206 of the 493 complaints about the 1998 Dodge Intrepid are about the engine — 42% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 87,000 miles.
206
Complaints
1
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE FAILURE CLICKING NOISE POSSIBLE VALVE TRAIN. CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL BUT NO PROPERLY LUBRICATING ENGINE PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10423863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE MOTOR FAILED DUE TO THE ANTI-FREEZE AND OIL MIXING TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10366680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
IN 2007 I BOUGHT A 1998 DODGE INTREPID 2.7 L ENGINE....NONETHELESS THE ENGINE BLEW. THE CAR HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. IT GAVE NO WARNING THAT THERE WERE ANY SIGNS OF ENGINE TROUBLE. I PAID $6995 FOR THE CAR, IT HAD 67,000 MILES ON IT.....2YRS LATER AT 87,000 IT DIED....LEAVING ME TO PAY THE REST OF THE LOAN OF $2200 ON A CAR THAT JUST SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY!!!
NHTSA complaint #10278329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I BOUGHT A DODGE INTREPID IN APRIL 08. IT HAD 53,000 MILES, IN GREAT CONDITION AND SPOTLESS CARFAX. THE CAR STARTED MAKING PROBLEMS AT 57000 MILES. IT OVERHEATED, SO WE GOT THE RADIATOR FIXED WHICH SOLVED MY PROBLEM FOR A WEEK OR SO. AFTER THAT WEEK, WHILE DRIVING ON THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY MY ENGINE QUIT ON ME, AND STARTED STEAMING WHEN TRYING TO TURN IT BACK ON. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THAT HAPPENING WHATSOEVER. NO LIGHTS ON, NO ENGINE OVERHEATING, NOTHING. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS BROKEN BEYOND REPAIR, AND WE DONATED THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10246442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ENGINE IN MY 1998 DODGE INTREPID WITH 56K MILES N IT IS KNOCKING. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. IT IS THE 2.7 L DOHC AND I HAVE BEEN READING NUMEROUS REPORTS/COMPLAINTS OF THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10245291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
ENGINE PROBLEMS W/SLUDGE DODGE INTREPID W/2.7 ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10244673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK, RATTLE, MAKE NOISE, AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED LIFTERS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10242742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT TOWED INTO REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE VALVES WERE BURNT AND BLOCK WAS CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #10235544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT TOWED INTO REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE VALVES WERE BURNT AND BLOCK WAS CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #10235544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CAR STARTING SMOKING AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON...CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON AND STILL SMOKING LOTS.
NHTSA complaint #10229202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE A 98 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 2.7L ENGINE. I BOUGHT CAR IN JULY 06, CAME WITH 90 DAY WARRANTY. HAD IT TO DEALER WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE FOR "TICKING" NOISE. WAS TOLD WAS "NORMAL LIFTER NOISE". TWO WEEKS AGO, ENGINE BLEW. TIMING CHAIN BROKE, DAMAGING LIFTERS, PISTONS, ETC. NEED NEW ENGINE AT COST OF MERELY $6,000. OR USED AT $4,000. STILL OWE $4,600 ON CAR. I FEEL TOTALLY RIPPED OFF! I AM PAYING FOR A JUNK CAR THAT I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE. LOST ONE JOB BECAUSE OF NO TRANSPORTATION, AND MAY SOON LOSE SECOND JOB FOR SAME REASON.
