Problems with 2001 Dodge Intrepid ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine began knocking quietly and was checked. i was asked if the oil was changed regularly and i informed them it was. the oil was at the proper level. a week later it began knocking very loudly and then just quit. i had aaa bring it home and after a few days had a mechanic check it out. he said the engine failed and needed replacing. this would cost roughly 3800.00. it cranked up but would not move over a few feet. i backed it into my garage and it still sits there while i finish paying the 3,000.00 that i still owe before i can fix the problem. i have done much research and found many people who are having this same problem. i found your information on autybytels site about this engine. *nm

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 dodge intrepid. the contact detected an unfamiliar noise in the engine compartment of the vehicle while driving. a local mechanic discovered a piece of metal in one of the sensors. the contact took the vehicle to another mechanic , who was unable to detect any failure. while on a road trip the vehicle failed again. the contact took the vehicle to a mechanic, who diagnosed the failure as the engine rod. the engine was replaced in may 2006 with a model three years newer and with 35,000 miles. the vehicle has currently begun to repeat the unfamiliar noise. a mechanic diagnosed the noise as possible engine failure again. the failure mileage was 76,000.*ak

I had just gotten my 2001 dodge intrepid our of the dealers repair bay where they replaced 6 parts on the car that were working before discovering that the timing belt had broken. we tested all of the parts later and they worked. this cost 1,400 dollars. 2 weeks later i was in my car on i-75 in atlanta, georgia when i suffered catastrophic engine failure at 75 miles per hour. the engine seized and i lost all power steering and had to force the car off of the highway across 3 lanes of traffic to the shoulder. after paying a 200 dollar towing bill i found out the accumulation of oil sludge in the top of the engine had caused the failure. the car has now been on a trailer in murray county georgia for 8 months and i don't have the money to replace the engine. after contacting dodge they said that they would not help with the repairs. they blamed it on me saying i didn't change the oil enough this cannot be true because we have religiously changed the oil every 3000 miles. i have done research on the topic and have found many other people with the same failures. dodge should be forced into repairing these problems. so here i sit this problem has almost killed my business because i cant afford a new car that is nice enough to take clients around in so i have to drive a piece of junk. you would think that these companies would care about their customers but once again daimler/chrysler proves that they don't give a darn about the people who make them profitable. unless this is resolved i will never have anything to do with a dodge, chrysler, or mercedes ever again and i swear i will tell every person i come in contact what these people are doing to their customers i may even start a negative ad campaign against dodge. i will take this to the ends of the earth before i let anyone i know run the risk of losing their lives due the incompetency of these money hungry sharks. *nm

In february of 2006 we purchased a 2001 dodge intrepid for our daughter to drive. in may of 2006 she was driving the intrepid south on us-131 just past the i-94 exchange when the engine started knocking. the oil light or check engine lights never came on. the car slowed down and came to a stop. thank god she was able to get the car over to the shoulder of the road safely before the engine quit. so after a $192.00 towing bill and being told the car was a piece of junk, we are making payments on a $5,000. dead horse in our driveway. *nm

I have a 2001 dodge intrepid. recently, while driving on interstate 70 the car's engine made a loud noise and then suddenly died. i was barely able to escape being struck by other cars as i steered onto an exit ramp. our local dodge dealership diagnosed the engine trouble as oil sludge requiring a new engine. we change our oil regularly. this is a well documented problem with the chrysler 2.7 l engine. (www.dontbuyone.org) chrysler has refused to do anything about it. *nm

I own a 2001 dodge intrepid with a 2.7l v-6 engine with just over 83,000 miles on it. driving between tampa and orlando florida, engine started making a rattling noise and lost power. no warning lights came on and the temperature gauge was normal. i was able to coast to nearby exit and get off of expressway, but stranded in remote area. it appeared car overheated with a burst bleeder housing. after getting it towed to orlando, i learned that the engine blew a head gasket and was damaged beyond repair. replacement quotes are in the range of $3,500 to $4,000 range. *jb

Blown engine with 62,075 miles. i have all service record on this 2001 dodge intrepid se 2.7 liter. *jb

