Faults:

The car needed a new wheel bearing at 55k miles. The rear door lock makes an extremely annoying squeaking noise when you lock/unlock the doors. The material on the steering wheel is currently rubbing off. The car was idling very poorly at first when it was started. The dealer says it needs new spark plugs. The dealer also informed us at this time that the gas line is "all gunked up". They gave us a quote for $292 to fix it.

General Comments:

This is my second intrepid and I won't own any more of them. As soon as I find a suitable replacement it's gone. Everything about this car is cheap. Take for example the most recent recall. The reclining bolts on the seats were faulty. They can't even make quality bolts! After owning two intrepids I'm convinced Chrysler builds the least reliable cars on the road. The people at the dealer told us that we should not buy any more Chrysler's with the 2.7L engine. Apparently they build up sludge and blow up. You know there's a problem when the dealer tells you not to buy a particular car. Also, the dealer informed us that they see a lot of transmission failures with intrepids. I will never own another Chrysler and I regret buying this one. Right now we own more on the car than it is worth. These cars do not hold their value. Just look through the classifieds, there are all kinds of one year old intrepids listed for half of their new value. I've owned two intrepids and my advice is to never ever buy a Chrysler unless it is made totally from Mercedes or Mitsubishi components. Just browse through the other reviews on this site there are quite a few complaints about the 2.7L engines. Now browse through Toyota, Honda, and Subaru reviews. Then you will know what to buy.

Faults:

Left rear shock snapped at 22,000 miles.

Timing chain tensioner replaced at 77,000 miles.

Motor flushed due to extensive oil sludge at 77,000 miles.

New timing chain tensioner not working properly resulting in extensive damage to the engine at 79,000 miles.

Timing chain guides replaced at 79,000 miles.

Timing chain replaced at 79,000 miles.

Timing chain tensioner re-replaced at 79,000 miles.

Oil pump replaced at 79,000 miles.

General Comments:

The 2000 Dodge Intrepid with the 2.7 motor seems to have a serious problem with the timing chain tensioner or so it is thought.

This problem has cost me over $2,500 to date and I am not confidant that the problem is fixed.

I have questioned the service department at the local dealership about this, but they deny any problems. Other mechanics have told me that the bad tensioner would or could indicate a bad oil pump. The warning light I have been told by both the dealership and other mechanics will not come on unless the oil pressure is below three pounds of pressure.

When I first took my Intrepid to the service department I was told that the tensioner was bad. It was replaced for over $900.00 and I was sent on my way. One week later I took the car back, but was told all was ok. Two weeks later the tensioner had completely failed and allowed the timing chain to slap about inside the engine. The noise was loud and grinding almost at times sounding like a motorcycle. The loose chain had been rubbing the inside of the timing chain cover and had broken the timing chain guide sending bits of metal into the oil pan.

I am stuck with the bill to this point, but I am aware that this problem is abundant in many of these 2000 Intrepids. If there is a class action lawsuit I would love to get on board.

I love my Intrepid and it has been a great car. Very roomy, comfortable with plenty of power to this point.

However if there is a problem with the 2.7 in these cars (and there is) I believe the Chrysler Corporation should acknowledge it and fix it.

I would say stay away from the 2000 Intrepid.