engine problem
9.4
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$4,618.00
Average Mileage:
98,436 miles
Number of complaints:
29 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace blown engine with a new engine (17 reports)
- not sure (8 reports)
- put engine under waranty up to 100,000 miles (3 reports)
- replace the defective design(rod bearings) (1 reports)
Helpful Websites About 1998 Dodge Intrepid engine failure
2008Mar 27
Intrepid ES 2.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 71,000 miles
A Nice Sharp Candy Apple RED Low Miles Intrepid is a best bet to get your daughter through high school and some of college before you have to go deeply on maintenance and those $$$ can carry over to school, Right? W R O N G This is a losers' car. It dropped her in heavy traffic on Charlotte's busiest road and made my worst nightmare just luck of the draw from happening. NO MORE DODGE/CHRYSLER EVER. 71k is almost new with 2 new tires and $1200 in new tie rods,struts,oil& lube 1 week before the loud clank and oil light sidelined her out of nowhere.
2006Jul 21
(reported on)Intrepid
- 112,000 miles
Car was purchased in 5/06 from private dealer. Fluid and oil levels where inspected by owner (at Jiffy lube with documentation) which were clean and full. Oil change had been done less then 3,000 miles prior and was not due.
On the day of the incident the engine light turned on, there was a click coming from the engine. The car was pulled over, from off the freeway, and the engine seized.
THis car was just purchased and now it needs a new engine. There was no warning that this was going to happen. The oil level was just checked and it was fine, now there's a whole in the block.
2008Mar 01
Intrepid
- Automatic transmission
- 113,000 miles
I have a 1998 Dodge Intrepid that has been acting up. When driving all of a sudden the car shuts down and won't restart for twenty minutes or more. I have had it in and computer checked and they have told me their is nothing wrong with the car. Obviously it has a short or something somewhere that is sporadic. This is very annoying and if anyone can help me solve this it would be greatly appreciated.
2007Nov 01
Intrepid ES 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 128,000 miles
1998 Dodge Intrepid ES 3.2 engine. Intermittent engine failure, initially I could start in neural before car came to stop, more recently has started after 10-20 minutes, motor will turn over but will not start, no trouble code in computer, replaced fuel pump, disconnected cam sensor during one incidence, to see if this was the problem, still would not start (this also gave the predictable P0340 trouble code. Any recommendation would be appreciated. Any thoughts on how to duplicate this problem by simply disconnecting fuse or sensor to help identify the problem?
2007Dec 06
Intrepid 2.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 72,000 miles
If there are any mechanics out there that remember the problem with the Buick 231 that had a aluminum housing with a steel oil pressure regulator and the Chevy 231 had a 350 style oil pump which was a steel housing with a steel regulator and there was never a problem with the Chevy 231. The Buick 231 would spin rod bearings at 70,000 almost a guarantee. The Dodge Intrepid 2.7 runs the same as the Buick 231 a steel regulator in an aluminum housing. I've taken a couple apart, found no sludge, only scored regulators. Which would starve the engine of oil pressure and spin the bearings. This is my assumption after taking a couple apart to try and figure out what happened. That is what I came up with.
2007Dec 08
Intrepid SE 3.7L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 102,000 miles
i bought this car used with about 100000 miles for $2000. it's a beautiful car in and out for the price great condition! i've noticed that when i start if up to let if warm, it war extremely loud, but i didn't think it was a big deal since it's cold out and it needed to warm. tonight i was driving on a busy highway when i stopped at a red light and when it went silent, and stalled in the middle of a damn highway at a red light too. no lights came on to indicate a problem. i finally got it started after a few minutes of harassing drivers and got it to a parking lot when it stalled again right when i pulled in. started it again and parked it. checked the oil and it was bone dry. i bought and put plenty of oil in it let it run drove a little and it worked great. drove home whan it happened again. its now sitting in town until i have it towed tomorrow. nice car inside and out!!!! dangerously shotty American motor
2007Nov 10
(reported on)Intrepid SE 2.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 163,000 miles
OMG! I bought this beautiful car 4 years ago and would have never thought I would have had problems like this. My family was getting too big for our little 2002 Sunfire which I bought brand new, so we decided to trade it in for a 1998 Gold Dodge Intrepid. I loved it soooo much, and it still looked new inside and out. I drive 100 miles to and from work each day and never had any major problems. Last year we even paid it off early. Put 4 new tires on it 2 weeks before our problem. Went to the grocery store and I thought I smelled something funny, but thought it was coming from the nearby factories. On my way home, I looked down to see temperature light on, and immediately followed by oil and engine light coming on. I didn't have time to pull over when it just died and started smoking bad. Lots of estimates done on it and all the same conclusion, It needs a new engine. Well, looks like I have a new driveway ornament! I can't get it fixed because I have no money and no 401k because I used that to pay off the car early because of a job loss. Oh well I guess that's life. I just wish I new about this site earlier.