Engine failure due to oil sludge. *nm

Engine on 2001 dodge intrepid failed on my way to work on 4/24/06. engine is 2.7l 6 cylinder dohc - timing chain broke - and engine is ruined. will cost 7,700 to replace. *jb

Pinging noise from engine, by the time i got home the timing chain broke the cover. car towed to dodge dealer where they indicated it needs a new engine. $7-8000. i noticed a fair amount of sludge in the engine and found similar complaints for the 2.7 engine in the intrepid. *nm

2001 dodge intrepid engine caught on fire. *ts the consumer had the cruise control on and soon saw smoke, then the coolant light illuminated. *jb

Driving on highway when engine suddenly started making ticking noises, then eventually choking and then quit. couldn't get it started, had it towed to mechanic who said only 2 qts of oil in engine. oil light never came on, no warning whatsoever. changed oil and mechanic said there was still a ticking noise that wouldn't go away and engine was probably "toast" and they could do nothing to repair it, replacement would be only option. car is now sitting because it doesn't run correctly and engine most probably ruined, p1391 code (camshaft or cam) problem. read about many other 2.7l engine problems and it was suggested to me to file a complaint with nhtsa because it was "interested" in the problem, haven't called chrysler because i know of no one who has had success in getting chrysler to resolve the problem. *nm

My dodge intrepid se 2.7l engine suffered a blown engine with no warning on 4-16-06 on my way home from work. there were no indications of a problem, no warning lights and no signs of overheating. i suddenly heard a rattling noise coming from the engine that increased quickly to a loud banging. i got off the exit immediately and coasted into a hotel parking lot. i turned off the engine and raised the hood to see antifreeze all over the engine. i removed the cap to the coolant container and brown antifreeze boiled over onto the ground. the oil had been changed on 2/7/06 and the fluids topped off. the oil and fluids had been checked every week after that up until the engine blew and the fluids were of normal color and consistency. the car had approximately 65,000 miles on it when i purchased it and proper maintenance had been maintained throughout the time i have had my it. the car had just recently reached 100,000 miles and i still owe nearly $5000 on this car, have no vehicle to get to work and can't afford to buy a new one with the car payment i have to make on it each month. i have been told repeatedly that the 2.7l engine is worthless and there was nothing i could have done to prevent this catastrophe from occurring. it would cost me approximately $2000-$3000 to repair or replace the engine with no guarantee it wouldn't sludge up again and blow a second time. i also experienced numerous other problems from day one, such as constant squealing from the brakes and rotors despite changing them out twice, followed by problems with the steering from suspension problems and problem steering bolts. the problems on this car from day one range from the issues mentioned before to electrical shorts, faulty steering bolts, broken the-rod ends and suspension problems all of which are common issues i have researched and found on numerous blogs and websites such as dodgeintrepid.net. *nm

My dodge intrepid se 2.7l engine suffered a blown engine with no warning on 4-16-06 on my way home from work. there were no indications of a problem, no warning lights and no signs of overheating. i suddenly heard a rattling noise coming from the engine that increased quickly to a loud banging. i got off the exit immediately and coasted into a hotel parking lot. i turned off the engine and raised the hood to see antifreeze all over the engine. i removed the cap to the coolant container and brown antifreeze boiled over onto the ground. the oil had been changed on 2/7/06 and the fluids topped off. the oil and fluids had been checked every week after that up until the engine blew and the fluids were of normal color and consistency. the car had approximately 65,000 miles on it when i purchased it and proper maintenance had been maintained throughout the time i have had my it. the car had just recently reached 100,000 miles and i still owe nearly $5000 on this car, have no vehicle to get to work and can't afford to buy a new one with the car payment i have to make on it each month. i have been told repeatedly that the 2.7l engine is worthless and there was nothing i could have done to prevent this catastrophe from occurring. it would cost me approximately $2000-$3000 to repair or replace the engine with no guarantee it wouldn't sludge up again and blow a second time. i also experienced numerous other problems from day one, such as constant squealing from the brakes and rotors despite changing them out twice, followed by problems with the steering from suspension problems and problem steering bolts. the problems on this car from day one range from the issues mentioned before to electrical shorts, faulty steering bolts, broken the-rod ends and suspension problems all of which are common issues i have researched and found on numerous blogs and websites such as dodgeintrepid.net. *nm

