2001 Dodge Intrepid complaints

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 DODGE INTREPID DOWN A GRAVEL ROAD THE ENGINE GAVE OUT AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. AM JUST HAPPY THAT I WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST DO TO THE GRAVEL AND MY TWO YOUNG KIDS WERE NOT WITH ME. CALLED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND IT IS MY ENTIRE FAULT EVEN WHEN IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THE COST TO REPAIR THE CAR IS $5000. THE CAR HAS ONLY 68,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE WITH OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES. DON'T HAVE THE $5,000 TO FIX THE CAR AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER SAYS IT IS NOT THERE PROBLEM JUST MINE FOR BUYING THE CAR. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 10MPH, THE ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. NEW 3.5L ENGINE WILL BE REPLACING THE 2.7 L ENGINE BY BILL'S BODY A PAINT IN NEWBURY, OHIO. *AK

CAR STALLED ON HWY AND WOULD NOT START HAD TO BE TOWED AND WAS TOLD MOTOR WAS BLOWN UP. *JB

APPARENTLY SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE IN MY 2001 DODGE INTREPID 2.7 V6 HAS LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE AND NEEDS REPLACED FOR THE COST OF $5000 WHICH I DO NOT HAVE, HOWEVER I DO OWE A CAR PAYMENT ON THE VEHICLE THAT I CAN NOT DRIVE. *JB

MY HUSBAND WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK THE OTHER NIGHT AND THE ENGINE FAILED ON OUR 2001 INTREPID. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH THE ENGINE STALLED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED REPLACING THE ENGINE BECAUSE THERE WAS EXCESSIVE OIL AND SLUDGE BUILDUP, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 6 0MPH THE VEHICLE TEMPORALLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WERE THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED. THE INTERMITTENT STALLING CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THERE WAS SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK WHICH HAD CONTAMINATED THE OIL. UPDATED 04/17/06. *JB

MY DODGE INTREPID ENGINE WAS BLOW UP AND COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *NM

DODGE INTREPID 2001 WITH 2.7L ENGINE. MADE KNOCKING SOUNDS, SO WE DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. DEALER SAYS ENGINE HAS SLUDGE AND MUST BE REPLACED DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING THERE WAS A NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN, THE PISTONS AND VALVES WERE DAMAGED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

ON JAN. 27,2006, I , INELL FOYE WAS DRIVING MY 2001 DODGE INTREPID INTREPID WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE FAILED. ON JAN. 30,2006 I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR. HE DETERMINED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. AS A RESULT, THE PISTONS AND VALVES WERE DAMAGED. NOW I NEED A NEW ENGINE IN WHICH I CANT AFFORD. BY THE WAY,ITS A 2.7L ENGINE. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT MANY OF THESE CARS HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. I FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY. HOPEFULLY I WILL BE FULLY COMPENSATED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT OVERNIGHT AND STARTED THE NEXT MORNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE OIL, AND TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I LIVE IN HAMILTON OHIO. I AM THE OWNER OF THE 2001, DODGE INTREPID. ON JANUARY 28, 2006 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN A RURAL ROAD WHEN THE ENGINE OF THE CAR STARTED TO TICK AS SHE WAS SLOWING TO GO AROUND A BEND IN THE ROAD. SHE LOOKED AT THE GAUGES TO FIND NOTHING REAL ABNORMAL. WHEN SHE GOT ALMOST AROUND THE BEND AND TRIED TO SPEED UP A LITTLE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE WHEELS ENDED UP LOCKING BEFORE FINISHING THE CURVE, AND SHE SLID OFF THE ROAD. MY WIFE HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IN A DANGEROUS PART OF THE ROAD AND WALK QUITE A DISTANCE TO GET TO A PHONE TO CALL ME. WE HAVE FOUR CHILDREN AND ONE OR ALL COULD HAVE BEEN WITH HER AT THE TIME. IF THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE STOPPED SOONER SHE COULD HAVE GOTTEN REALLY HURT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP IN FAIRFIELD, OHIO, AND THEY HAVE SINCE INFORMED ME THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER TALKING VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC, HE INFORMED ME OF THE PROBLEMS OF THIS ENGINE. THIS ENGINE DID HAVE SLUDGE BUILD UP IN IT. WHEN I WOULD TAKE IT TO GET ITS REGULAR OIL CHANGE I WOULD HAVE TO GET THE ENGINE FLUSHED TO GET THE SLUDGE OUT, COSTING MORE MONEY. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HEATING SYSTEM. BUT, I ASSOCIATED THAT WITH SOME SORT OF HEATING ELEMENT NOT WORKING. IT WOULD WORK FINE MOVING DOWN THE ROAD, BUT WHEN I WOULD STOP AT A SIGN OR A LIGHT IT WOULD GET COLD. I HAD ALL THE SIGNS I HAVE DISCOVERED FROM YOUR WEB SITE AFTER THE ENGINE WENT OUT. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP OR INFORMAT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE NOISES COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSTICS TEST WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR ONE YEAR BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED; THE VEHICLE IS NOW PARKED WITHOUT REPAIRS BEING MADE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON A PAVED ROAD THE CHECK OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE TEMPERATURE INCREASED. UPON INSPECTION THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE OIL PRESSURE HAD DROPPED. THE OIL PUMP WAS REPLACED AT A LATER DATE. AFTER SIX MONTHS THE CHECK OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. UPDATED 3/3/2006 - *NM

