1999 DODGE INTREPID Complaints

DEC 1, 2006 - MILEAGE: UNDER 78K - PROBLEM: IT WAS TIME FOR ROUTINE TUNE UP ON MY CAR, ONCE I POPPED THE HOOD I WENT DIRECTLY FOR THE OIL TANK/ENGINE FIRST THING. PCV VALVE NEEDED REPLACING, UPON TAKING SAID VALVE OFF I NOTICED A LOT OF HEAVY GUNK OR "SLUDGE" IF YOU WILL. PUT ON BRAND NEW PCV VALVE KIT BOUGHT FROM MOPAR AND CONTINUED ON WITH THE REST OF THE TUNE-UP. THINKING BACK TO ALL THE SLUDGE I FOUND ON THE OLD PCV VALVE I BEGAN TO REALLY WONDER AS THIS AMOUNT OF SLUDGE WAS NOT NORMAL FOR A CAR THAT'S KEPT UP WITH EXACTLY HOW THE OWNERS MANUAL DICTATES. UPON RESEARCH I FOUND THAT "OIL SLUDGE" IS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE INTREPID 2.7L ENGINE AND POSSIBLE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SAID PROBLEM INCLUDED: "HEAVY AMOUNTS OF SLUDGE FOUND ON PCV VALVES, SLIGHTLY NOTICEABLE GREY/BLUE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST AND OVER ALL DIMINISHING PERFORMANCE" ALL OF WHICH MY CAR HAS/IS SHOWING SIGNS OF. FROM ALL THAT I'VE READ AND ALL "SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR" I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THIS ENGINE IS MORE THEN LIKELY READY TO BLOW IF NOT THIS YEAR THEN EARLY NEXT YEAR. FROM THE SAME AMOUNTS OF COMPLAINTS I'VE SEEN ON THIS ENGINE I REALLY FEEL THIS SHOULD BE CHRYSLERS RESPONSIBILITY TO RECALL THIS ENGINE AS IT DOES POSE A VERY SERIOUS, HIGHLY DANGEROUS THREAT AS THE MOTOR WILL STOP AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT WITH NO WARNING AND NO IMMEDIATE NOTICEABLE CAUSE. IT'S NOT FAIR ONCE THIS FAULTY ENGINE DIES THAT THE CONSUMER GETS SLAPPED WITH THE REPAIR BILL! *NM

THERE WERE EVENTS OR WARNING SIGNS LEADING UP TO THIS EVENT. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY IMMEDIATE ENGINE SHUT-DOWN. WE ALMOST WRECK TRYING TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE COLD, UNTIL MY MOM COULD GET THERE TO PICK US UP. AFTER I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP, AND THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED MY PROBLEM I WAS IN TEARS. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MY ENGINE WAS BLOWN DUE TO BUILD UP OF SLUDGE, AND YET I CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES. HE TOLD ME IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AND THAT IT WOULD COST ANYWHERE FROM $4000-8000 TO GET IT BACK ON THE ROAD. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH A VERY SMALL INCOME FROM A PART TIME JOB, ATTEND COLLEGE FULL TIME, AND AM TRYING TO RAISE MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER BY MYSELF. THERE IS NO WAY THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO FIX THIS CAR, NOR DO I WANT TO SO IT CAN DO IT AGAIN SO THAT THE EXACT SAME THING CAN HAPPENED A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER WITH JUNK MOTORS. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE, SO MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE ON FOOT. THIS INFURIATES ME, BECAUSE THE MONEY GREEDY PEOPLE AT DAIMLER CHRYSLER WOULD NOT ADHERE TO THE REPEATED RECOMMENDATIONS TO RECALL THESE MOTORS. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE TO ME THAT THEY CAN ACT SO RECKLESSLY AND PUT THE LIVES OF MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE INTENTIONALLY IN HARMS WAYS BY IGNORING YOU, ME, AND THE THOUSANDS LIKE US. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR OUR JUNK MOTORS AS WELL AS SOME RESTITUTION FOR THE SERIOUS FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL HARDSHIPS THEY HAVE INTENTIONALLY INFLICTED UPON US. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE/CHRYSLER PRODUCT NOR WILL I ALLOW ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN TO ME. I THINK THAT WE SHOULD GET EVERYONE TO BOYCOTT THEM, AND PLASTER THE LINKS TO THESE WEBSITES TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. THEY DESERVE TO BE WARNED AT THE CATASTROPHES THAT LIE IN THEIR FUTURE. IF WE GET A LAWSUIT PLEASE LET ME BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO KNOW. I WISH EVERYONE OF MY FELLOW VICTIMS THE BEST OF LUCK WITH THIS NIGHTMARE. *JB

