2003 Dodge Intrepid: engine knocking or ticking

8 of the 106 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Intrepid describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints: 8
of this car's complaints: 8%
typical mileage: 70,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 10 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

2004
11
2003
8
2002
26
2001
77
2000
142
1999
127
1998
32
1997
3
1996
8
1995
3
1994
2
1993
3

What owners say

Filed Sep 24, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 86,000 miles · KY

The car has major engine problems like all the 03 2.7 l eng se. Connecting rods is falling out, and etc. The car is unbalance. I took the car today to find why the oli light was coming on when the vehicle thermostat rises. Turn out the engine isn't allowing the oil to reach the upper part of the engine and that is causing my vehicle to overheat and make noises on startup. And also when you reverse you hearthe car make a bad knock sound and feel the vibration. This car only has 86000 miles and the mechanics could only shake their heads. This car should be in better condition then this. Anyways, the cost for new engine with warranty is over $6000. And that includes everything! Now who has that type of money and why didn't dodge recall this problem on the 03 dodge intrepid??? All I want is the engine replace and dodge could do that at any of their companies or auto lots. I'm a simple person. I just want to work and be at peace.

Filed Apr 3, 2008 · Engine · 65,000 miles · NY

Cam position sensor has been replaced twice. Check engine comes on frequently but no code can be found by dealer. Engine has started with knocking noise.

Filed Dec 6, 2007 · Engine · 87,604 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge intrepid. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard a knocking sound in the engine. When the vehicle reached 2 RPM, the knocking became louder. The vehicle would not exceed 25 MPH. A diagnostic was performed that indicated there was an issue with the engine sensors. Currently, the engine will not start. The current and failure mileages were 87,604.

Filed Nov 23, 2007 · Engine · 86,260 miles · UT

My car had loss of power and yet it seemed ok except my gas mileage was not so good, and with no warning, no check engine light, or anything, I heard a really loud knocking noise in my engine and I had almost no power, I took it to a shop and they told me I have a rod knocking and I need a new engine. My car is a 2003 dodge intrepid, I have had it only a year, and I owe $9,000 on it still.

Filed May 19, 2006 · Engine · 70,000 miles · OH

The oil light in my wife's car would come on at an idle. The car had only 70,000 miles on it. The oil was changed every 3000 miles. Found very low oil pressure ( under 5 psi ). Removed rod and main bearings. The bearings looked like new. Used plastic gauge to measure bearing clearance. Found the clearance to be .003". The spec is .0015" to .002". I found that dodge makes a .001" undersize bearing for this problem. This leads me to believe that the crank shafts were undersize from the factory. With only .001" of "wear" the engine could not maintain oil pressure. When I ordered the undersize bearings I got another surprise. In all the engines I have rebuilt the bearing kits run about $50. Dodge is charging $40 each for the main bearings and $64 each for the rod bearings. The total bill for rod and main bearings came to $500. Could there be a little price gouging going on to finance the legal battle with these engines.

Filed Aug 25, 2005 · Engine · 50 miles · AL

My 2003 dodge intrepid engine failed while my daughter was driving it in october 2004. The engine had approximately 50,000 miles on it. There were no warning lights, no indication that anything was wrong with the vehicle until it started making a horrible knocking sound. It was taken to the dodge dealership and the service technician told us the problem was caused by sludge. The oil had been changed every 3000 miles. The dodge technician said the sludge could not have built up to the point it was even if the oil had never been changed. We consulted an independent technician who says the sludge is a result of manufacturer's defect in the design of the engine. The cost of a new engine would be around $6000 which we cannot afford, and is in fact about the same as the trade-in value of the vehicle if it were working, which it isn't. Even if we could afford it, our research indicates that we would probably have to replace the engine yet again before the car is even paid for. We believe there is a major defect in the design of the engine, resulting in financial and emotional injury to our family.

Filed May 24, 2005 · Engine · 50,000 miles · MD

Dt: the contact owns a 2003 dodge intrepid. She states that engine will not work. She took vehicle to a repair shop, and they said the engine was filled with sludge. The engine was knocking really badly while was driving. She stopped the vehilce and then that is when she took it to the repair shop. Vehicle has 50000 miles on it.

Filed Oct 20, 2004 · Engine · MD

When the consumer applied the accelerator pedal, the consumer heard a loud knocking noise . The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the idle pulley needed to be replaced. It has since been replaced three times. Please provide further details.