2007Nov 08
(reported on)Intrepid 2.7L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 96,000 miles
Last year I picked up a 98 intrepid with a 2.7L in excellent condition. I noticed that when I came to a stop after getting off the interstate the oil light kept coming on. I continued to check the oil level and never found a problem. I changed the type of oil filter I had been using and the light never came on again. The next month my 9 month pregnant wife was driving home in rush hour when the car just dies on her with no warning. She manages to get the car of the road and tried to restart the car. It made some funny screeching and grinding noises. When I got there to pick her up I noticed that there was some radiator fluid under the car that was coming from the front of the engine block. I concluded that the watter pump had gone out and took it to the shop.
At the shop I found out that the eighter the timing belt ot the watter pump had failed taking out the other witch caused the valves to bend wile trying to restart the car. I was quoted a minimum of $2500 and that was if nothing major was broken inside the engine.
Four months later and about $1500 later I almost have a 3.2L engine running in my car.
2007Oct 30
(reported on)Intrepid 2.7L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
In November of 2006 I bought my 1998 Dodge Intrepid at a local used car dealer, the car was in very good shape with only 69,000 miles on, the driving test did not revealed any problems so I bought it for 4,800 dlls. Exactly 3 months later and only 1,500 miles, the motor started making a "clanking" strong noise, I immediately stopped the engine to prevent more damage and towed it to the dealer, few days later they called me and I was told the engine was shot, that it needed new engine and as the car was bought "as is" with no warranties they did not assume any responsibilities.
I'm still paying for the car, The price for a rebuilt engine is aprox 2,500 plus shipping, plus labor for installing it, and etc, etc, total around 4,500 dlls. This happened 7 months ago, I keep doing my monthly payments, and I had to buy another car to go to work. At this point I'm not sure if I will fix it or definitely consider it "lost money" and send it to a junk yard.
In any case, people like us that make big sacrifices in our economies to buy a used car and end up with a situation like this of having to absolve the costs of a car that have hundreds of complaints of being defective, need more protection as consumers against this type of abuses. I'm glad we have this forum at least to be able to complain and be hear by others with the same situation, maybe something can be done in our favor.
2007Aug 15
(reported on)Intrepid 2.7L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 98,000 miles
the car was running fine. It just quit no warning signs or anything. called dodge no recalls. We know a lot of people with the same problem with their car (Intrepid) We feel no one wants to listen to us about this (dodge). can't afford to have repaired at this time. The car has been sitting for about 3 years now Will sell Cheep(ha ha).. Thanks for Listing,,,,,,,,,, Judy
2007Jun 25
(reported on)Intrepid 2.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 102,000 miles
Cracked block or blown head gasket is what they told me along with get rid of it as soon as you can. So i took a look in the paper just to see if anyone was trying to sell one and there was 2 with a $1000 dollar price tag. So i called them and they had the exact same problem but couldn't get anyone to offer over $300. So thanks for the $10,000 can opener i have sitting out front. Going Ford for life, Steven
2007Jun 25
(reported on)Intrepid 2.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 117,000 miles
I purchased this car when I returned from Iraq for my daughter. The car has been well maintained and cared for. Last Monday, it died and we found out that the engine is completely shot and that it will cost $3500 to replace the engine. Chrysler should be held accountable for all of the engines that have died. All are the 2.7L.
