My experience with the Intrepid was wonderful, for the majority of the time. I used to drive it quite hard, and within inches of its classified use, but never seemed to be able to kill it. I recently graduated from college, and after going through all the moving, traveling, and etc, it turned into my daily driver, as reliable as the came, or so i thought. I never let the hype of the dodge "failure" stories get to me, and wanted to be the first guy to have a new model dodge roll over 500k, but I guess I won't be seeing that mark.

One day, on a long 100 mile commute to a family members house on a hot day, I noticed the car missing a few sparks, I assumed it was probably a bad plug or etc, so I shrugged it off for a few days, until I had a moment to get to the plug replacements. I put new ones in and the problem seemingly went away. About a week later, I noticed the same issue, and now the car was knocking a bit. After visiting a local dealer, I was informed it was probably just a lifter, and could be replaced for about 500.00, but the lifter wouldn't affect much as long as it didn't get louder. By this time, the oil light was coming on quite a bit, but only out of gear, in park and N. I assumed this might just be a low idle issue, and I would get to it next week. Time went on, a few weeks, and on my daily 20 mile drive, I hit 18 and the car failed. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what the hell was wrong.

I towed it to a local shop, and after a 1200.00 price tag to replace the oil pump and various other worn out items, I was informed that i was having oil flow problems, and they thought they fixed it. A week later, i drive 15-20 miles and the same thing happens. I tow it back to the shop, leave it there for 3 days, and am again assured it will be good to go.

Needless to say, the issue still exists.

The car has about 130k miles, knocks on start up and high rpm's, and the oil light still comes on quite a bit. I can drive it about 10 miles or more at a time without it getting too "sluggish".

I was very upset to find all of the other complaints filed with various agencies, and plan to start some case files of my own in the near future, while I try to figure out some way to ditch this PoS. I wish I could sell it to the son of a Chrysler Employee. Karma !!

My family has had Dodge vehicles for over 40 years. My wife and I loved this car until the timing chain tensioner stuck because of sludge buildup. The motor was so sludged up, a new one would not work because the oil ports that operate the tensioner were too plugged up. My car has been maintained more so than most I'm sure. After encountering this problem I've researched and found this to be a common problem with this motor. One Dodge should have taken care of before now. Now I am setting on a perfectly good car with a bad motor that I can't get over $1000 for that should be worth about $6000 in running condition. This car has only 53,000 Mi. on it. If Dodge can't take responsibility for there mistakes they will feel the repercussion in the future whether they think so or not. I'm not done with this. I've found out the same problem has occurred at least 5 times in my little town of 2800 people. Something needs to be done, but I don't know what. My family has been helping me with this, and I can assure you they will never buy a Chrysler product again untill they take responsibility for there problems. This should be a recall issue. I've found used motors to put in this car, but who wants to spend $2500 for a used motor plus labor? I asked, how come so much for a used motor , they replied, try finding a good 2.7l motor, you won,t find one!!! I used to brag on Chrysler products, but never again, until this is taken care of.

Randy A Crain

Crain Mechanical Services, Inc

Covington, In

first off I was happy with my car and like everyone else that I've been reading about the oil light comes on and then the bad news is told to me, I got a blown engine due to sludge, so I get a used engine with like 20,000 miles everything goes ok for a yr or so and then the engine light comes on again and I'm like damn I know this is not gonna happen again to me so I take it in again and of course more bad news sludge for my engine which is gonna result in me getting a new engine so now I had to shell out like 2000 for the used engine and now I gotta shell out another 3000 cuz I don't have good credit to get me to another car I know one thing Dodge will never get me again and I'll make sure I do everything to tell everyone never to purchase Dodge anything

My Dodge is useless like everyone elses. Sludge??? I took great care of my car. The oil was just changed last week. I want to pass on to everyone that Dodge does have a company that is working for them and trying to settle these LITTLE PROBLEMS that we are having. What that exactly means I don't know. I faxed this company an estimate and a exact diagnosis from the dealership and they accepted a hand written account of the dates and miles that I had my oil changed since i bought this car. They said if Dodge does DECIDE to help me I'll know within 2 weeks. I'll keep y'all updated. The person that e-mailed me back from Dodge is Allison/ Senior Staff Representative/ e-mail is customer@daimlerchrysler.com They will act like your the first person thats had problems with this engine 2.7L but they are very aware that this engine was built wrong. Google 2.7 L and you'll see. Good luck all and I'll be back when i hear from them.

