1st Dec 2005, 22:01

Bought a 95 Intrepid ES 3.5L 24 Valve 108K miles about a month ago and thought I was getting a great deal. Even after putting in $975 to get new struts in back and new tie rods up front, I was still below blue book. Well now the whole front end steering system feels like it's about to fall apart. After reading all the horror stories on-line, I'm seriously considering cutting my losses right now. The complaints about the Gen 3 seat-belts and steering system failures are most worrisome in what I was hoping could be a good family care for the next few years. I guess the only consolation is that I am not alone in my situation, but it is truly scary the magnitude of serious and life-threatening problems people have had with these vehicles.

28th Jan 2006, 17:31

I never thought I would be in a Q&A forum describing my experiences with a car I feel does have major problems. I bought my used '99 Dodge Intrepid (2.7L) in November, 2004, and had very little problems as described from many car owners, until lately the car hasn't started crisply/fresh. After starting, the engine runs fine and drives really well on roads and freeways, this just after replacing oil pan with oil psi sensor, attached hoses, serpentine belt, and full engine check.

I'm bringing the car back into mechanic to see if the problem with starting the engine is either with starter, solenoid, or as one writer has mentioned the problem is in the ignition switch. So far total miles driven is 112,000. Good luck with all the other owners with their Intrepid and count me in with the class action lawsuit. I can be reached at sauvepete@yahoo.com

Peter.

20th May 2006, 10:22

I bought my intrepid in 2002 with about 55k and the first problem was the thermostat about 3 months after I got it. Next was the pulling to the right, but after 2 alignments that was fixed. After that struts, bearings and bushings had to be replaced and like others my oil light comes on when I brake sometimes. Now my oil plug is stripped and might need to replace the gasket too!

16th Jul 2006, 20:49

I also own a 1998 Intrepid: Ugh.

The oil light blinks when you hit the brake, the interior lights blink at any given moment, the paint is chipping off around front windshield. I have replaced the radiator, starter, cooling fan system x2 June of 05 and again in September of 05, (today found out that the cooling fan isn't working again, so here comes x3, that of course is how I found this site, researching the cooling system. I love this car, but now everything seems to be falling apart all at once. In the last two months it has been towed home twice and at the mechanics three times. When does it end?

18th Jul 2006, 18:24

HI

I just bought my dodge intrepid 3 week ago. All was good out side of the trunk struts bad (fixed for 50.00) and the door locks not working and some minor body damage. I was driving to see grandma when the car died. I was in a curve and had to cost thru it with out any power steering. After spending about 1 hour waiting for a tow truck in the 100 + degrees temp we had here in Dallas. Monday morning the repair shop open up. They said that the main timing chain tensioner pulley broke. And with out them looking at the valves, they assumed that at least one if not more were bent. The motor is shot I could pay 4000.00 in labor for them to rebuild it and at least 1000.00 in parts. Or go with a used motor that has 60,000 miles on it for 4000.00 installed.

Well I live on Disability income and money like that is just not around for me.

Yes this was my first and will be my last dodge.

31st Jul 2006, 22:09

Add me to the constantly growing list of Dodge Intrepid owners.

I too, own the infamous 2.7 liter V-6 in a 1999 Intrepid. I am not the average or status quo owner, obviously since my Intrepid has 160k miles on it now. But I must say, after owning a 1995 Intrepid and then the 1999, Chrysler has some problems with this car (drive-train) that need to be addressed.

I love this body style and the roominess of the car, but it seems that Dodge "cuts corners" on a lot of the materials or components used in the construction of this car.

I too have replaced the radiator cooling fans after smelling the "burnt wire" smell at a cost of $500.

The air conditioner compressor will not work when the cooling fan doesn't work, by the way.

I had the driver's side window repaired after it fell out of the track at a cost of $500.

I should mention too that I had the transmission in the 1995 Intrepid rebuilt twice. Both times out of warranty at a cost of $1500 a pop.

And after being told that I couldn't park in the parking garage at work due to the oil leak (more specifically 'pour'), I recently replaced the oil pan gaskets and real main seal. I did both of these repairs myself at a severe cost to my 50 year old body.

I now have no air conditioning which is apparently due to a leak in the evaporator, so I have to tear the dash out.

I replaced the fuel pump (did it myself) at a cost of $500 just for the parts.

The transmission output speed sensor went out the first day and it wouldn't change from second gear, so I had to drive it 42 miles to the dealer to be fixed (they caught the tab for that one, but the thing only cost $18).

Needless to say, I am patching this car together to get maybe six more months out of it and I get my oldest son established in college. Then it will be pushed, dragged or airlifted to the nearest Toyota lot and disposed of. Needless to say, they won't give me too much for it since they know about the "infamous 2.7".

I tried to trade it about 5 months ago and they said they would allow me $500 for trade. It wouldn't be worth fixing the fan or window again!! The mechanics at the Dodge dealership know this engine has a problem with sludging. I will say that after dropping the oil pan, the sludge problem is mainly in the top of the engine. So far, I haven't had any sign of failure, but you never know!!!

Add me also to the list of those who can honestly say "no more Mopar products". I personally wouldn't own a Hemi!!!