2007Aug 06
(reported on)Intrepid 2.7L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 160,000 miles
Soooo I bought this beautiful 98 Dodge intrepid with 145,000 miles for $1300 in January. My family is a bunch of gear heads so I kept the car well maintained. Did my oil changes and trans fluid changes and then I get this knock. My brother tells me I'll need rockers and lifters. So I called the dealership (dealership only parts) and they want about $700 to buy them all. Well i said hell with it i'll change them when I absolutely need to. So as time goes by i notice the knock gets louder and my car starts to smoke so I put real thick stuff in there to stop a leak and in fact it worked. Well while driving home on a saturday in July .... it sounded like something in the engine broke. I immediately call my brother and he comes and looks at my car... tears the engine apart and says I am screwed (UGHHHHH). So basically I have a beautiful car... but need an engine. I will not replace it after reading all the horror stories but I want to know about converting it to a different engine. Can anyone help? you can send me an email@ XxDemoguyxX@aol.com thanks
2007Jul 20
(reported on)Intrepid 2.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 81,000 miles
My sister owned this car and had the engine throw some rod bearings due to oil sludge. We replaced the bearings then the motor went to crap.
Anyway join this forum www.dodgeintrepid.net it is full of intrepid owners who love their cars. Now I know what your thinking, I hate that piece, but hold on there are ways to fix your problem, like an Engine conversion.
My sister gave me her car and now its running a 3.5 high output motor, thats the same motor they put in intrepid police cars. I payed someone from the forum to put it in and I recommend it to anyone who is stuck paying for their car. My sister paid for 4 years for a car she couldn't drive, she gave it to me and now has to see it as I drive it. Be realistic a multi million dollar company isn't going to pay for all these engines(not very easily, that is I have heard of a few folks getting a check from Chrysler to replace their motor but not many.)
2007Jul 13
(reported on)Intrepid ES 2.7L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 101,000 miles
It was Easter Sunday and I was at my mothers house. The drive is about 45 minutes from my place, mainly highway. The car was running great on the way there. I hand out for about 4 hours then was ready to leave. I hoped in my car to warm it up and as soon as i started it the knocking was loud. I thought because it was cold out, maybe that is why it was knocking. I checked the oil, it was fine because I just got a oil change before. So I warmed it up and started on my way. About 30 min. into the drive it got worse so I just tried to get home and the piece of sh*t just died. No engine came on or anything, it just stopped running. What kind of bullshit is that. I thought that I could just change the oil pump it sounds like that isn't the problem now that I've read other complaints on the same sh*tty car. That is all I got and I'm out. Later!!!!!!!
2006Sep 14
(reported on)Intrepid
- 120,000 miles
Unbelievable that a car with a major design flaw is allowed to be sold in such numbers with no responsibility placed on the manufacturer to fix the problem or offer a reasonable repair solution.
2007Mar 20
(reported on)Intrepid 2.7
- Automatic transmission
- 76,000 miles
I think it is ridiculous that you have to make a car payment as well as dump thousands of dollars into a vehicle and everyone wants to point the finger. Heaven forbid Chrysler own up to their faulty vehicles.
2005May 15
(reported on)Intrepid
- 80,000 miles
still paying on car when the engine fails and there seems to be a problem w/ the 2.7 engine, not the yr. lots of complaints and no one seems to want to take responsibility... anyone gotten help?
2007Feb 21
(reported on)Intrepid 2.7
- Automatic transmission
- 119,000 miles
I have a 1998 dodge intrepid with a 2.7 engine in it and I had to have the damn thing rebuilt it cost me $2,000.00 and I drove 19000 more miles and guess what here it is again the damn thing is messed up again. It smokes and has a horrible knocking sound and I can not drive the damn thing again. If Chrystler knew there was a problem with the 2.7 engines then why in the hell did they sell them and why did they not do a recall on them?
