2001 Dodge Intrepid: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Oct 26, 2010 · Engine · 120,000 miles · OR · 2 injuries

My car has very low mileage and it just suddenly started coughing and choking and revving up and slowing down - it was completely out-of-control! I had to pull over on a major freeway (interstate 5 in oregon) and waited on the side for a tow. When I got it home I was told to drive it a couple of blocks to get the engine analyzer on it, but it sounded horrible, the valves were knocking fiercely and it sounded like it was out of oil, which I check frequently. The guy that checked it really didn't have much of an answer except a relay switch. We replaced it but to no avail. I took it to a local mechanic and he wanted about $4500 to replace the engine - where they found metal shavings and some sort of bolt that they couldn't get to down in the valve. I cannot afford to replace anything on this car and I am amazed and disgusted that chrysler would put this kind of engine out to the public. I have read hundreds of complaints now about the 2.7 l engine - with people in the same predicament. And it's not just online - I have a neighbor with one that has the alternative engine and he's heard the same thing. His car runs great because he doesn't have the 2.7l....chrysler should pick up the pieces for all these poor people who have faulty cars and at least replace the value of their car as it stands today. Please help.

Filed Jun 18, 2010 · Engine · 12,400 miles · MI

I have a 2001 dodge intrepid. 2.7l engine. The oil light came on and stayed on and now the engine is ticking. I was driving and then the car just cut off. The oil dip stick was at the right level.

Filed Nov 1, 2009 · Engine · 150,000 miles · MI

I bought this car from my brother-in-law about 5 months ago. I changed the oil less then 3,000 miles ago. I began noticing some weird engine noise over the last week. The sound got alot worse today on a 30 mile trip to pick up my 3 year old daughter from her grandma's house. The car began making a loud banging or knocking sound when you let off of the gas while driving. The car then just died while driving down the road. Luckily, I was able to pull the car over without any problems, but who knows what would have happened if I was driving on the highway. I had the car towed to my house. I tried to start it at home and it would turn over and start, but it sounds like the engine has rocks or something in it and only idles for a second or two before dieing again. I hope that this problem has some way of getting fixed and that the ways you described really do help. I am now left with only one car to share with my wife and try to find a way to get to my full time job and my classes (I am also attending classes 4 days a week). I have always heard about the problems with the 2.7 liter engine, but I thought they were just horror stories that were always told as "I know this guy who had problems with that engine" or "those engines are junk, and its only a matter of time before mine will blow". I really didn't expect this to happen because not even 3000 miles earlier I changed the oil and it was clean. I also drove the car up north which was a 3hr drive each way. No problems and the bang, knock, crunch its all over.

Filed Jul 16, 2009 · Engine · 80,000 miles · IN

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler intrepid. While driving 70 MPH, the engine began to knock loudly. The contact had the vehicle towed to a mechanic and was informed that the engine failed. The engine had never been serviced prior to the failure and there were no warning lights illuminated. The engine oil and fluids were checked and replaced three weeks prior to the failure. The dealer and manufacturer have not been notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jun 25, 2009 · Engine · 124,114 miles · AL

On june 4, 2009 I paid my 2001 dodge intrepid off. On june 20, 2009 while traveling on the interstate I heard my car making a knocking sound. As I pulled over to get off on the exit the car died and I almost lost control of the vehicle as I came off the exit. I had to put the car in park to get it to stop. This is scary being that my young children were in the vehicle with me. On yesterday the mechanic has advised me the engine is gone. I've had the oil sending unit replaced, the timing, the cam and crankshaft sensor, the water pump, the serpentine belt, not to mention the $600 just spent about 2 weeks ago to have the AC fixed. When the oil light first began to flicker the mechanic advised me that this would be the outcome. Something needs to be done about this!

Filed Jun 11, 2009 · Engine · 110,000 miles · OH

2001 dodge intrepid 2.7 v6 had oil light flicker on and off at stop signs. Checked oil, it was fine. Took in for an oil change. I did oil changes regularly as suggested by dodge. Car started making knocking noise. Took car to mechanic. He ran compression tests and said timing chain was bad and valves were bent. It needs a new engine.