Engine of 2001 dodge intrepid went out on the highway. car was well kept and had no prior problems. my family and myself was stuck on the highway for 2 hours before being helped. *jb

My wife was driving to work and within one block from her office, she called me and told me that her vehicle was idling rough. she also informed me that the 6 mile trip in she could not get any heat to come out of the heater. as the light turned green to go she made the turn and was able to clear the intersection when she lost power and the car died. she told me that the car lost steering and she coasted it off of the road 1/2 block from her office. she stated that the only warning she had was it was idling rough. she stated that the temperature gauge was normal. i arrived on scene and discovered anti-freeze in the oil. we had it towed to the dodge dealer in town and was later told that a head gasket had blown. it is unknown if there is any damage to either head or block. we have been quoted any where from 2000 to 7600 to fix. we have 15 months left on the loan and the car has 67,000 miles. i did a little research on the internet and learned that my wife had the same mysterious heater problems has other intrepid owners. a closer look at the oil cap does show signs of possible sludge. we have serviced the vehicle each and every time it was needed and had just recently received one. the scary part of all of this is the fact that she completely lost all power. *jb

2001 dodge intrepid 2.7 l engine engine failed at 108,000 miles after having service done regularly throught life of car.

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35mph the engine stalled and operated at a reduced speed. a banging noise came from the engine followed by white smoke. there was no evidence of a fire. no warning lights illuminated to indicate a failure. the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership for inspection. the service department removed the oil pan and determined the engine needed to be replaced.

Our 2001 dodge intrepid engine died which only has 78,000 miles. two mechanics told us it would be better to junk it. it would cost between 4000- 5000 to replace the engine. the car is paid off already so we have a paid off car sitting in our driveway unable to drive. we called dodge and all they said was that they would give us the full value of the car if we purchased another dodge. we don't want another dodge or car payment. we just want our car to work. *jb

The day after i got a routine oil change on my 2001 dodge intrepid, i was driving in town and my car seized up and died. i did not know what to do, so i put it in park and tried to restart it. i was on a hill and fortunately, was not traveling fast so i was able to drift in neutral to a curb. what a feeling, a sudden jolt, losing control of the steering and the brakes. i certainly did not expect the news that was to follow. i had the car towed to a dealer and was told that i needed a new engine and the cost would be about $5500.00. how could that be? there is only 48,700 miles on this car and i have it serviced every 3000 miles. i certainly cannot afford to put a new or rebuilt engine in this car and still have a loan on if for over $4000.00. i began to investigate and found out that the company has been well aware of the problem with the 2.7 liter engines and are doing nothing about it. there is even a clause that states that extended warranties are not available on this engine. furthermore, i understand that the trade-in value of any car with this engine has gone drastically down. we, the consumers, are being shafted by dodge. i loved this car and expected to own it for at least 10 years. now it has become my biggest nightmare. any. *jb

1. i left work to go to lunch and my car wouldn't start. the mechanic couldn't get it started so i had to have it towed to the mechanic's garage. he gave me the bad news stating that it would be very expensive. 2. premature engine problems in my 2001 dodge intrepid engine with oil sludge and timing chain failure causing engine damage and failure. 3. i bought the car used in 08/2005. i purchased an extended service contract that covered most repair cost, except $625.78. this doesn't include the two towing cost that i had to pay. i was also without a car for about 3 weeks as the dealership wouldn't give me a loaner and my insurance doesn't cover a loaner. we have no public transportation in our small community which really created a hardship. *nm

Engine failure. as i was stopped and attempting to accelerate, the motor suddenly made a very loud clanking sound. there are approximately only 72,200 miles on the car. i just bought in november of last year and even a few days after the initial purchase, i had returned it to them informing of them of trouble and the sales mgr assured me he would take care of it. they would return it to me untouched and not investigated unbeknownst to me at that time. according to the service mgr, he was advised by the sales mgr not to even look at it. they had the car in their possession more than i did until recently when this occurred. *jb