Sincerely A Very Pissed Off Customer Trina & Al Bieser
2006Apr 24
(reported on)Intrepid
- 103,000 miles
i bought the car with 25,000k on it in 2000 and purchased an extended warranty for up to 100,000k well shortly after getting it the alternator broke off and I had to pay my $50.00 deductible to have it fixed, then I took it in and complained that the back felt bouncy when I drove it they told me nothing was wrong on 3 occassions, then in 2003 I was moving to Cedar Rapids had the car checked out by Stew Hansens (where I bought it) and they informed me it needed a new serpentine belt and some other things, I complained of white smoke coming from the car and they assured me that it was fine and actually normal to have a bit of white smoke because if there is no black around the tail pipe area the car was fine, my father whom I took with me insisted that they were wrong and there was a problem but they said no we checked it and she is good to go, I said put that in writing for me, but of course they did not. Well I move and guess what Stew Hansens didn't notice when they told me it was safe to drive my sway bars were busted and something to do with my steering column was messed up, so I drove over 300 miles with my four kids on the interstate in a car I was assured was good to go that really we could have been killed in wasn't good to go at all!! I had it all fixed and paid my deductible but this time I was also charged the tax on the repair along with my $50 deductible and I said I have never had to pay that before but they wouldn't give me the car without paying, I moved backed to Des Moines area and continued to complain about the white smoke and still was told nothing was wrong but then my power windows went out and all the motors had to be replaced and in 1 day at Stews I had to return the car on 3 occassions due to 1st when I picked up the car I left, got on the interstate and went to roll down my windows and my front door pops open, went back and they said something was catching when I rolled down the window and they would fix it, left again and then my speedomotor did not work went back they said they blew a fuse, then I went back again had it fixed left then looked down and all my digital stuff was blank so I went back had it fixed, they did give me a $30 dollar gift card to go eat for my inconvienence even though my daughter almost fell out door at 60 miles an hour since it popped open (thank God for seatbelts) gee thanks! This is just a few of the problems I have had, but see my mom bought the car for me after my divorce since my credit was so bad and i still owe her 3 grand on a car that I was told by car x had cracked head gaskets or the motor was basically blown and that a new motor would cost 7500- 9000 to replace for my car and even at the junk yards there is a waiting list for engines for this style of car, so now I have a loan I still owe my car could go any day and no means of purchasing a car again, why isn't dodge stepping up to the plate and helping us out after all they made the car, I do no I will never buy a dodge again or recommend one to anyone i care about. Oh and to top it off the same day I was told about the outrageous price for a engine I also had to put in a new starter which cost me over 400.00 dollars because the parts are so expensive for this vehicle which would make one think expensive parts good quality, but not in this scenario, how unfortunate. I do have all my reciepts for oil changes and repairs along with all my complaints I reported to Stew hansen, or I should say the ones they wrote down because half the time I'd get there for my appt. and say no I complained of much more than that, and I'd have to start all over again with my complaint when I got there, so when I'd get my paperwork it would only have what they typed in when I called which I also asked to be corrected because I had a warranty and if something broke after my warranty I said I wanted to be able show that I did complain about it, but they don't care they get paid either way and that's how i feel about it!!
2006Dec 20
(reported on)Intrepid ES 2.7L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
2.7L V6 is a very bad design. A simple water pump can cost you a engine because they can leak coolant into the oil. All 2.7's run to hot causing oil sludge and loss of oil pressure. Chrysler made a mistake and wont live up to it. This is all fact
2006Mar 18
(reported on)Intrepid
- 41,000 miles
Engine failure due to oil sludge at 40,000, oil change every 3000. New motor put in 80,000 oil sludge again replaced timing chain and other things. Started using fully synthetic oil and changed oil every 1000 miles and it blew again 100,000 (60,000 on new motor)
2006Mar 15
(reported on)Intrepid
- 109,642 miles
I was driving home from work when my car starting making a clicking sound just in front of the passenger compartment. When I came to a stop the RPMs would fluctuate badly, to the point where I had to put it in N and rev the engine to keep it from dying. I got it home alright but when I had to leave again a few hours later it would turn over but not start. I had it towed to Pep Boys which cost me $60 and then they couldn't even tell me what was wrong with it. Well, they could tell me that it was toast. After paying another $60 to get it home I've found that the cylinder closest to the driver is knocking and shows signs of blow by. I changed the oil on schedule since I bought the car 1.5yrs ago and when I brought it in, I was three qts low. I check the oil once a week. . . so this was news to me. There is also a red "muddy" substance on the dip stick. Everywhere I ask is quoting at least $4000 to put another engine in it. My uncle is a mechanic and even he says that it's not worth messing with. I still owe $3800 on the car. At 22 I don't have a lot of money to be throwing around on a piece of crap engine. Thanks Chrysler. . . I now have a driveway ornament too.