I OWN A 2001 DODGE INTREPID SE WITH THE 2.7 LITER ENGINE AND 88,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP YESTERDAY BECAUSE IT SUDDENLY STARTED SOUNDING LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE. THE SHOP CALLED ME LATER THAT MORNING TO INFORM ME THAT ENGINE HAD SLUDGE IN IT, AND THE SOUND I WAS HEARING WAS DAMAGE TO THE TIMING CHAIN , AND THE ENGINE WILL EVENTUALLY BLOW. THE ONLY THING HE CAN DO IS REPLACE THE ENGINE AT A COST OF OVER $6200.00. AT 42,000 MILES I TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE BECAUSE HEATER WAS BLOWING COLD AIR WHEN I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT BUT WOULD BLOW HOT AIR WHEN I WAS DRIVING. THEY SAID THAT I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND REPLACED IT BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. NOW THIS HAPPENS. I CALLED CHRYSLER AND STRONGLY VOICED MY DISPLEASURE ABOUT THEIR PRODUCT. THEY TOOK MY INFORMATION AND PROVIDED ME WITH A CASE NUMBER AND SAID THAT I CAN BRING IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO INSPECT. IF THEY DETERMINE THAT THIS WAS NOT DUE TO NEGLECT THEN THEY "MIGHT" PARTICIPATE IN THE COST OF REPAIR. I WOULD NEED TO PROVIDE THEM WITH ALL OF MY RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES (WHICH I ONLY HAVE THE LAST ONE FROM 3 WEEKS AGO). ALSO, I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THEM TAKING THE ENGINE APART ($700.00). ONLY AFTER THEY TAKE IT APART AND HAVE AN INSPECTOR LOOK AT IT WILL THEY DETERMINE IF THEY WILL PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF THE COSTS. I CAME ACROSS YOUR WEB SITE FROM SEVERAL FORUMS WHERE IT APPEARS THAT MANY INDIVIDUALS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. MY QUESTION HAD T

ENGINE FAILED WHILE TRAVELING ON FREEWAY WITH NO WARNING. APPARENTLY SAME PROBLEM AS OTHER 2001 DODGE INTREPIDS - OIL SLUDGE CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. CURRENTLY WITH DEALER IN HOPES OF REPAIR. STILL OWE $4,400 DOLLARS ON WORTHLESS CAR AS ENGINE IS GONE. *JB

DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS MY 2001 DODGE INTREPID JUST QUIT MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THE WATER PUMP HAD FAILED AND THE TIMING COMPONENTS WERE BAD. APROX REPAIR COST 2000.00. *JB

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE LOCAL MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE ENGINE WAS FILLED WITH SLUDGE AND THE PISTONS WERE WELDED TOGETHER IN THE HEAD GASKET. THE LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE, ALTHOUGH 1 QUART OF OIL WAS ADDED THE WEEK BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ENGINE. *JB