After purchasing 2001 intrepid in january of 2006 eight days later engine made loud scary noises while visiting family 250 miles away- i drove home and two days later engine failed- was towed to the used auto dealer where i purchased it. less than two weeks after purchase, the engine had new chain, tensioner guides, cleaned intake valves, covers etc. approximately $1100.00 in repairs. i got the vehicle back in february of 06. on march 22, 2006 the engine blew while i was going to work. the warranty company will not touch it- the first time they refused and the second time is yet to be determined- i am without a vehicle and am pursuing legal options including opting in to a class action, pa attorney general, consumer protection bureau, private attorney since the check engine light was on when i drove the vehicle off the lot in the first place ( a cold winter night, i had two of my children with me and had to get them home, i called the dealer upon my arrival home to inform him of same). *nm

I was driving the car when it suddenly started running rough. it was in the afternoon on a moderately busy street. before i had a chance to stop and see what the problem was the car died. i called a tow truck and waited in traffic for the truck to come and take me to the mechanics. the engine needed to be replaced. we were able to find a used engine but the problem is that it's another intrepid engine - so, is the same thing going to happen again. our car is a 2001 and had only approx. 73000 miles. it was a new car purchase and we still owe money on this car. now we owe more. *nm

The oil light on my 2001 dodge intrepid began flickering at stop lights. i took it to the dealership, and was told that i had a short in my electrical system, not a major issue. two months later, my engine began sputtering and died on the interstate during rush hour. i was able to restart it and make it to work with my engine smoking badly, but had to have it towed to a mechanic, who told me my engine was shot. dealership would do nothing. car had 81500 miles and warranty ran out at 80000. *jb

Vehicle's oil light flickered and approx. 20 minutes later, the car began tapping loudly. oil was changed about a month earlier. car was towed and it was determined that the engine was blown due to engine sludge. *nm

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 35mph, the engine stalled. the vehicle was towed to the dealership for inspection. the dealer determined the engine would have to be replaced due to sludge buildup. the vehicle is currently at the dealer waiting repair.

I also had a 2001 dodge intrepid that the engine failed at 70k miles. i was picking up my daughter and turned off my car and that was the end. i had my vehicle towed to a service center only to find out that the motor was blown. at the time (3/06) i owed nearly 6k on the car and it was off the road. i had no recourse but to have a "used" engine that cost me 3700.00 put in my car only to have it stolen on 11/12/06 from a bowing alley in connecticut. now i am out 3700.00 for the motor but also 5k balance on my loan and now no car. i have also sent my complaints to lawyers and settlements and have yet to hear anything from anybody. oh did i mention i don't have theft insurance yep no theft now what? *nm

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 15 mph the engine stalled and made a clunking noise. the engine would not restart and was towed to an independent repair shop. the mechanic determined the timing chain broke and the engine needed to be replaced, but no repairs were made. updated 10/11/07. *jb

Dt*: the contact stated a knocking sound was heard in the engine. the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop that determined there was a broken rod bearing, no repairs were made. then while traveling 30 mph the engine stalled and would not restart. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and has not been seen by a mechanic.

The car, without warning, died while being driven on the freeway. *nm

Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 45mph a knocking noise could be heard coming from the engine. the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and then towed to a garage. upon inspection the engine had failed. the manufacturer has been alerted.

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 70mph, a knocking noise was heard in the engine. several seconds after the noise was heard, the engine stalled. the vehicle was pulled to safety and towed to the dealer. they inspected and determined the problem was the engine filled with sludge build up and need replaced. the vehicle was then towed to an independent repair shop for further testing and repairs.

