I own a 2002 dodge intrepid with a 2.7l engine. The car only has 45,850 original miles.at times it will make a knocking noise that will eventually go away. I was told that the 2.7l has a problem with sludge buildup causing vital internal engine parts not to become lubricated. I have my oil changed every 1500 to 3000 miles and have only driven it 23,000 miles since buying it in 2006 I have taken it to several repair shops , but most mechanics refuse to work on it because of the so called sludge problem and the high cost of the repairs. Some suggested using full synthetic oil to combat the problem. Others have stated that the only solution is to replace the engine completely. I have also questioned chrysler as to any recalls for the 2.7l intrepid but no answer. I have also noticed that there are several complaints about this problem across north america. If chrysler knew this was a problem with these engines, they should have informed us the consumers and taken actions to correct it. I think they decided to keep their mouth shut and flood our country with a worthless product. Chrysler needs to own up to this defect. I have been a loyal customer of dodge for many years but is fading fast when it comes to american made vehicles.
2002 Dodge Intrepid engine complaints
Page 3 of 8: complaints 41 to 70 of 212, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Two incidents: october 2007, a 2002 dodge intrepid with 2.7l v6 had an engine cooling failure causing immediate overheating problem on florida highways. The cooling fitting on the top of the engine popped off causing the engine to loose most of it's coolant. Approximate mileage 106,000 this was taken to the dealer for an expensive repair. At the time the dealer did not notify me of the serious problems with this engine, such as sludge oil pump failures. On january 19th, 2009, the engine failed again. At approximately 125,000 miles. The water pump failed, the heads were blown, and probably the sludge oil pump caused this whole sequence of problems that could have been avoided if dodge made design changes back in 2007. The estimate for replacing the engine is at $6500. Not feasible to repair and I found many complaints about this engine design dating back to 1998 and 1999. Both failures were immediate with little warning to the driver. Thank god no one was injured. Owned by son nick straty
I bought used with 101898 miles on after 1044489 the head gasket blow and I only had the car for 2 weeks.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge intrepid. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and they stated that the timing chain was the cause of the failure. The engine size is a 2.7 liter, v6. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 101,000.
The engine failure while my girlfriend driving.
I own a 2002 dodge intrepid always did regular oil changes. Oil light came on, started hearing a knocking sound from the engine. The dealer says I have to replace the engine, otherwise it may seize while driving, causing a serious condition.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge intrepid. The contact turned the ignition key and the engine failed to completely turnover. Immediately, there was an ignition misfire. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. Roadside assistance was called to the scene and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the failure was related to engine sludge. The vehicle is currently inoperable and has not been repaired. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 68,000.
My daughter was driving home from college when our 2002 dodge intrepid engine failed while crossing trolley tracks in our local town.
Sludge build up, overheated, water pump out, timing chain broken.
Engine sludge dec 2007, engine sludge october 2008, resulting in vehicle malfunction. The car stopped on a major highway in rush hour traffic. The oil light came on and the car immediately died. Luckily I wasn't rearended. The oil is changed every 3000 miles. Chrysler should be replacing the motors on these vehicles before someone is killed. Right now the car is sitting, non-working. I cannot afford to replace the motor.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge intrepid. While driving 35 MPH, the contact experienced issues with his vehicle and took it to an auto repair shop. The crank, fuel, and oil sensors were replaced. The same day, the engine failed. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the engine was clean and found no failures, other than the bearing. Recently, the vehicle was taken to the dealer to install an idler and the transmission failed. The estimated repair cost for the transmission was $3,300. The extended warranty would not cover the repair costs. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 85,000 and failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
Blown motor.
I replaced an engine in a 2002 dodge intrepid last year and I am replacing one again this year. This engine is less than 80,000 miles and now the engine has locked up again. I am researching and finding other consumers are having engine problems with dodge intrepids. This is very costly!
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge intrepid. The contact took the vehicle in for inspection and an oil change. Afterwards, while driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle began making a loud rattling noise inside the engine. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the valve cover gasket was removed. The mechanic found built-up oil sludge, which destroyed the engine. The contact purchased a new engine from an independent dealer and informed him that there had been several issues with the chrysler and dodge 2.7 liter engine. The failure mileage was 67,000 and current mileage was 67,350. Updated 09/16/08. *lj updated 09/17/08.
My 02 dodge 2.7 l timing has failed. Since almost all have the same problem why chrysler does not have a recall ? That's what I call rip off.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge intrepid. While driving 55 MPH, the engine began making noise and the vehicle shut off in the middle of the road. The weather was not a factor. The contact took the vehicle to be repaired and the dealer stated that they had to wait on an inspector to investigate the failure. Three weeks later, the inspector stated that there was sludge build up and the oil filter looked rusty. The vehicle is still at the dealer to be repaired. The failure mileage was 78,900.
My heater in the car stop working,the next day it came back on,then it went out again,a couple of days it came on again and stayed on. No problem until a couple of weeks later the car just shut down. I had it towed to shop,they told me the engine was gone that I needed to replace the engine.