NHTSA complaint #10227392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I WAS ON VACATION FOR THE WEEKEND IN CANADA, ON THE WAY BACK, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY INTO A HOTEL PARKING LOT, AND THE KNOCK WAS SO LOUD, IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO EXPLODE. IT IS ONCE AGAIN A 1998 DODGE INTREPID 2.7 LITER ENGINE, THAT HAS GONE BAD. I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE 2001, AND HAVE CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES WITH SYNTHETIC OIL. I EVEN HAD THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONERS CHANGED JANUARY 2007, BECAUSE I HEARD THESE GO BAD AND RUIN THE ENGINE. I AM A FORMER MECHANIC, WHO REALLY TAKES CARE OF MY VEHICLES. EVERY MECHANIC TOLD ME IN 2001 THAT THESE ENGINES ARE JUNK, AND NOT TO BUY IT, BUT I DIDN'T LISTEN TO THEM. NOW THE CAR SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND I STILL OWE MONEY ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10211796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VERY LOUD KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE OCCURRED THEN THE ENGINE DIED LIFTERS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE COLLAPSED AND KNOCKING STILL OCCURS AND MECHANIC IS NOW CHECKING INTO THE TIMING CHAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10211200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH ABOUT 100,000 MILES FOR $2,000. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL CAR IN AND OUT FOR THE PRICE GREAT CONDITION! I'VE NOTICED THAT WHEN I START IF UP TO LET IF WARM, IT WAR EXTREMELY LOUD, BUT I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A BIG DEAL SINCE IT'S COLD OUT AND IT NEEDED TO WARM. TONIGHT I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN IT WENT SILENT, AND STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A !@#$% HIGHWAY AT A RED LIGHT TOO. NO LIGHTS CAME ON TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. I FINALLY GOT IT STARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF HARASSING DRIVERS AND GOT IT TO A PARKING LOT WHEN IT STALLED AGAIN RIGHT WHEN I PULLED IN. STARTED IT AGAIN AND PARKED IT. CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS BONE DRY. I BOUGHT AND PUT PLENTY OF OIL IN IT LET IT RUN DROVE A LITTLE AND IT WORKED GREAT. DROVE HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. ITS NOW SITTING IN TOWN UNTIL I HAVE IT TOWED TOMORROW. NICE CAR INSIDE AND OUT!!!! DANGEROUSLY SHOTTY AMERICAN MOTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10211250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE KEEPS TURNING OFF , OIL LIGHT KEEPS FLICKERING WHEN STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10207668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY REMAINS AT THE DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
NHTSA complaint #10205256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 1998 DODGE INTREPID, IT HAS 128,000 MILES ON IT...OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES....I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF...IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE...MY HUSBAND IS A AUTO MECHANIC, SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE WHERE MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT, WHICH HAD BENT THE INTAKE VALVES...UPON INSPECTION OF THE BLOCK HE NOTICED A DEFECT IN THE BLOCK...THE OIL RETURN HOLES ARE TO SMALL AND BECOME CLOGGED, WHICH IN TURN CAUSES ENGINE FAILURE....AND ENGINE FAILURE CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS, IF IT FAILS AT THE WRONG TIME AND PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10203903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP. MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2.7L ENGINES DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED, HAD IT BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS A SERIOUS CRASH COULD OF OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10198409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS AND SAW SMOKE EXITING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAP ON TOP OF THE SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE HEAD. WHEN THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE SPARK PLUG THE SPRING BECAME LODGED INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE SPARK PLUG COULD NOT BE PLACED INSIDE THE HEAD AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS STRIPPED OUT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #10188448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1999 I BOUGHT A 98 DODGE INTREPID. 2000, ENGINE BLOWN FROM OIL SLUDGE AT 42,000. I WAS TAKING KIDS TO SCHOOL AND CAR STOPPED WITH NO WARNING ON RAILROAD TRACKS AND HAD TO BE TOWED. PAID $500.00 DEDUCTIBLES AT DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED ENGINE. HAD PROOF OF OIL CHANGES. 