My 2001 dodge intrepid lost heat, smoke was pouring out of back of car,all dash gauges were normal and car stopped running. all of these things happened within seconds. the car was towed to the dealership where i bought it in 2001. service department said engine was bad and need to replace for $6500. i am disabled and still have to pay for car and insurance that's sitting in the driveway. also i paid for an extended warranty,they will not cover anything! *jb

In may 2005, my 2001 intrepid with the 2.7l engine left us stranded in the middle of the road due to overheating. the heater also would blow hot air only half the time. i was unaware of the 2.7l engine problem. the car also had an oil leak. towed the car to an authorized chrysler dealer. this dealer performed a diagnostic check on the car and found quite a few things wrong. contacted the 'extended' warranty company and they advised i needed to take the car to 'their' authorized dealer. had the car towed there also. the 'warranty' dealer also ran a diagnostics on the car and only found about half of the things wrong with the car. after fighting with the extended warranty for 10 days without a vehicle, they agreed to authorize the work. the dealer fixed the heating problem and replaced the water pump. they also fixed the oil leak and replaced a couple of gaskets. the dealer called us and informed us that the engine had sludge buildup and that a de-sludging was recommended. this of course not covered by the warranty. we decided to do the de-sludging at a $300 cost. we received the vehicle back on june 14th. well, on aprox. march 2nd, 2006 i was driving back from night school on interstate 10 when my engine started knocking. i was doing 60 mph. i stopped and checked the oil and it was normal. so i went on home. the next day, the car would not even start so i had the car towed to the same dealer as before. they ran a diagnostics check and said i need a new engine. aprox cost $6400. i owe 7k on this car still. the extended warranty will not authorize this work since they claim that the de-sludging voided the warranty. the dealer recommended it and the warranty had said they wouldn't pay for it but nothing ever came up about voiding the warranty. i'm stuck without a vehicle again, in a rental car of my own expense and no $$ to fix it at this time!!! *jb

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 dodge intrepid. the contact stated that the vehicle hesitates and shuts off between 5 and 35 mph. the failure occurs while turning and decelerating to stop. the oil and check engine lights illuminate on the instrument panel just before the vehicle shuts off. the contact has taken the vehicle to the shop and the oil pump, timing belt, and water pump were replaced. the current mileage was 98,000 and failure mileage was 86,000.

While driving my 2001 dodge intrepid down a gravel road the engine gave out and lost all power steering and brakes. am just happy that i was not going very fast do to the gravel and my two young kids were not with me. called daimler chrysler and it is my entire fault even when it seems to be a very common problem with the engine. the cost to repair the car is $5000. the car has only 68,000 miles on it and has been taken care with oil changes every 3,000 miles. don't have the $5,000 to fix the car and daimler chrysler says it is not there problem just mine for buying the car. *nm

My wife and i bought a 2001 dodge intrepid in 2001. the timing chain went out on us twice, the first time my wife was driving it and it was shaking and rattling. we took it to the dealership and they fixed it under warranty, without informing us of the problem with these 2.7 liter engines. the second time i was driving home from work on the freeway and the car lost compression, i pulled off the freeway and then couldn't start the car back up again. i had it towed to the dealership, they told me we needed to get a new engine which would cost us about $7,000 dollars, or they could try to fix the timing chain again for around $1,000 dollars, but there was no guarantee it would start. we called the dealership that we bought it from they told us they couldn't help us since it wasn't under warranty anymore. they said we could try to contact chrysler, but they probably would not help us. so now we have a five year old car that we can't use and can't afford to get fixed. we are a young family with a 2 year old and 3 month old, and would greatly appreciate some help in this matter. thank you for your time. *nm

Backing out of driveway my 01 dodge intrepid made an awful noise and quit after being towed to the dealership we are told the timing chain broke and we would have to have another engine....$6,000 - $8,000,just for the engine from chrysler while still making payments on the car i am currently in search of a replacement engine that doesn't cost more than the car is worth. *jb

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55mph the engine stalled out without warning. the engine would not restart. the vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. the mechanic suggested replacing the engine because there was excessive oil and sludge buildup, but no repairs were made.