Heat failed in vehicle approx. Feb.7,2007 then in march of 2008 car engine failed on the expressway. I had car towed to the dealer that sold me the car and they ordered a new engine. Engine was back ordered and I had to wait over a month for engine. Now I have to return the car because engine is running rough and black smoke is coming out of exhaust pipe when it is started.
2002 dodge intrepid with oil leak. Consumer states that the vehicles engine has a design flaw which produces high levels of engine oil sludge. *kb after the oil leak was repaired, the check engine light illuminated two months later, the consumer was told the vehicle had a transmission leak.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge intrepid. While driving 25 MPH, she heard a knocking noise then the vehicle shut off without warning. The dealer stated that sludge inside the engine caused the failure and recommended a new engine. As of may 12, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 76,000.
I purchased a 2002 dodge intrepid 2.7 liter engine from honda cars of mckinney in may of 2005 for $7000 and felt very happy about my purchase until a about a year and half later, the engine begin leaking oil. I followed the normal maintenance schedule and had the oil changed every 3000 miles. I took my dodge to allen samuels of fort worth, texas and they "fixed" my oil leak problem for $893 but was never told about the 2.7 engine design problems which cause major oil sludge problems. After about 2 months, the engine light came on again. I took the vehicle back to the dealership and they ran another check and found that there was no oil leak (engine burns oil now) but there was a "small" transmission leak. I was unable to get any further with the dealership without paying more money? Since then, I've been unable to get my car inspected and have received a number of citations for expired inspection. I was even told by a policeman that I could check with the air texas program for repair cost help. I sent in required documents and found out from christian brothers automotive that it would cost more the car is worth to fix. The state of texas has given me a $3000 voucher to replace this pos dodge. The problem now is that I'm unemployed and can't afford a car that qualifies for this benefit. I am in the process of sending a complaint to robert nardelli with chrysler but I saw this link and thought I would get the word out. The dealership and/or chrysler owe me the cost of the "oil leak" repair, cost to either replace engine/trans and the expenses to try and get it inspected.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge intrepid. While driving between 45-50 MPH, the engine light illuminated. The temperature in the vehicle was fine and the contact pulled over the vehicle. When he turned the vehicle off, he discovered that water leaked everywhere. The following day, he changed the oil and found water in the oil. He also found water in the engine and stated that the engine gasket failed. The vehicle has not yet been taken to the dealer. The failure mileage was 118,000.
I own a 2002 dodge intrepid...I have to replace the motor...it only has 76,000 and dodge will not do anything about it...
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge intrepid. While driving at an unknown speed, the oil light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact's father-in-law installed a new battery. The vehicle restarted and the contact pulled back onto the highway. She immediately heard a loud noise coming from under the hood and pulled off the road. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic and the contact was informed that the failure was due to excessive engine sludge that caused a rod to snap in the engine. The mechanic stated that a new engine would cost $5,000. The failure and current mileages were 89,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge intrepid. While driving 40 MPH, the contact activated the heather, but no heat was present. Moreover, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that antifreeze was leaking into the engine. In order to pinpoint the exact location of the leak, an additional diagnosis is required at the cost of $900. The dealer also stated that the vehicle will need a new engine because the current one was built too small, and prevents the fluids from distributing correctly. The cost for the new engine is $8,400. The engine was previously checked and minor components were replaced. The contact will not have this failure corrected due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified, but would not assist. The vehicle was under warranty for only 36,000 miles. The current mileage was 77,000 and failure mileage was 52,000.
While driving my car the check engine light came on and there was no heat coming out of the heating unit. This has occurred several times since purchasing this vehicle. The vehicle is now at the dealers they want $900.00 just to take the engine apart. If it needed a new engine it would cost $8,000. Since we still owe $6000 this is not a practical solution. This vehicle only has 77,000 miles on it. I called daimler chrysler this morning and they said there is nothing they can do to help me. They stated the engine is only warranted up to 36,000 miles.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge intrepid. While driving 60 MPH, the contact heard a loud and fast clunking noise coming from the engine. He arrived home and called his mechanic. The mechanic arrived at the contact's residence and stated that the head gasket failed, which was a very common failure with that make and model vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 116,000.
We were driving our 2002 dodge intrepid and the engine light came on and then the engine shut off. I struggled to keep the car in control until I could pull off the side of the road. It was difficult because of loss of steering. The light had come on many times before but the service dept at my dodge dealer could not explain it. Now they say we need a new engine because of lack of oil changes. I just had the oil changed there and they did not mention sludge in the engine.
Impending failure of 2.7l engine installed in 2002 dodge intrepid. According to a mechanic a bearing(s) loses its plating and causes metal flakes to block oil galleries leading to oil starvation and eventual failure of the engine. This could lead to a mva if the failure occurs in traffic. Mine is starting to fail and according to the mechanic this has been a problem with intrepids.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge intrepid. While driving 20 MPH, the engine shut off. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the timing chain went through the engine block. The current mileage was 149,000 and failure mileage was 90,000.
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