Anyone have any good comments about a Dodge Intrepid? I just bought one and all I see are horror stories!?

Question

I just bought a 2004 Dodge Intrepid with 56,000 miles. After reading info online, I see the 2.7 have a problem with the coolant leaking from the water pump into the engine and therefore blowing the engine. Also, they say there is a potentially deadly steering issue in which people have experienced the steering going out without warning and nearly being killed. So, does anyone have anything good to say about these cars? Perhaps some good experiences? Did I just make a very stupid purchase?

Answer 1

OK...here we go. The 2.7 is basically a timebomb IF you don't maintain it properly. (But then again, so is every engine). If you hear a rattling noise from the front of your motor, don't just turn up the radio. GET IT LOOKED AT !!
This noise would be slack in the timing chains, which, if they break, will cause untold havoc in your motor. The cam & crank shafts will lose time, & the pistons will hit the valves, bending them. If your engine runs quiet, you're ok, just keep the oil changed. Every 5000 miles is good. I think they redesigned the tensioners in either '00 or '01, so the later engines are much better.
My '98 has 160,000 trouble-free miles on it. One of the best driving most comfortable cars I've ever had, & plenty of get up & go. I've heard nothing about the steering issues.

Answer 2

I have absolutely no idea where you are hearing these things about coolant leaking and deadly steering, but I can give you a little factual info. I currently own a 2000 Dodge Intrepid SE with the 2.7L V6 and approximately 117,000 miles and get from 24 mpg city to 30 mpg highway. If you had purchased an Intrepid with a 2.7 built before 2001, I would have warned you about engine sludge build up, but that problem was fixed after 2002. (And still, my 2.7 has no problem with sludge) You will still want to make sure that you get synthetic oil put in when you change your oil. It doesn't sludge up like regular oil. And other than that, just make sure you take care of it like you would any car, it's not invincible. And last but not least, get some real facts about the LH series from DCX at DodgeIntrepid.Net:
http://www.dodgeintrepid.net/
They have a wealth of info there, and everyone is always willing to help.

Answer 3

I wondered about the same things when I bought a 2003 Intrepid two years ago. The car now has 119,000 miles. It gets 30 mpg on the highway. The only work I have done on it is new brakes and getting the rotors turned. It could still have a catastrophic failure at any time, I suppose, but for now I see no reason why it couldn't run another 100,000 miles. The problems you speak of occur almost entirely on 1998-2001 models. They are actually a pretty good car after that, but by then, their reputation was already ruined. Resale value on these cars is very bad, so there are some good bargains out there for someone who wants a nice car on low budget. My 2003 was only $6500 for a 2 year old car at the time. I really wanted an import, but to get down in that price range, the cars are usually 8-10 years old. This car was just too cheap not to take a chance on it. So far, I haven't been disappointed.

Answer 4

All cars have horror stories, they are machines - and all machines will eventually break. How one is maintained can have a positive effect, but even a well maintained machine can break down.

Any info you read about 'coolant leaking from the water pump into the engine and blowing the engine' is total crap. Dodge (chrysler) engines do have an interesting cooling system to say the least. You have to know how to vent it properly, otherwise it will blow coolant all over the engine compartment. It is easy once you do it once - just top off the radiator and the overflow and warm up the car by driving it around the block a few times. Once it is good and warm, open up the bleed screw at the top of the thermostat housing and steam will blow out of it - as soon as the steam stops and a steady stream of coolant comes out then close the valve and don't open your radiator cap again unless you have to, otherwise you will have to bleed it all over again. Keep an eye on your overflow - and if it gets low, then top it off and you shouldn't have any more problems. Most people claiming that their engines 'blew up' probably ran them without any coolant in them because they didn't know how to bleed them like I just described.

The 'steering going out' is usually crap too - almost every single claim of 'steering failure' I have ever heard has involved some moron driving 90 mph over a bump or sliding off the road on a sharp curve and then swearing up and down that 'the steering failed', even though you can reach into the wrecked car and turn the wheel and watch everything working correctly. Power steering can fail in any vehicle, but the steering still works - it just gets much harder to turn the wheel. Again, properly maintaining the car can avoid some failures of this kind.

If you aren't comfortable working on your own car, then you should try to find a reliable mechanic, ask friends or family if they recommend anyone that works on chrysler products.

As long as you didn't spend too much money, then you didn't do anything stupid - Intrepids are decent cars, they look nice, and are pretty quick (I ditched a cop in a rented Intrepid once). They don't get the best mileage because of their size and weight, but I wouldn't mind having one myself.

Answer 5

Ya maybe not the best purchase for the main vehicle, but hey it is used so maybe the thing will be a good car for you.

I would suggest running a synthetic oil in it as these engines fail due to sludge buildup, this is more than usually sen in other motors.
Check and change the tranny and coolant so that you know they are current look at replacing brakes soon if they haven't already.. The steering issue is rare and can happen to any vehicle.

A synthetic will run it cleaner and not be prone to create the carbons associated with dinosaur oil....

These cars aren't too expensive to maintain and I guess that is the key here keep it maintained and on top of repairs and you'll be fine

Answer 6

I have plenty of good things to say about my 1998 Dodge Intrepid SE. I bought it 4 years ago with 45k on it and it is the most fun car I have ever owned. I have a 3.2 with 225hp and have never had any engine problems at all. I mean zero. I get between 28 and 32 mpg on the highway and 24 or 25 here in the heart of Manhattan. I too have read all the horror stories you are referring to. Not one has come to pass with my baby. I have to tell you though, I do a lot of preventative maintainence on it and it has really paid off. The only money I have put into it is things that wear out. Take care of it and it will take care of itself. Have fun ... it is a coooool car.
Gervoi

Answer 7

Unfortunately, I can't help you. I bought a brand new Intrepid and I had it 3 months before the engine went. Got it back and about 6 weeks later the engine went again. I thought "Hmmm, bad luck, we'll try this again" The new engine died about 2 months later stranding my wife, myself, our 1 1/2 year old and our newborn in the middle of the desert in the middle of the night.

The car was in the shop for over 3 months during the 2 years I had it. I finally turned it in to a dealer and have been having legal issues with Chrysler Financial ever since.

The more accurate name for this car is "Decrepit" and the more accurate name for Chrysler is "The Sopranos"


I hope you have good luck with it, some say it was the greatest car they have ever had.

Answer 8

I have a 2002 with the 2.7 engine and the only really trouble I have had is I had to replace the tranny. Other than that I have no bad things to say about my car. I like it very much . very fast and sexy-looking vehicle.

Answer 9

Horror stories is all you see on any Dodge.

Answer 10

makes good storage space in back yard.Has electrical probs too Sell it!!!!!!!!!!