201 DODGE INTREPID: INNER TIE RODS WORN AT APPROX. 70,000 MILES. ALONG WITH RACK AND PINION LEAKING FLUID. CAUSED SEVER PROBLEMS WITH STEERING AND CAR CONTROL. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY SAID I SHOULD NOT BEING DRIVING CAR BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL STEERING CONTROL LOSS. SET APPOINTMENT TO HAVE INNER TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED AND RACK AND PINION AND WOULD NOTIFIED THAT IT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR WEEKS. 1999 CHRYSLER CONCORD: SAME EXACT PROBLEM EXCEPT THAT ONLY COMPLETE STEERING BOX RATHER THAN RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED WITH REPLACEMENT OF INNER TIE ROD ENDS. ALSO, BOTH DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKES PREMATURELY WORE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. PASSENGER SIDE WAS FINE. *NM

I WAS DRIVING MY 2201 DODGE INTREPID AND THE ENGINE FAILED. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WON'T COVER THE DAMAGE AND THE DEALERSHIP IS ASKING FOR $4,084.00 TO PUT A RE-BUILT ENGINE IN IT. MY CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES ON IT. I ALSO PRODUCED RECEIPTS/PRINTOUTS FOR MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGES) PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE CAR STOPPING, THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY TYPE ~ NO OIL OR ENGINE LIGHT TO WARN OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. *JB

8/13/02-WE TOOK OUR 2001 DODGE INTREPID 2.7L IN TO THE DEALER FOR WARRANTY REPAIR. THE HEADLAMPS WERE CHANGE BECAUSE OF FOGGING LENS COVERS. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS WHINING SO THAT WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD 31,207 MILES. 1/14/03-WITH 36,354 MILES ON IT WE HAD THE REAR GLASS REPLACED BECAUSE THE DEFROSTER WAS NOT WORKING. NO COST FOR THIS. ALSO HAD THEM CHECK A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. 12/16/03-47,658 MILES. ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR A PROBLEM IN THE EVAP SYSTEM. DEALER FIXED IT FOR $248.69. WE HAD THEM CHECK FOR THE FRONT END KNOCK BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT WE HAVE THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER LOOKED AT. I DID NOT ASK THEM TO CHECK THAT AT ALL SINCE EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE AT THE TIME. LOOKING BACK I CAN SEE THAT THEY WERE TRYING TO PREVENT SOMETHING THEY KNEW WAS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE! 06/07/04-54,932 MILES. THE A/C STOPPED WORKING. HAD THE DEALER DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM FOR $70.51. THEY SAID THE CONDENSER WAS LEAKING. I REPAIRED IT MYSELF FOR ABOUT $200.00. 01/05/06-74,600 MILES. VEHICLE STARTED KNOCKING LOUDER AND LOUDER WHILE DRIVING ONE DAY SO I DECIDED TO DRIVE MY OTHER CAR. THE NEXT DAY I TRIED TO START THE INTREPID BUT IT WOULD NOT FIRE. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS A TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM. FIX WOULD COST AROUND $1,500. OIL CHANGES WERE MADE EVERY 3000-5000 MILES AND SLUDGED WITH A OIL FLUSH BECAUSE OIL WOULD EVAPORATE. *JB

DT: WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE STALLING. WHILE STALLING THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

MY 2001 DODGE INTREPID ENGINE FAILED WHILE TRYING TO PULL OFF OF THE ROAD LEAVING MY MOTHER HALF IN AND HALF OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE MECHANIC STATES THERE IS NO OIL WITHIN THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, WE JUST HAD A COMPLETE OIL CHANGE IN OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR. THERE IS HAS BEEN NO SIGN OF LEAKING AND NO OIL LIGHT INDICATOR UNTIL IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ENGINE LOCKING. AFTER READING EVERYTHING ON THE WEBSITE I AM APPALLED THAT DODGE CAN GET AWAY WITH THIS. AS CONSUMERS WE HAVE TO JOIN TOGETHER AND FORCE THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THE AVERAGE CONSUMER CANNOT AFFORD TO THROW HARD EARNED MONEY OUT OF THE WINDOW. WE PLAN TO JUNK THE CAR AND NOT RISK FURTHER LOSS AFTER READING THESE HORROR STORIES. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM DODGE OR CHRYSLER. I SPOKE WITH AN ONLINE ENGINE REBUILDER WHO CALLED THIS THE "ENGINE OF THE YEAR". THEY ARE SELLING SO MANY THERE IS A BACKLOG. DESCRIPTIONS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FOUND ONLINE AT: HTTP://WWW.DATATOWN.COM/CHRYSLER/. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS CLOUDY. HE FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO A DEALERSHIP WERE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SEIZED CAUSING A JERKING MOTION FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE A BLOWN ROD WAS DISCOVERED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB

