2001 Dodge Intrepid: won't start

Filed Apr 30, 2011 · Engine · 100,000 miles · MN

I was on my way to aldi's and before I pulled up into the parking lot the car shut off and did not start again fluids were running from underneath I had it towed and they told me it was the water pump and the result of that made anti freeze mix with the oil in the engine and I took it to a second mechanic and they said pretty much the same thing except they added that they did a compression test and it failed so it needed to be rebuilt at some point of time .

Filed Jul 16, 2008 · Engine · 59,000 miles · CO

2001 dodge intrepid se, 2.7 liter engine, v6, purchased in december 2006, we had the vehicle serviced the day before mothers day 2007, mothers day 2007, I was driving home from our local mall, I stopped at the stop sign, started to go and the car just stalled as if I were out of gas, I had a full tank, I tried to start the car, it would not start. I was told by the chrysler dealer nearby after we had it towed that it was engine failure. I had no warning, the engine light never came on, no oil light, no smoke from the engine no warning what so ever, and here I am a year later with car that does not run and out the money we paid for the car in the first place. We haven't had the car repaired because we are hoping they will recall this engine.

Filed Jun 10, 2008 · Engine · 158,000 miles · MI

At first the motor started to knock from below(bearings) brought it in and replaced the cam and crank sensors. Drove the car for 4 days after and it will not start and the knocking is worse. The engine is getting fuel and spark but will not fire. Checked the oil and changed it to be on the safe side, still nothing.

Filed May 11, 2008 · Engine · 151,000 miles · OR

I purchased the car used in december 2007, it had 147,000 miles on it. Since I purchased it I have had the oil changed twice. On the morning of may 7, 2008, I checked the oil prior to a long trip and found it to be 1 quart low. I added additional oil to bring the level to full. About 5 miles into the trip, while driving on the freeway at 70 miles an hour, I began hearing a very loud knocking sound coming from the engine. As I began changing lanes, I found that once I slowed down slightly, I was unable to pick up speed again, and I was slowly loosing speed. As I entered the off ramp the oil light began to flicker. At the end of the off ramp, my car died at the stop sign, and would not start again, leaving me in a very unsafe place. I placed the car in neutral and attempted to push it into a parking lot from the drivers door in order to be able to turn the steering wheel or apply the brakes if needed. I was unable to push from that position, so I was forced to take the risk of pushing from the rear of the vehicle. By sheer luck the car rolled between a street sign and a parked vehicle, and came to a stop when it hit a bush just before rolling into the ditch. I was informed by my mechanic that the rod knock was caused by a severe buildup of oil sludge in the engine. I was offered 2 options to repair the vehicle; 1) have a remanufactured 2.7 l engine installed that had been modified to combat this problem, or 2) have a 3.2 or 3.5 l engine from another intrepid or concord installed, which would involve no modifications since the transmission and exhaust systems for all three of the engines were identical. To my surprise, the estimate for installing the larger engine was less than installing the same size engine, even considering the peripheral parts such as air conditioning, power steering, etc. That would need to come along with the larger engine! All told, I will have spend $3000 to purchase the car and nearly the same amount to repair it.

Filed Apr 12, 2008 · Engine · 108,000 miles · MI

Without any warning the engine just quit and would not start again while waiting for a stop light. Upon taking it to an auto repair shop it was determined that the engine had failed and required replacement. Cause of failure was oil sludge. A rebuilt engine was purchased and installed at a cost of $5,000.00.

Filed Oct 15, 2007 · Engine · 147,179 miles · NC

I was going to lunch and I went out to start my car and it wouldn't start. I had my car towed home. The mechanic and dealership said it was the engine. The car dealership mechanic said the engine are defective that are coming from chrysler and they are aware of it and are not doing anything but letting the consumer absorb all these fees to get it fix. The dealership had just fix one and the mechanic stated he didn't want to do fix another engine repair. To me that is pretty bad. I think chrysler need to pull or have these call recalled.

Filed Jan 24, 2007 · Engine · 41,000 miles · IN

Tl*- the contact stated that on 06/02/06 had an oil changed on the 2001 dodge intrepid. After picking up the vehicle she started hearing a ticking noise. The contact stated that 2 days later she tried to start the vehicle and the vehicle would not start. She had the vehicle towed to the dealership, and was informed that the engine seized due to sludge build up. The contact stated that she has always taken her vehicle for oil changes, and could not understand how the engine could go with so few miles and regular maintenance. The contact has filed a complaint with the manufacturer, and will have file # available for the hard copy.

Filed Dec 21, 2006 · Engine · 83,000 miles · FL

While turning into my subdivision my 2001 dodge intrepid, 2.7l, v-6, 83,000 miles, died and I lost all power for steering and braking. I had the vehicle towed to an independent shop to determine the problem. The initial problem was thought to be a cracked plentium, but after replacement ($1,000), the car did not start and the mechanic determined the engine needed to be replaced. I then had the car towed to an engine specialty shop for further analysis. This shop informed me that the engine was water and/or oil locked and that indeed the engine needed to be replaced. They researched the engine and found that there are a number of places that wouldn't even sale the 2.7l, v-6 due the great number of engine failures that have occurred. Additionally, jasper engines (a leading manufacture and distributor of engines) stated that these engines have a very high failure rate and suggested upgrading to the 3.2l ($4,500 engine + $1,000 for the upgrade parts and pieces needed because it's a different engine = $5,500). They even suggested I go on this site to see how many more people had the same problem. Based on what I read this is an issue that chrysler should own up to and make the appropriate fixes. I for one have owned a number of dodges and all have had some type of problem associated with them, specifically, transmission problems. Has anyone had any luck with chrysler giving them relief or a dealer stepping up?

Filed Nov 12, 2006 · Engine, Steering · 75,435 miles · KY

First thing is that the rack and pinion failed. Got it repaired and then tie rod fell off. Was driving down the road one day, the car started smoking and just cut off. Got it off the road but it would not start after that. The car only has 75,435 miles on it.

Filed Oct 10, 2006 · Engine · 121,000 miles · WI · fire

My engine began ticking, I pulled over popped the hood and smoke rolled out, I checked the fluid levels and tried to restart the car, it wouldn't start, I waited a few minutes tried starting it again and it worked, I drove 3 miles home and the engine died as I turned down my street, once again the engine was smoking so I popped the hood and flames shot up, I put the flames out and the car has been sitting in my driveway since. I have done nothing to repair it since apparently it's a design of dodge and chrysler's 2.7 v6 according to many other owners.

Filed Sep 21, 2006 · Engine · 92,485 miles · OH

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55 MPH on the highway, the car vibrated, stalled and suddenly stopped. There were no warning signals prior to the incident and the engine did not start again. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who determined a timing belt had fractured. The dealership did not offer to repair without charges.

Filed Aug 6, 2006 · Engine · 41,231 miles · IN

The car was making a sound. Had just previously had an oil change. Got ready to get in the car to take to shop to find out what the noise was & the car would not start. Had to have the car towed to shop. That's when I was told the engine was gone. 5-6 thousand dollars to repair. Cannot afford that when still paying car note.