Filed Mar 18, 2009 · Engine · 124,691 miles · IL

#2 cylinder, right side, rod bearing failure. Piston hitting head.

Filed Mar 9, 2009 · Engine · 50,069 miles · IN

I purchased this car in april of 2002 from a dodge dealer. It was a program car and had about 16,000 miles on it. The car was never run hard while I drove it and oil was changed approximately every 5,000 miles. This car was great and ran like a top for 2 1/2 years. In that time, the only corrective maintenance required on the car was minor brake work in september 2004. October 8, 2004: noticed a slight knocking from engine, so I decided to take it to jiffy lube for an oil change. They told me there was some oil deposit build-up and they would flush the engine before replacing the oil. Car still knocked after the oil change, so I called a local dodge dealership in danville in to inquire about service. I was told to bring the car in on the following monday (oct. 11) for tests. I did not drive the car that weekend. Monday morning, I started the car, and it sounded awful, belching smoke. I was unable to move the car out of the driveway, so I called a wrecker service and had the car towed to the dealership. The next day, the service department called and informed me that there was excessive oil-sludge buildup in the engine "due to not changing the oil every 3,000 miles." I was quoted a cost of $4,560.00 to repair the engine, or $7,700.00 to replace it. I don\'t claim to have religiously changed my oil; like I said, about every 5,000 miles. But this is no different than every other car (13) I have owned and they all lasted well over 100,000 miles or at least up to the time that I sold them. I still have 30 months left to pay on my 60-month loan, and owe $8,100.00. Dealers will only give me $500.00 in trade. I've decided to refinance the car over 72 months, which has cut my payments in half, and just yesterday purchased another car that I will also be paying for the next six years. I find it ironic that I had never heard of the problems with this engine, but now everyone I talk to in the automotive industry has long known about just what junk chrysler has put out.

Filed Dec 31, 2008 · Engine · 94,000 miles · IN

I own a 2001 dodge intrepid, and used it for my commute. I was driving 35 MPH and began to hear a loud knocking sound and believe it to be related to the oil sludge problem in chrysler's 2.7 engines.

Filed Aug 18, 2008 · Engine · 95,000 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 dodge intrepid. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle made a knocking noise and then shut off without warning. The vehicle failed to restart on two separate occasions. The first time the vehicle shut off the water pump was replaced. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and it restarted the following morning. The vehicle was diagnosed as having engine failure. The current and failure mileages were 95,000.

Filed Aug 11, 2008 · Engine · 116,400 miles · IL

Dodge has a design problem with the 2001 intrepid with a 2.7l v-6 engine. After an oil change the oil light flickers. Started to make a ticking noise. Had the car looked at and due to some oil tube design issue part of the engine is starved for oil and is now in need of a new engine.

Filed Aug 1, 2008 · Engine · 67,277 miles · CA

I was shocked that my vehicle needed a new engine (long block and all parts associated) at 67,227 miles due to oil sludge/bearings broke down in engine and caused oil to look metallic resulting in engine failure. The check oil light suddenly appeared and a ticking noise started so I had my car towed immediately to the nearest dodge dealership. This happened just 2,277 miles after my warranty expired? We had two dealerships look at my intrepid and both agreed it needed a new engine. We even contacted a trusted family mechanic shop and was advised that this was a known issue with the 2.7 liter engines and advised to get rid of the car immediately (they would not touch it). Robert at autowest dodge in roseville, california, also admitted that this was a known issue with the dodge 2.7 liter engines and that it just happens no matter how your vehicle is maintained but, offered no recourse with dodge. The total for repairs was $8,175.00. Now I have another 2.7 liter engine (rebuilt) from the manufacturer (dodge) which is only guaranteed for 36 months. The cost of repairing my car really created a hardship for me. I am a senior citizen on a fixed income, drive my vehicle less than average miles per year and take pride in maintaining my car. Your help in investigating the dodge 2.7 liter engine is greatly appreciated.