2001 DODGE INTREPID 2.7 ENGINE DIED WHILE DRIVING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 400 MILES THE DAY BEFORE AND PERFORMED FLAWLESSLY. THIS ENGINE FAILURE WAS NOT A CONDITION OF POOR MAINTENANCE AND ESTIMATED REPAIR COSTS ARE $5300.00 AND EXCEED THE RESALE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ENGINE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN A SEVERE SAFETY FACTOR IF IT HAD FAILED 24 HOURS SOONER ON THE TOLL ROAD AT HIGH SPEED. *JB

2001 DODGE INTREPID . TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AT 75000 MILES. I STILL OWE 1 AND A HALF YEAR CAR PAYMENT. CANNOT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED HAD A EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IT EXPIRED. *NM

I OWN A DODGE INTREPID 2001 WITH A 2.7 LITER ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING...NO SOUNDS....NO LIGHTS... THE ENGINE DIED...I NEARLY WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE WAS NO GOOD AND I NEEDED TO REPLACE IT. I WAS QUOTED $6100. 00 AND SLUDGE WAS MENTIONED BY THE MECH. I CHANGED MY OIL EVERY 3000 MILES LIKE CLOCKWORK (MY DAD WAS A AUTO-MECH) BECAUSE I REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS. MY QUESTION IS HOW CAN SLUDGE BUILD UP SO QUICKLY.... AND THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING VERY FISHY HERE... PLEASE HELP... *NM

DRIVING ON FREEWAY ABOUT 60 MILES AN HOUR WHEN OIL LIGHT CAME ON. 2 MINUTES LATER ENGINE FAILED. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WENT OFF. GOT TOWED TO MACHINE SHOP AND THE COST IS 5,000 TO GET IT FIXED. CAR COST ME 3 THOUSAND. I AM STILL PAYING FOR IT, NOW I CAN'T DRIVE IT. I NEED A WAY TO WORK SO THAT I CAN PAY FOR THE CAR. WANT TO GET IN ON CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, NEED TO KNOW HOW TO. *JB

HELP FOR CONSUMERS WITH COMPLAINTS. *NM

I OWN A 2001 DODGE INTREPID THAT I AM STILL PAYING ON. THE ENGINE FAILED AT 69,000 MILES. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. I GOT REGULAR OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES. IT WOULDN'T START ONE DAY, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY ENGINE NEEDED REPLACED DUE TO SLUDGE BUILDUP. THE TIMING CHAIN ALSO FAILED. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE CHILDREN THAT CANNOT AFFORD $6,500 FOR AN ENGINE. I AM STUCK PAYING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR. *NM