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE..IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT NOTICE. MY 4YR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR WERE LOST, I ALMOST GOT INTO A WRECK WHILE TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO IN RETURN TOLD ME THAT MY MOTOR WAS TRASH, AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES EVERY TIME AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER, WHOM I KNEW VERY WELL, TOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF THE CAR AS WELL. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE PISTONS BLEW DUE TO BUILD UP OF ENGINE SLUDGE, AND THAT THE MOTOR WAS NOT WORTH FIXING, AND THAT I SHOULD BUY A REBUILT OR NEW MOTOR. I BEGAN TO RESEARCH THIS DATA ON THE INTERNET WHEN I CAME ACROSS YOUR WEBSITE AND MANY MORE LIKE IT. I QUICKLY BECAME INFURIATED WITH THE DODGE COMPANY, AS THEY ARE AWARE OF THEIR FAULTY ENGINES, YET THEY CONTINUE TO BLAME THE CONSUMER AND REFUSE TO RECALL THESE MOTORS. MY DAUGHTER AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED HAD WE BEEN TRAVELING MUCH FASTER OR BEEN IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION, SUCH AS TRAIN TRACKS NEAR OUR HOUSE. THIS IS COMPLETELY ABSURD, DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM,YET REFUSE TO BACK THEIR PRODUCTS. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE OR CHRYSLER PRODUCT AGAIN, AND I WILL NOT LET ANY FRIENDS, FAMILY, OR ANYONE ELSE READING THIS DO SO EITHER. IF YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE PRODUCING JUNK MOTORS, SHOULDN'T YOU PROVIDE YOUR CONSUMERS WITH THE RESPECT TO WARN THEM OF THE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS THAT AWAIT THEM. IF THERE ARE DEATHS BECAUSE OF THIS, CAN YOU REALLY GET AN HONEST NIGHTS REST??? I HAVE LOST ALL RESPECT FOR DODGE THAT I ONCE HAD. I NOW HAVE A CAR SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY THAT IS WORTHLESS AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE I CAN'T INVEST 4-8K INTO THE CAR FOR THE NEW ENGINE NEEDED...WHY BOTHER ANYWAY WHEN THAT MOTOR WOULD DO THE EXACT SAME THING IN A MATTER OF TIME..BECAUSE IT IS ABSOLUTE JUNK. *JB

DODGE INTREPID 1998 TO LATEST MODEL YEAR. ENGINE 2.7L PROBLEM ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THIS ENGINE CAUSED BY THE WATER PUMP. THE WEEP (VENT) HOLE IS LOCATED BETWEEN THE HEADS IN THE "V" VALLEY OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE WEEP HOLE IS TO ALERT THE OWNER OR MECHANIC OF A EARLY SIGN THAT THE WATER PUMP IS ABOUT TO FAIL. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE WEEP HOLE IS LOCATED IN THE ENGINE VALLEY AND CANNOT BE SEEN. ANY ENGINE COOLANT THAT DRAINS IN THE VALLEY EVAPORATES DUE TO ENGINE HEAT AND TIME. AS TIME GOES ON THE FRONT AND LAST SEAL IN THE PUMP FAILS AND COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE ENGINE OIL CAUSING SLUDGE AND ENGINE FAILURE. THE WEEP HOLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ROUTED TO THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE SO THE OWNER MECHANIC CAN SEE A COOLANT LEAK. A WATER PUMP SHOULD NEVER BE IN A LOCATION WHERE IT'S FAILURE COULD CAUSE COOLANT TO MIX INTO THE ENGINE OIL, THIS IS THE DESIGN FLAW! THIS IS WHY I FEEL THAT THESE ENGINE FAIL WITH MILEAGE OF LITTLE AS 30,000 MILES. WATER PUMPS CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING. IN THIS CASE WITH THE 2.7L ENGINE THERE IS NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. THE CAR I HAVE, I PURCHASED WITH A FAILED ENGINE AND WILL REPAIR THE 2.7L ENGINE AND ALTER THE WEEP HOLE WITH A SMALL COPPER PIPE AND ROUTE IT SO IT CAN BE SEEN IF COOLANT LEAKS. I HAVE PHOTO'S OF THE WEEP HOLE IF YOU NEED THEM. *JB