My husband was coming home from work the other night and the engine failed on our 2001 intrepid. *nm

Apparently sludge build up in the in my 2001 dodge intrepid 2.7 v6 has lead to engine failure and needs replaced for the cost of $5000 which i do not have, however i do owe a car payment on the vehicle that i can not drive. *jb

Good morning, my name is [xxx] and i live in hamilton ohio. i am the owner of the 2001, dodge intrepid. on january 28, 2006 my wife was driving down a rural road when the engine of the car started to tick as she was slowing to go around a bend in the road. she looked at the gauges to find nothing real abnormal. when she got almost around the bend and tried to speed up a little the engine would not respond. the wheels ended up locking before finishing the curve, and she slid off the road. my wife had to get out of the car in a dangerous part of the road and walk quite a distance to get to a phone to call me. we have four children and one or all could have been with her at the time. if the engine would have stopped sooner she could have gotten really hurt. i had the car towed to a repair shop in fairfield, ohio, and they have since informed me that the whole engine needed to be replaced. after talking vehicle to the mechanic, he informed me of the problems of this engine. this engine did have sludge build up in it. when i would take it to get its regular oil change i would have to get the engine flushed to get the sludge out, costing more money. also having problems with heating system. but, i associated that with some sort of heating element not working. it would work fine moving down the road, but when i would stop at a sign or a light it would get cold. i had all the signs i have discovered from your web site after the engine went out. i would appreciate any help or information you could provide. *ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

Dodge intrepid 2001 with 2.7l engine. made knocking sounds, so we drove it to the dealer. dealer says engine has sludge and must be replaced due to improper maintenance. *jb

On jan. 27,2006, i , inell foye was driving my 2001 dodge intrepid intrepid when suddenly the engine failed. on jan. 30,2006 i had a mechanic look at the car. he determined that the timing chain broke. as a result, the pistons and valves were damaged. now i need a new engine in which i cant afford. by the way,its a 2.7l engine. i didn't know that many of these cars have these problems. i found out the hard way. hopefully i will be fully compensated. *jb

Dt*: the contact stated while parking there was a noise that came from the engine. the engine shut off and would not start back. the vehicle was towed to a local repair shop for inspection. the mechanic determined the timing chain had broken, the pistons and valves were damaged and the engine needed to be replaced.

I own a 2001 dodge intrepid se with the 2.7 liter engine and 88,000 miles on it. i took it to the shop yesterday because it suddenly started sounding like a diesel engine. the shop called me later that morning to inform me that engine had sludge in it, and the sound i was hearing was damage to the timing chain , and the engine will eventually blow. the only thing he can do is replace the engine at a cost of over $6200.00. at 42,000 miles i took car to the dealer for service because heater was blowing cold air when i came to a stop light but would blow hot air when i was driving. they said that i had a blown head gasket and replaced it because it was under the extended warranty. now this happens. i called chrysler and strongly voiced my displeasure about their product. they took my information and provided me with a case number and said that i can bring it to an authorized dodge dealership for them to inspect. if they determine that this was not due to neglect then they "might" participate in the cost of repair. i would need to provide them with all of my receipts for oil changes (which i only have the last one from 3 weeks ago). also, i would be responsible for the cost of them taking the engine apart ($700.00). only after they take it apart and have an inspector look at it will they determine if they will participate in any of the costs. i came across your web site from several forums where it appears that many individuals have experienced the same problem. my question had to do if i had any recourse in this matter? *ak

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 10mph, the engine lamp illuminated and stalled. the vehicle would not restart and was towed to a local independent repair shop. the mechanic determined the engine failed due to sludge build up and no repairs were made. new 3.5l engine will be replacing the 2.7 l engine by bill's body a paint in newbury, ohio. *ak

Engine failed while traveling on freeway with no warning. apparently same problem as other 2001 dodge intrepids - oil sludge causing engine failure due to poor design. currently with dealer in hopes of repair. still owe $4,400 dollars on worthless car as engine is gone. *jb

Dt*: the consumer stated while driving at 50 mph, the engine stalled and would not restart. the vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop for inspection. the local mechanic discovered the engine was filled with sludge and the pistons were welded together in the head gasket. the local mechanic stated there was no oil in the engine, although 1 quart of oil was added the week before the failure. the local mechanic recommended replacing the engine. *jb