My 2000 Dodge Intrepid just blew two Rod Bearings and the Chain in the front Crank Case cut all the through the metal after 81,000 miles and 6 years of owning the vehicle. The problem all started when I had to have my seat replaced via the seat recall Dodge issued (which the dealership did not notify me about, I had to find this out myself via the internet). So, I took my 2000 Dodge Intrepid into my local dealership, to have the seat replaced and while they were at it, I authorized some other repairs that needed to be done to my Intrepid (all out of warranty). I get the car back a day or two later, drive it off the lot and start to hear a “knocking” sound when the RPM’s would hit around 4000 – 5000 RPM’s. The “knocking” went on for another day or two without clearing up, so I took my 2000 Dodge Intrepid back to dealership to find out what the deal was, since they just serviced my vehicle. The dealership told me that I would have to pay them another $380.00 to have my engine pulled apart to diagnose the problem. I was very upset about this, but gave them permission to do pull the engine apart to fix the problem, figuring this would all be covered by their 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty they provide on their work/repairs they do. I get a call 2 – 3 hours later stating that the news is not good and that my 2000 Dodge Intrepid had two blown Rod Bearings, as well as the Chain had cut all the way through the Crank Case. The dealership blamed this on being poorly maintained, then when I told them that was not accurate, as I was very religious on changing my oil every 3,000 miles, they tried to blame the problem on Oil Sludge caused by the Oil I was using (Pennzoil). I asked Dodge how Pennzoil would feel if I told them that Dodge was telling their customer’s that Pennzoil Oil caused Oil Sludge and the dealership had no comment. They also didn’t have any comment on why other engines run & last using Pennzoil Oil and their engines do not, still no good answer from them. I have since, contacted my attorney and am pursuing a law suite against my local Dodge Dealer, as well as complained to their Corporate Office (1-800-992-1997 or www.dodge.com ) and have filed a complaint with the BBB (www.bbb. org). I advise everyone that has ran into this same issue to do the same, this is a Lemon Engine and all consumers should be made aware of this awful design for this 2.7L V6 in the 2000 Dodge Intrepid, DON’T BUY THIS CAR!!!

I purchased my intrepid on 2/04/05 used for $5,400 cash. it was a pretty car and roomy. I needed something with space as i had to have a car seat in the back for my grandchild. 11 months after buying my car the oil light came on but the oil was fine , it was full and clean. the engine started knocking and acting strange. My mechanic looked at it and said it is the engine it is no good.

I am still paying insurance on my car because i invested alot of money in my car and i need to protect my investment. Ialso feel like dodge should replace the engine in these cars it is their screw up and all of us normal people do not have that kind of money to fix a problem that is a damn defect though the companies manufacturing design flaws...

I bought my car believing i would get at least 5 good years out of it and i did not even get 1 damn year out of it !

are they going to fix this issue ?

I am a mother of 4, we bought the car in 2000, excited that it was our first "new" car. Never gave us any problems, and always had it serviced on time, until we made a trip to Colorado. My husband noticed it was leaking oil, took it to get fixed before returning, we made it to Arizona when the "check engine" light came on, I pulled over to the next exit, and it died out at the stop, NEVER started again. We had to rent a u-haul to haul it back! I'm still paying on the darn thing! We took it to a shop, and couldn't belive it needed a new engine! I called around for prices and 1 place ADMITTED to me that the 99-01 2.7 engine has made them A LOT of Money!!!!!! And said that DODGE knew about the engine problem, but didn't care as long as it made it past their 3 yr. 36,000 mile warranty! I live pay check to pay check, I can't afford $4000 for a new/refurbished engine! I used to rave about how much I LOVED my car! Now I just warn Intrepid owners! They SUCK! Dodge SUCKS! I'll never buy another one again!