2002 BROKE DOWN AGAIN. THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND BROKE OTHER PARTS. THIS COST $800.00. ALSO, I HAVE REPLACE ALL WINDOW MOTORS AT LEAST ONCE AND TWICE AGAIN ON TWO MORE. AND RELAY SWITCHES. AT THIS POINT BECAUSE I PAID $21,000 FOR THIS CAR ALSO ALL THE MONEY IN REPAIRS. TOO MUCH INVESTED TO JUST LET IT GO. I STARTED USING FULLY SYNTHETIC OIL AND CHANGES OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. THIS WAS ALSO EXPENSIVE. I HAD TO TRY SOMETHING TO SAVE THIS CAR. WELL THAT DIDN'T WORK EITHER. 2005 THE ENGINE BLEW AGAIN, OIL SLUDGE. I HAS SET AT THE GARAGE UNTIL 12/06. I HAD TO BORROW A CAR FOR THE PAST YEAR UNTIL I COULD FIX THE INTREPID AGAIN. NOW I HAVE PAID ANOTHER $2000.00 TO SWITCH THE ENGINE WITH AT 3.2 LITER ENGINE. I GET IT BACK TODAY!! I CAN NOT FIND EVEN A JUNKYARD SALVAGE YARD THAT WILL THAT THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THAT IS SAD!! I HAVE BEEN TOLD BE EVERY MECHANIC AND SALVAGE COMPANY I HAVE CONTACTED, THAT EVERYONE IS AWARE OF THE 2.7 PROBLEMS AND WILL NOT TOUCH ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10177415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 1998 CHRYSLER INTREPID WITH A 2.7 ENGINE. THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT HAS REPEATEDLY COME ON AT AN IDLE. THE ENGINE WAS CHECKED NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST A YEAR AND HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY CHECKED. NOW THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AND HAS CAUSED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10177157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED A NEW MOTOR WAS NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #10175506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR 1998 DODGE INTREPID ES AT 103,000 MILES. REBUILT ONE PUT IN AND LASTED 30,000 MILES. PUT IN REBUILT ENGINE AGAIN AT 130,000 MILES. ENGINE STARTING TO ACT UP AGAIN ONLY AFTER 5 MONTHS OF DRIVING. TEMPERATURE CONTROL NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND ENGINE STARTING TO ACT UP AGAIN. ALL THIS IN LESS THAN THREE YEARS. SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR DEFECT IN TRANSMISSIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10175243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, A LEAK WAS NOTICED UNDER THE ENGINE. THE DEALER REPLACED A PART ON THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE UPPER PLENUM WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10168837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING ON A HIGHWAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND THE OIL CHANGES WERE MAINTAINED EVERY 3,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10167841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1998 DODGE INTREPID, OIL SLUDGE CAUSE TIMING CHAIN TO BREAK, DAMAGING EVERYTHING. CAR JUST QUIT.
NHTSA complaint #10166191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED , LEAVING THE CONSUMER STRANDED. A REPUTABLE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HAD FAILED AND WAS IRREPARABLE. UPDATED 9/5/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10163983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1998 INTREPID ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS THE CONSUMER OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT PRIOR TO THE FIRE. *NM UPDATED 07/20/06.
NHTSA complaint #10163692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 5/06 FROM PRIVATE DEALER. FUILD AND OIL LEVELS WHERE INSPECTED BY OWNER (AT JIFFY LUBE WITH DOCUMANTATION) WHICH WERE CLEAN AND FULL. OIL CHANGE HAD BEEN DONE LESS THEN 3,000 MILES PRIOR AND WAS NOT DUE. ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON, THERE WAS A CLICK COMING FROMTHE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS PULLED OVER, FROM OFF THE FREEWAY, AND THE ENGINE SEIZED.
NHTSA complaint #10163125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MY CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER ON A WEDNESDAY AND RADIATOR WAS REPLACED, AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK ON FRIDAY EVENING, SAT. THE CAR OVERHEATED AGAIN AND HAD TO BE TOWED. AFTER CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THE MOTOR BLEW AND THEY WERE TRYING TO FIND A REPLACEMENT. I WAS TOLD I MUST HAVE RUN THE CAR HOT. THE CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE RUN HOT IF A NEW RADIATOR WAS INSTALLED THE DAY BEFORE. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A CAR PAYMENT AND NO CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10161460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.