19th May 2004, 17:47

I bought a 2000 Dodge Intrepid, with a 2.7L v6 engine in September of 2000. I have always stayed within the recommended oil changes and expected to get 150,000 miles or more out of my engine. My "Powertrain Plus" warranty was to cover me for 5 years or 100,000 miles - whichever came first.

This past weekend, 5/16/04, my engine failed. To be specific, I was driving down the highway and planned to get off at an exit. Once I started slowing down, the timing on the engine went all over the place and the power of the engine was cut roughly 70% or more. I thought that I had an engine timing problem, but once a local dealer looked at it, he said that my entire engine needed to be replaced.

At first, he said that it should be covered, and that I would most likely only be responsible for my $100 deductible. But, he must have talked to someone from Chrysler, because an hour later he said something totally different. He said that it might have been caused by SLUDGE in the engine - in which case it must be MY FAULT for not changing the oil every 3,000 miles. The SLUDGE would be the proof that Chrysler would need that I had not maintained the engine properly, and thus deny my claim.

But, if you look in the Owner's Manual, Chrysler recommends two different oil change intervals: (1) Every 3,000 miles if you're in subzero climates, dusty weather, or often make trips of less than 7,500 miles. (2) Every 7,500 miles for all others.

The dealer went on to say that the block alone on that car costs $6,000. And that I could easily go over $8,000 to repair the entire engine. And if that is more than the car is worth, then my claim might be denied. DENIED!!

Needless to say, I am searching for any and all information that I can find on any relevant class action lawsuits against this company on behalf of owners of these faulty 2.7L engines, because it will help my case. I will keep fighting until they repair my engine as they agreed in the warranty.

Please forward relevant info to me at roberts1008@yahoo.com.

Thanks.

Jeff Roberts.

12th Jul 2004, 17:27

I've worked at a Dodge dealer for the last three years and have seen several 2.7 running quietly with over 90,000 miles on them. The engines I've seen with problems the customers went over 5000 mile between oil changes regularly. And several of those had ignored water pump failures which allowed the oil to heat up beyond the normal operating temperature causing it to break down. Many also failed due to the fact that they still had the original oil filter still installed at over 15,000 miles!

Additionally, I have seen many engine failures in several different makes between the 60-80,000 mile range owned by people who say they regularly changed their oil every 4-6,000 miles. Engines are machines, just like your refrigerator or TV. Machines break. That is why I, and every other mechanic in the world have jobs.

I will say that the Chrysler 2.7 does not take neglect very well at all. And even with regular 3,000 mile services and very meticulous checks by its mechanic-owner I did see one 2.7 fail with a broken piston at around 30,000 miles. That is a defect in material and workmanship. Failures above 60,000 miles are not. There are just too many variables involved, especially if you are the second owner.

Some of the claims I read in this list are legitimate.

If my car's engine failed before 50,000 miles I would be angry too. And just like all of you I don't have oil change records either since I do them myself. I would recommend to you though, take your new car to the same dealership for every oil change. Not to make the dealer happy, but so that then THEY will have all your oil change records and just maybe they will be willing to go to bat for you with the manufacturer. If you bought the car there and you do all your maintenance there they do try to help you if you have a just out of warranty power-train concern.

9th Sep 2004, 18:25

I just replaced my 2.7 engine for $3,300. 2000 DODGE INTREPID.

YES I changed the oil!NO it wasnt covered, warranty ran out.

RED oil light came on -pulled off road -engine connecting rods broken.

Still have one more payment to call it mine!!!

From reading other comments about this engine, I would like to sign up also for a class action suit.subway1112003@yahoo.com.

13th Sep 2004, 11:10

Well, looks like we're in the same boat as everyone else with our 2000 Intrepid blowing it's engine caused by failure of our timing chain. 102,000km (64,000mi).

IF anyone has had any success in recourse, or there actually is some sort of class action going on, we'd appreciate advice.

Sergenorma@yahoo.ca.

Thanks.

13th Sep 2004, 19:06

I bought my Dodge with 64k miles on it, just after 3 short months at about 71k miles, Oil changed on time, my timing chain went and then my valves visited my piston and now I'm 10G deep on a car that will cost 5G more to fix, I would like information on this class action law suit, since when the engine did blow it just about killed me and my fiancee, please send the law suit info to dawgjay@hotmail.com, Thank you very much, good luck to all of us in the situation!!!

14th Sep 2004, 09:44

I am in the same boat... 2000 Intrepid, motor gone. Please add me to the Lawsuit. begglest@ak.net.

16th Sep 2004, 06:29

Hi,

All of you that are having problems with your Dodge Intrepids, may have some help on the way.

Channel 7 in Chicago, will be airing the Dodge and Chrysler 2.7L engine problems tonight At 10: PM And I'm sure that Chrysler will have to take action soon or loose all of the car sales for the rest of this year.

I have a 1999 Dodge Intrepid, and It runs great, but I found out early that the engine is too small for the car, and I switched to Synthetic Mobile 1 10 w 30 motor oil, and that solved my problems.

The engine runs cooler, and the oil pressure stays up. Just think about it, 5w 30 motor oil is too thin for any car on the road when the engine gets hot, and the intrepid engine runs very hot because the little engine is trying to pull an almost full size car. That's why the chrysler 3.2L engine did not have as much trouble.

The 3.2L engine is larger, has more power, and therefore runs cooler.

So if you have a intrepid and It's still running, have the engine flushed to release the current amount of sludge, and switch to Mobile 1 10 w 30 synthetic motor oil. And buy a good oil filter, not the 99 cents oil filter, and your car will run for a lot longer.

The most common failure is due to low oil pressure, and 5 w 30 oil will fail in these cars because the little engine is working too hard, and regular oil will sludge up sooner because of it's flash point vs synthetic motor oil flash points.

I'm a car mechanic for over twenty five years, and I know what I'm talking about.

Chrysler's mistake was not the 2.7L engine, it was installing it into such a large car.

The 2.7L engine should be in a dodge neon and nothing larger.

But it will give you years of service, but you will have to redesign your thoughts on oil and the cost of the best oil for your car.

The cars cost over 20,000 new, so why get a 16.95 oil change to protect the engine?

A mobile 1 synthetic oil change will cost you about 50.00 but (32.00 if you change it yourself), the oil is the best on the market for the dodge intrepid problems.

5 w 30 motor oil is too lite for the pressure of the 2.7L engine, so use 10 w 30 mobile 1 synthetic oil, and your engine will run almost forever.

I think that Chrysler will be replacing most of these engines after the TV report tonight.