1999 Dodge Intrepid 2.7 from North America

Summary:

I'm buying a Toyota/ Honda next, I can't afford another "Made in USA"

Faults:

Window motors for passenger side doors replaced at 55,000 miles.

Door lock actuators soon after.

Fuel pump,replaced at 70,000 after complaints of stalling.

Radiator fans (both) failed at 72,000 miles.

About the same time tie-rod bushings failed, I'm getting to know my Chrysler shop tech on a first name basis.

Total engine failure at 76,350 miles. Luckily covered by extended warranty.

Waiting for the transmission to go next.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th July, 2005

27th Jul 2005, 12:19

Did you ever look into the problems yourself or just automatically run back to the dealer. Sometimes dealers tell you more than what it is to charge you more. I know plently of people with Intrepids and none of them had the problems you had.

28th Aug 2005, 20:59

I feel for you. I have a 99 Intrepid ES and I have 115,000 miles on it. In the last 2 months I have had everything you had happened to mine and more. I had the Evaporator and Heating Element Leak and go and that cost me $1300. Then after they supposedly fix my car they told me after they said the car is fixed, by the way your two fans are shot by the radiator, one does not work and one runs at slow speed. Plus my starter went, where I could not start the car right away. After I got all that fixed for a total of $2,300, the dealership did something wrong to my dash board when they replaced the Air Conditioner Evaporator. The speaker by the windshield vibrated terribly since last week and just tonight after filling my tank the gas gage would go from full to empty and then full again. And to boot, the empty gas can light comes on with that dinging noise. My wife and I are scared for this car we have 18 more payment for.

1999 Dodge Intrepid 2.7 from North America

Summary:

A beautiful reliable car

Faults:

Nothing so far...

General Comments:

After having an accident with a 2002 Neon (do not buy this car) I had to find a new car and quick. Got the Intrepid with 72K miles on it for $4900. It was a local trade in with only one owner, so it was a pretty good deal to me. I replaced the tires, and got the oil changed. No problems so far with the car. Only thing I've noticed is the back right passenger window motor going. Not a big deal because I don't have a lot of people in my car anyways. The inside is very roomy, outside is beautifully designed, and the engine runs fine. Not supercharged, but I don't really feel the need to beat on it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st June, 2005

25th Sep 2005, 18:11

Someone will tell you that you just made a huge mistake by buying a 2.7L Intrepid, but I disagree. This engine is known to have the oil turn into sludge near the timing belt, which causes the engine to fail at a low mileage.

However, this is not an issue if you do one thing: use full synthetic oil. This will not sludge up like regular oil will and is well worth the money for this car. Also, get it changed a lot more often than the manual tells you to.

I have a 1999 2.7L Intrepid with over 160,000 on the odometer, and it has not fallen victim to the oil sludge engine failure. We changed the oil every 3,000 miles for the life of the car, but weren't using synthetic until 145,000 miles. As long as you use synthetic oil and change it every 3,000 miles, you should have years of a pretty good and inexpensive family sedan.

12th Jan 2006, 10:30

Thanks for the input, will do. I am with this car at 90,000 miles... only thing still wrong is the rear windows. Ahh I hope I don't jinx myself, lol. Will keep an update.