I drove this car with little to no problems until it hit this mileage and then the oil light came on, there was a clunking sound in the engine, and it was over all in less than 15 minutes. I had the mechanic come to my home to get it and when he had it back at his shop the verdict was it needs a new motor. Well this is the first time in my life I have ever kept a car until it had this many miles on it, or until it was almost paid off (2.5 more payments). This was going to be the car my 15 year old putted around town in, well so much for that dream. It is at the shop waiting for me to save up the 2 grand to have a rebuilt used motor put in it. I was asked well did you change the oil like you should... well yes was my answer, but with the looks of the motor you would never believe me. I am wondering if I should even mess with it.

oil pump failed due to sludge, and overheat damage as well, which cause failed to up part of engine and some bearing damage. instead of pulling the engine and throwing away, i felt a tear down of the engine to find out why this is why it failed.

UPDATE: I have been working on repairing the 2.7 rebuilding, as i have been cleaning the sludge, which was just like grease all the oil ports that the oil travels though to get to all the parts have be so hard to where i had to drill each port out, even where the cam sits which had no sign of sludge, i ran reamer and even this area it was loaded inside, what it is coming down to two cause vent which is the PCV which helps the engine, and the oil pumps that are place in these engine dose not put out enough oil pressure volume is not enough and so far i can't fine a high pressure pump they out there for all vehicle but not for this one, and some part are hard to fine. all this cause a connecting rod bearing burned out so bad there was nothing left, it was a good thing my ex-wife notice a knocking noise after a oil change, what i have also notice was the oil that was use was non-detergent oil, that might be the factor, a oil that has a cleaning agent, may be what is needed to help keep the sludge down, and change the oil more, if you look at the owners manual shows two type of schedules for oil change drop if the car is use in a short hop manner so oil change at 2000 miles instead of 3000 to 5000, and use a detergent oil. i will add on to this once i finish and with these changes make a difference, i plan to drop the oil pan after 40,000 to see what is happening.

This Is Straight Bullshit, thats the best way to start it..... the usual REPEATED complaint with this engine, it really sucked because when this engine DID run right, it was pretty quick, sounded mean for a "family" car, and even tho chrysler seems to think the average consumer is an IDIOT and assumes noone knows how to turn a bolt and spin a filter (which low and behold DOESNT MAKE A DAMN BIT OF DIFFERENCE if you do..... it WILL die anyway) ........

bigger problem, the dealership is run by a bunch of disgusting SCUMBAGS, my fiancee bought this car and for one:

it was NOT disclosed that the car had been Wrecked, but i know it was by this: 1. The Heater Blew Glass At Us 2. The ONLY key for the car DOES NOT work in the passenger door 3. The Right Headlight Lens seems to be aging alot better than the right one 4. When Retrieving the craptastic "jack" to change the oil, I found a Door Hinge In The Trunk

then if thats not bad enough, they SCREWED her out of an extra $1,050 for an extended waranty, which they now refuse to cover as the car is past 60 k (by 7,22??? WTF?) not to mention, the "contract" Should have been invalid to begin with as they sold her the car with 21,000 miles already........

so now the usual part of the complaint, i took care of it, more than it needed to be even as i come from a long line of mechanics in my family,

so just a few nights ago, the usual 2.7 death occured....

i was doing a steady 65mph, about 2,500 rpm, so i noticed that my foot hadnt moved but i was losing speed, so i turned the radio down to listen as i FELT the gas pedal shake under my foot, sure enough i hear a sound most similar to a coffee can full of wrenches, i pulled it over immediately (too late anyway) and as soon as i hit the brake, didnt even have time to put it in park, it promptly stalled, i wasnt 100% sure, but now that ive looked at this site and a few others, i know its the timing belt and i know the engine is lunch, it was reliable as hell before this happened, quite sad, but what bothers me worse:

My Fiancee Owes More Than The Shitbox is Worth, and is stressed out as she has to now pay for it and cant drive it, shes afraid of what the collectors and credit agencies will do to her if she tells them to take their car and shove it, and also we absolutely CANT afford the ive heard from 3 all the way up to $8000 it fix it, (we could barely afford what it cost to have it towed twice (the shop for overnight storage charged a days storage as well.... as it died on a major highway at 1am, then i had to tow it from there to home)

even worse, she thinks the cars failure was her fault, i plan to bring her to these sites so i cant finally show her otherwise.........

ill make the junk engine run again, just long enough to trade it in........

oh..... a lil more icing for the cake, the guy that towed it home for me swore he had towed that same car before, the previous owner told them to keep it.........

GOOD JOB DODGE, way to violate and tarnish the words "Made In America"..... oh wait.... this craptastic rolling problem got built in canada....... wonderful.......