THE ENGINE JUST WENT DEAD WHEN I WAS DRIVING. NO SIGNS BEFORE THAT. I BOUGHT THE CAR ONLY FOR 31 DAYS. *NM

ON 11/29/05 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON I-10 THROUGH THE DESERTED AND HURRICANE KATRINA STORM RAVAGED SECTION OF NEW ORLEANS EAST WHEN MY 2001 INTREPID SEIZED UP AND WOULD NOT RUN. I BARELY MANAGED TO SAFELY GET THE CAR OFF OF THE INTERSTATE AND ONTO THE NOW DESOLATE MORRISON ROAD EXIT. AS A WOMAN ALONE I WAS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENED TO HAVE MY CAR ABRUPTLY SEIZE UP ON THE INTERSTATE AND WAS TERRIFIED THAT IT WOULD NOT MAKE IT TO A SAFE PLACE OFF OF THE INTERSTATE WITHOUT GETTING HIT. ONCE I ROLLED TO A STOP, HOWEVER, I DISCOVERED THAT I WAS IN AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE AREA AS THE AREA HAD BEEN FLOODED AND LOOTED AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA, THERE WERE NO BUSINESSES OPEN TO HELP ME DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE STORM DAMAGE IN THE AREA, AAA TOLD ME IT COULD BE HOURS BEFORE THEY COULD GET TO ME, AND IT WAS GOING TO BE DARK WITHIN AN HOUR. IT WAS SO DANGEROUS THAT THE NATIONAL GUARD AND THEN THE STATE POLICE WOULD NOT LEAVE UNTIL AAA ARRIVED. ONCE AT THE GARAGE, WE WERE GIVEN THE CHRYSLER SONG AND DANCE THAT THE CAR ENGINE FAILED BECAUSE OF SLUDGE AND THAT IT HAD TO BE OUR FAULT. THEY OFFERED TO HAPPILY REPLACE THE ENGINE FOR A SUM OF $7,000. NO MENTION WAS MADE OF ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT CHRYSLER HAS HAD ON THE 2001 INTREPID ENGINE AND THE NUMEROUS FAILURES OF THIS ENGINE. DUE TO THE EMINENT DANGER THAT CHRYSLER PLACED ME IN - CONTINUING TO ALLOW ME AS A REGISTERED 2001 INTREPID OWNER TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WHICH THEY KNEW WAS GOING TO FAIL OR HAD A HIGH CHANGE OF FAILING - PERHAPS SOME OF T

DT: THE CONTACT STATES VEHICLE DIED WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIRMAN INFORMED HER THAT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP. SHE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER,THAT AND THEY REQUESTED SHE BRING VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM WORK IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE, ONCE I GOT IT HOME INTO THE DRIVE IT STOPPED RUNNING. HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BUT LUCKY FOR ME I DON'T LIVE MORE THAN 5 MILES FROM WHERE I WORK. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE THEY SAID THAT THE IS SLUDGE BUILD UP AND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN WHICH HAD BLOWN UP THE ENGINE. THEY MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THESE CARS AND I PAID HIM $2,000 DOWN TO START WORKING ON THE CAR. MY FIEND SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT THE CHRYSLER COMPANY AND I OPENED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. THEY SAID I NEEDED TO HAVE THE WORK DONE BY ONE OF THEIR CERTIFIED MECHANICS, I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD ALREADY STARTED THE WORK AT ANOTHER COMPANY. THEY REFUSE TO HELP WITH ANY OF THE COSTS UNLESS I HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO ONE OF THEIR COMPANIES WHERE I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE ORIGINAL MECHANIC OVER A $1,000 TO REPLACE THE OLD ENGINE AND CANCEL THE ORDER OF THE NEW ONE. I HAD CALLED THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO ALL OF THIS AND BECAUSE THE CAR'S WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED THEY OFFERED NO HELP. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE HAD SLUDGE BUILD UP, AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. HE CHOSE NOT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *AK THE AIR CONDITION AND HEAT DID NOT WORK AND THE TIMING BELT WAS LOOSE. UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB

DT: CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THEY CLAIMED IT HAPPENED DUE TO THE CONTACT'S ERROR ON OIL CHANGES. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AS WELL. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS CONCERNING THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE CONTACT PROVIDED DOCUMENTATION FOR OIL CHANGES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANT. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WILL NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE EXPENSE. *AK

DT: THE CONTACTS STATED SMOKE EMANATED FROM THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO STATED S THERE WAS OIL SLUG BUILT UP IN THE MOTOR. THE DEALER INSISTED THAT THE CONTACT DID NOT CHANGE THE OIL OFTEN ENOUGH. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. THE DEALER OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE SERVICEMAN SAID THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE ANTIFREEZE LEAKED INTO THE OIL. THE ENGINE LOCKED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT PLAN TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. THE ENGINE I LOCKED, AND WILL HAVE TO BE REBUILT. THE MECHANIC STATED THE OIL WAS NOT GETTING THROUGH THE WHOLE ENGINE, RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. SHE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY.*A

