Dodge Intrepid oil consumption problems

Filed Feb 28, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 129,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge intrepid. The contact stated that when driving approximately 55 MPH or less, she would hear a loud knocking noise with the illumination of the low oil warning light. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they advised her that there was sludge in the motor, which needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was repaired by cleaning the sludge out of the engine however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where they advised that the fuel and the cam sensor could have been the cause of the failure. The vehicle was repaired for both components. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000. The current mileage was approximately 130,000. Updated 04/02/13

Filed Aug 19, 2010 · Engine · 97,054 miles · VA

1999 dodge intrepid - 2.7 litre engine. Rpm's periodically dropped (like the engine was going to cut out), black smoke from tailpipe (signifying burning oil) while idling or upon takeoff from a dead stop. Engine seized 08/19/10 - no warnings whatsoever. Total failure - must replace it at a cost of $6000.

Filed Jan 28, 2009 · Engine · 80,000 miles · NV

While idling at a stop light an officer of the law was behind me as the light change I made my way to my destination only to be stopped by said officer. He stated that when I pulled away at the light there was a big smoke trail leaving my exhaust. I informed him of the many troubles with the 2.7l chrysler engine he informed me that if I continue to drive I would be cited for epa violations. The car has 80,432 miles and has been burning oil at a constant rate. Now the oil pressure sending unit is leaking also which by reading some complaints is what happens just before total breakdown. Something has to be done about this will cost aprx. $2600 to rebuild engine.

Filed Jan 21, 2009 · Engine · 87,000 miles · OR

The 2003 dodge intrepid 2.7l engine has a "design flaw" that causes excessive oil sludge and engines to seize up with no warning. This puts the driver and anyone else on the road at risk of collision. My car has 85,000 miles on it and has never missed scheduled maintenance it should not need 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.

Filed Jun 28, 2008 · Engine · 98,584 miles · OH

Traveling down I-77 south going through west virginia I smelled burning oil the car lost power then shut off completely pulled off the highway and tried to restart but all it did was click.

Filed May 15, 2008 · Engine · 39,500 miles · IN

Initially my 2000 dodge intrepid began making a clanking noise under the hood as I was driving about 30mph. I have always maintained regular oil changes of 3000 miles or less, but when I checked the oil, it was about a quart low (which it had not ever been low before.) when I opened the crankcase to add oil, the cap was full of sludge. I took the car in to have the engine flushed with oil, replaced the oil and filter, and also had lucas added to the engine. The noise continued. I then took the car to my mechanic. It was determined that the timing belt tensioner had to be replaced. All parts were ordered directly from chrysler. Less than 125 miles later, the noise began again. I took the car back to my mechanic. He contacted chrysler, then, per chrysler, added two separate additives to the crankcase. This was supposed to make the tensioner work properly. However, the noise continued to get worse in the few days that followed. (I was told to drive the car to see if these additives would work.) the engine stopped without warning. I had the car towed to my mechanic. He eventually was able to determine that the engine failed due to low oil pressure. After notifying chrysler, I had to have the car towed to the local dealership for a diagnostics. The dealership said that the rod bearings were bad and the engine has to be replaced. The dealership says it will be $5400 for a new engine. I do not have the money to get this fixed. I have already spent $1300 on the engine plus the cost of two tows. I still owe on this car and cannot use it. The car only has 39k miles on this original engine. I will never drive, rent, or own another dodge or chrysler vehicle again because I truly believe that chrysler knows that they have a serious problem with these engines and have no integrity to make it right.

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 May 1, 2008 · Engine, Transmission · 95,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Oct 4, 2007 · Engine · 70,000 miles · OH

In july of 2007 I bought a 1999 dodge intrepid for my daughter's first car. I paid 3,000.00 for it from an elderly lady in town. Within 2 months the timing chain snapped and wound itself around inside the engine and blew through the cam cover. It was towed to a service station and the engine was taken apart. I was told that the 2.7 l engines are noted for overheating causing oil sludge to build up and the timing chains to break. I was also told it would cost me 4400.00 to replace the engine with a used one.*jb updated 12-12-07. *kb updated