2006Jan 07
(reported on)Intrepid
- 102,000 miles
oringnal engine locked up at 102k miles. replaced engine, after 50,000k heads cracked these were repaired another 15k miles and engine has locked up again, this is only one aspect of the problems I have had with this car Dodge has really built the lemon of all time.
2006Jan 05
(reported on)Intrepid
- 98,000 miles
have a 98 Dodge Intrepid ready to be repossessed. I bought the car in 2001 with 53000 miles on it. 2 years later the engine blew with no warning as I was getting off I-95. It cost me $4.200 to replace the engine. A year later the 2nd engine blew and again with no warning as I was driving on I 95. I replaced the engine again at $2400 because I still owed money on my loan. The second engine lasted about another year and now overheats after driving it for a half hour. I took it to the mechanic and he said that the heads are bad and the engine is cracked. I will not put a 3rd engine in this car. I still owe $5000 on my loan and cant afford to pay for it any more since I went and bought a 2001 Honda that I need to get to and from work.
2004Dec 28
(reported on)Intrepid
- 102,000 miles
While traveling to Florida on vacation, our Intrepid engine failed. After a costly tow bill and ruined trip we now have a driveway ornament. If you own a vehicle with 2.7L engine, sell it fast. Do a quick search on the web and you will find out I am not the only one with a "driveway ornament"
2003Jun 23
(reported on)Intrepid
- 52,000 miles
I purchased a used 1998 Dodge Interpid 2.7L from Freehold Dodge, Freehold, NJ in May of 2001. At the time of purchase the car had 46k miles and the dealer informed me it had a full maintenance record. In December of 2001 and with only 10000 more miles on the car, the engine failed. I had to have a completely new short engine that cost me over $5k. I took the car back to the dealer in October of 2002 with a complaint regarding visible smoke from the exhaust. The dealer told me there was no problem and that it would pass state inspection. In June of 2003 I took the car to state inspection and failed because of visible smoke. I returned the car to the dealer reporting this problem, and after a week of dismantling they are telling me I need new cylinder heads because oil is getting in through the exhaust valves (another $3k). This car has been fuully maintained with regular oil changes and extensive use of synthetic oil. How can a modern engine wear out like this in such a short time? There must be a fundamantal defect with the engine, or the dealer has made a major error when the engine was rebuilt after failing in 2001. There was no problem with smoke before the dealer had worked on the engine.
2003Mar 18
(reported on)Intrepid LE
- 69,000 miles
This engine has to be replaced due to either a cracked block or defective head gasket. I would like to know how many of these 2.7 liter 24 valve engines are out there that have had similar problems under 100,000 miles and were regularly taken in for oil changes etc.
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2008Jun 06
Intrepid ES 3.2L V6
The 1998 Dodge Intrepid ES has been a great car for my wife and I to drive. I have regular preventive maintenance and oil changes.Our mechanic replaced the water pump, timing chain and gear, both electric radiator fans, and a front end sway bar of some sort in the past 3years. My problem has stumped my mechanic. He cannot find the problem. Here is whats going on. If you drive the car at least 30 miles before stopping the car will not start again until it cools down.( about 1hour). the temp. gauge does not read hot however the engine will not start until is has cooled. Our mechanic said all the censors seem to be all good (they checked out). Also when driving some times the engine will make a high pitched whistle that comes and goes and stops when the engine is turned off. Please respond with any suggestions.
Tim M.
Columbus, Ohio, USA
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