LTR SEEKING STATUS OF COMPLAINT FILED W/ODI RE DEFECTS OF THE STEERING RACK ON HIS 2001 DODGE INTREPID, REPLY TO CONSTITUENT/COPY JOHN LEITCH/WASH. DC, REF ES05-006486 /S/ HARRINGTON 8/11/05. *TS *JB

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE INTREPID AND I HAVE NOTICED IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS THAT THE MOLDING ON THE INSIDE OF MY DOORS ARE SHRINKING AND IT IS CAUSING AIR FROM THE OUTSIDE TO COME IN AND CAUSE LOUD OUTSIDE NOISE WHILE DRIVING. NONE OF THE DEALERS IN MY AREA WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *NM

CAR SEIZED UP AFTERNOON OF OCT. 14, 2005. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED WITH OIL CHANGES EVERY 3-5,000 MILES. *JB

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. HE STATED THAT HIS WIFE COMPLAINED THAT THE CAR WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND IN TO HE OTHER GEARS. THE MECHANIC THAT CHECKED VEHICLE SAID IT WAS THE SHIFT CABLE THAT CONNECTS THE SHIFT LEVER TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH INTREPIDS. ON 10-03-05 HE HAD THE CABLE REPLACED AT A COST OF $207.19. HAD TO WAIT FOUR DAYS BEFORE THE PARTS CAME IN TO GET VEHICLE FIXED. THE CONTACT WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE THIS FRIGHTENED HIM BECAUSE IF THIS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE INTREPIDS AS THE MECHANIC STATED, WHY HAS THIS NEVER FALLEN UNDER A RECALL? *AK

NORMAL DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I COULD GET ONTO NEXT EXIT (1/4 MILE), ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. TOOK EXIT AND PULLED DIRECTLY INTO CLOSED CAR DEALERSHIP PARKING LOT. ENGINE DIED. OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE. CALLED MECHANIC. TOWED CAR TO HIS SHOP. HAD CAR FOR 6 MONTHS TRYING TO FIND REPLACEMENT ENGINE. PUT IN REBUILT ENGINE. AFTER 5 MONTHS, ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING AS BEFORE. STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND HAD TOWED TO MY HOUSE WHERE IT NOW SITS. 1ST ENGINE AND PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE INTREPID. ON 10-06-05 THE CONTACT'S GRANDSON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE CONTACT REPORTSED OF HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS THAT CAME ON PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. SHE HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THEY TOLD HER THE MOTOR BLEW OUT. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON IT. THE MECHANIC AT THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD HER HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER TO CALL THE NHTSA. HER DAUGHTER FOUND THE NUMBER ON THE WEBSITE. THE CONTACT TALKED TO A DODGE MANUFACTURER IN DETROIT. THEY GAVE HER A CLAIM NUMBER: 14143722. THEY TOLD HER TO SHOW PROOF OF ALL OF THE OIL CHANGES SHE HAD DONE ON THE CAR ,AND THEY WOULD TAKE IT UP FROM THERE. THE MECHANIC TOLD HER THE OIL WAS VERY CLEAN. HE HAD JUST CHANGED IT ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO. *AK

ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. HAD TO COAST ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE EXIT. DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP. SECOND TIME MAJOR WORK HAS HAD TO BE DONE TO THIS ENGINE DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP. *NM

ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A TAPPING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MOTOR WAS FULL OF SLUDGE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THAT CHRYSLER EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR. HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP - REPLACED TIMING CHAIN, TENSIONER, OIL PUMP. COST OF REPAIR APPROX. $2450. OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *NM

MY CAR WAS PARKED AND THE IGNITION WAS OFF. I STARTED THE CAR, PLACED IT IN GEAR AND IT "BOLTED" FORWARD AT A HIGH SPEED. I WAS PARKED FACING A GUARD RAIL IN A SHOPPING CENTER AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND SMASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP FOR EXTENSIVE REPAIRS. I DON'T HAVE THE REPAIR ESTIMATE AS OF THIS DATE. CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. *NM