I WAS DRIVING NEIGHBOR AND GRANDSON DOWN INTERSTATE TO DESTINATION 25 MILES. AWAY. APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES INTO TRIP BEGAN TO FEEL CAR PULLING BACK AS I TRIED TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED OF 60 MPH. CAR STALLED AS I EXITED INTERSTATE AND EVERY TIME I HAD TO STOP. MADE IT TO DESTINATION AND CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AS I PULLED IN. CHECKED OIL AND RADIATOR, OIL DOWN X1QT. BARELY MADE IT HOME, AFTER RESTING CAR APPROX. 15 MINUTES USING EMERGENCY LIGHTS THE ENTIRE WAY HOME. STALLED 10 TIMES AFTER I EXITED INTERSTATE. TOOK TO REPUTABLE MECHANIC, HAD TO DRIVE SLOW BECAUSE CAR REFUSED TO ACCELERATE. FOUND OUT TIMING CHAIN BROKE, ESTIMATE $1,500.00 TO REPAIR. RECEIVED CALL 2 DAYS LATER, ENGINE SHOT DUE TO PISTON AND POSSIBLE RISK PIN DAMAGE DONE TO CYLINDERS. IT WOULD COST MUCH MORE MONEY TO DIAGNOSE EXACTLY DUE TO FACT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE TORN DOWN. WE BOUGHT CAR FROM INDIVIDUAL IN 2002, CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 93,000 MILES SOUNDS LIKE CHRYSLER OWES MANY PEOPLE A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY! WILL NEVER BUY CHRYSLER OR DODGE CAR AGAIN.*JB

HEAD LIGHTS ON VEHICLE BECAME CLOUDED UP. LIMITED VISION OF ROAD AT NIGHT. I TRY NOT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT, I DO NOT ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AT NIGHT. *NM

ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2006 I WAS DRIVING ALONG A SECONDARY HIGHWAY WHEN MY 1999 DODGE INTREPID STARTED TO BUCK ON ME. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE WAS SKIPPING AND UNBEKNOWNST TO ME SMOKE CAME OUT OF MY EXHAUST WHEN IT BUCKED . I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL COMPUTER TUNE AND LUBE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW MOTOR IN THE CAR TO THE TUNE OF 6500 DOLLARS. I BECAME ANGRY AND LIMPED MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME THAT SINCE I HAD A WARRANTY I COULD GET THE ENGINE FIXED THE ENGINE IS A 2.7 LITRE. I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP WHO PROCEEDED TO BREAK DOWN THE ENGINE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAD CONTACTED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND I SHOULD FORWARD ALL MAINTENANCE RECEIPTS TO THE COMPANY. NOW EARLIER THIS YEAR IN FEBRUARY MY CAR BROKE DOWN AND EVENTUALLY THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. WHEN THEY WERE DONE THE CHECKED OUT MY FLUIDS OIL AND OTHER ITEMS AND THAT SETTLED THAT. I ONLY PUT 5000 MILES ON THE CAR BETWEEN THEN AND NOW AND FROM WHAT THE DESCRIBED YOU WOULD THINK I RAN THE CAR INTO THE GROUND. I TAKE PRIDE IN MY CARS AND HAVE KEPT A CONSISTENT RECORD OF RUNNING THEM FOR TEN YEARS. THE WARRANTY COMPANY IS SENDING OUT AN INSPECTOR BUT THEY ARE GOING TO AVOID PAYING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR LAST YEAR AND ALREADY IT'S IN WORSE SHAPE THAN ANY OF MY PREVIOUS CARS @ TEN YEARS. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE ME AS TO A POSSIBLE RECOURSE TO THIS DILEMMA. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON CLEAR DRY ROADS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER 40 MINUTES, AND WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD MALFUNCTIONED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE, AND THEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WAS OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED AND WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE VALVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER.