision and him swerving to avoid oncoming cars and ultimately almost going in the ditch in front of a busy gas station. The car has been in the shop since, engine sent to machine shop, and we are told it cannot be repaired, and if they attempt to, they cannot guarantee for even a day. The valves all have to be replaced, and there are large indentations in the cylinder heads. Every time that something went wrong with this car, it would die in the middle of traffic. It is a hazard and a lemon!
I have only had the car less than a year. Regular oil changes. Never any problems. It is a 2.7 engine. With 80,000 miles. We were driving down the hiway and the engine seized. No lights came on. No warning. Mechanic said that the engine was blown the pistons pushed up through the heads. We changed our oil at a service center regularly. The mechanic said it has happened to people all over with intrepids.
Steering developed 'play' in late 10/03. By 11/12/03 it was clunking, wheel was cocked to the right. Steering wheel would stick/lock up. Contacted dealer in santa rosa, ca. Was quoted $175 estimate. Later, same day learned that rack was broken and pump was leaking and cost would be a minimum $2000 to repair. I opted to go to another mechanic and had the car towed away from the dealer shop.
I have also replaced front passenger side door lock actuator. Now the driver side back lock actuator is going out. I have not fixed the radio, dash lights or dome lights. I am out of money for the time being. I had to refinance and add $4900. To get most of the repairs done. My engine blew due to sludge and I now have a used rebuilt one that will probably do the same thing.
While driving at 60 MPH, the rpms raced up to 4000. Then, the rpms fluctuated between 4000 and 2000 rpms. The vehicle finally stalled and would not restart. *ak the vehicle was towed and after the diagnosis was performed, it was determined the vehicle needed a new engine.
Vehicle stalled in the middle of the intersection. Engine must be replaced.
While driving 60 MPH vehicle stalled. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, and technician indicated that engine needed to be replaced.
2000 dodge intrpid with a blown enginie.
While driving at 55 MPH engine failed without warning. Dealer refused to give consumer any type of information regarding engine defect. *ak failure occurred while consumer was driving on a busy highway.
Engine failed at 56,000 miles.
While traveling on the highway without prior warning, the vehicle shut down. The dealer was made aware of the problem. *ph *sc
Car would not restart after stopping for gas. I had the car was towed to a shop.I was told that the fuel injector was bad. Had it changed--car still would not start. Two weeks later, I was told that he could not fix it and I should take it to the dealer. He charged me $200 for the fuel injector & towing. The dealer immediately said it was the crank sensor and changed it. The dealer then called and said they changed the sensor and it still won't run. He told me "you have a bigger problem. Your engine is slugged up." I asked how that could be and was told that I must not have changed the oil often enough or used the correct oil. That is totally wrong! I took very good care of the car and always had the oil changed regularly. To repair the car will cost $1100 just to allow them to take the engine apart and further diagnose the problem (no clue how much money after that) or $6000 for a new engine. I do not have the money for a new engine--nor can I afford to make payments on a car that will not get me to work. This was the last problem in a long list of problems in the two years I have owned the car. The driver window fell off track, the pulleys and belts were repaired or replaced repeatedly, several sensors had to be replaced. This car is a total lemon!
The dealer has installed two rebuilt engines in the vehicle within the last year. The dealer could not determine why the engines continue to malfunction. Please provide any additional information.
While driving between 65 - 70 MPH consumer heard a flapping noise. Consumer pulled over and turned vehicle off to inspect. Vehicle wouldn't restart. Vehicle was towed to a dealership, and mechanic indicated that noise was due to engine failure. The engine had sludge build up. Prior to the engine failure vehicle had had an oil change. This might have been caused by fuel pump failure.
While driving 40 MPH, consumer noticed that oil light came on, and then vehicle stalled. Consumer tried to restart vehicle several times,but to no avail.
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