Dodge Intrepid Problems

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Comments

  • emaleemale Member Posts: 1,380
    they did a buy back just because a dealership didn't rid your climate control of mold?! wow...
  • ottowrkrottowrkr Member Posts: 778
    This happens with all cars ,not just Intrepid's. So it really doesn't matter what you buy.
  • ken126ken126 Member Posts: 39
    I have a 96 intrepid with a 3.3 engine. The other day I started it up in the morning and the car emitted blue smoke and the valves sounded like they were going to blow through the hood. Since that moment the car has run flawless again.

    Any ideas of what that could be???????
  • thor8thor8 Member Posts: 303
    By your description, it could not be a mechanical breakdown because an engine will not heal by itself, but more likely a computer glitch, maybe dumping too much fuel.
  • ken126ken126 Member Posts: 39
    thanks for your response, hopefully it wont happen again..
  • j_j_kiddj_j_kidd Member Posts: 19
    Marks on the hood are probably a design problem and not defective paint. I have other areas around the windshield that have peeled, no rust, and the color is grey which I take to be primer. The top of the trunk lid has faded and is no longer smooth, feels like sandpaper.
    I showed the problems to the dealers rep, he indicated cause to be age, and or rock chips. He offered a paint job for 650.00.
    Has anyone encountered similar problems.
  • cats8cats8 Member Posts: 22
    How fast does the 99' INTREPID go, and does the
    engine make a lot of noise when you floor it if so email me at mkitty@inreach.com
  • jeffiijeffii Member Posts: 2
    Holden the current America head of DC will be replaced with the German Zetsche to rule the American operations, and that can only be a good thing. With a little more German influence perhaps Daimler's Chrysler division will show some modern styling, perhaps resembling the lines offered by the other German manufacture.
  • bnormannbnormann Member Posts: 335
    jeffi,

    I don't think "modern styling" is what DC lacks...

    Rather, it is the overzealous mechanical engineering that the German car companies are famous for, that Chrysler lacks.
  • emaleemale Member Posts: 1,380
    for the amount of money you pay for a merc, daimler better have sweated all the details (ie...overzealous mechanical engineering)! but they have goof ups too. look at all the bad press the m-class has gotten (sqeaks and rattles, cheap interior materials, etc)... and also that a-class car that easily flipped over! anyway, it is very ironic that the chrysler group is going through tough times at this point in their existence. especially at a time when their products are better than they've ever been, and likely better than much of the competition! let's just hope the german influence doesn't screw that up!!
  • thor8thor8 Member Posts: 303
    I own a dodge intrepid also, and that is the reason I lurk in here once in a while, but I also own an ML 430 amongst other vehicles in my household, the one thing I find anoying is the same old repetition about the Ml, ie, rattles, squeaks, relaiability, etc, oh boy, once a rumor gets started is hell to stop, the truth is that engineering wise the ML is very advanced art, the ligthweigth aluminun engine without iron sleeves but ceramics coating is a first, mercedes said this technology is available to anyone for a price, the new vettes adopted this technology and more manufactures are adopting it, the three valves and two plugs per cylinder and stainless steel double wall stamped exhaust headers combination reduces emissions considerably while keeping a good hp to mpg ratio and variable intake plennum augments torque at low rpm, a super smooth five speed transmission (that will be installed in all chrysler products as soon as the new plant in Indiana is completed), all wheel independent suspension with forged aluminum A frames along with the numerous technical details makes the ML a very advanced vehicle, second to none.

    Any vehicle is liable to leave one stranded, but in the ML section the most numerous at edmunds with thousands of postings I have yet to find one where the driver was stranded, not saying that is has not happened but it must be a very rare ocurrence since I have not heard about it yet, reliability can not be an issue, on the other hand my intrepid has left me stranded three times and some costly repair bills. In truth the Ml rides much better and quietly than the intrepid without that awfull road roar, I never had any noises or rattles in my ML, heard about, but nothing more than upholstery and things like that, the cabin being quiet magnyfies any small chirp, and being a mercedes it becomes an unforgiving sin, considering new model, new plant, new employees, if that is the worst that came out of it, hey, lets givemm a break.
  • emaleemale Member Posts: 1,380
    thor8,

    fyi...the only chryslers that will get the mb 5 speed auto are to be rear wheel drive. plus, said tranny would be far too expensive to put in say the stratus or neon.

    as for mb quality, that is also overhyped! mb does no better than many plebian japanese brands in quality surveys. additionally, a mechanic friend of mine who works on all types of cars, says that mbs are so complex and costly to work on that he would never recommend keeping one past the warranty...his words,not mine.
  • thor8thor8 Member Posts: 303
    Hate to tell you, but some of this plebeian japanese brands cost almost 20 grand more than an ML, there is nothing overrated here the thing drives as good as it gets and tell your friend that I plan to keep this one like all the other MBs I had, well past the 200K mark.
  • emaleemale Member Posts: 1,380
    hope your porshe lasts that long too!
  • cats8cats8 Member Posts: 22
    How fast does the 99' INTREPID go, and does the
    engine make a lot of noise when you floor it if
    so email me at mkitty@inreach.com oky?
  • cats8cats8 Member Posts: 22
    Do the intrepid valves go dad at 100000k. is the2.7 good it haves 200 horsepower and the 3.2 haves 225 horsepower and the 3.5 haves 242 horsepower. how mouch can you put on a 2.7 as rpms gose you can put 3800 rpms on the 3.2 whey did the car and driver give the intrepid best tenn. email me at mkitty@inreach.com
  • pat455pat455 Member Posts: 603
    Please see my reply to your similar question in our Kia Sephia topic - you can click on that highlighted link to go directly there.

    Pat
    Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference
  • hengheng Member Posts: 411
    have infected the new Jeeps also. I haven't checked the other vehicle specific sites besides the Jeep and Durango sites, I've seen enough.

    The types of problems described (not just the A/C) are quality problems, either material, assembly or design. They are fundamental to the Chrysler engineering culture because these problems have existed for a long time, cross models, redesigns and factories. (Notice I've left out the Daimler Benz connection because they are just a corporate affiliation as of now.)

    If you think the A/C problems statistics are inproving (or any of the problems), go see the 2000 Jeep Grand Cheerokee lemon posts. Until I see trends of less posts about these types of persistent problems, a Chrysler product is not in my future.

    Thank you all for the big picture.
  • j_j_kiddj_j_kidd Member Posts: 19
    Anyone dealing with facts would have to admit the quality of the Chrysler product certainly has not been improving. Clear evidence to this is the 60 month 0% interest program that Chrysler is now offering to move the hugh inventory of unsold 2000 models.
  • emaleemale Member Posts: 1,380
    absolutely wrong! anybody dealing with the "facts" would have to say that chrysler has most certainly improved. consumer's union reliability reports, jd power scores. basing quality on the amount of incentives is about the dumbest thing i've ever heard!
  • j_j_kiddj_j_kidd Member Posts: 19
    It appears the difficulties at Chrysler AM has somones nerves quite raw. I won't stoop to respond to the dumbest thing, just one observation, if the product is soooooooooo good, then why all of the incentives to rid themselves of previous years stock. If one cares to check, the quality autos like Mercedes, Lexus, BMW, VW, etc offer only the incentive of the pleasure of having a top quality auto. Another incentive Chrysler is now offering is longer standard warranty on the 2001. History shows the tatic was almost fatal to their survival earlier. I believe their warranty now mirrors that of Hyundia perhaps they are also of equal quality.
  • bnormannbnormann Member Posts: 335
    ...and this has NOTHING to do with Dodge Intrepid Problems.

    Get back on topic and behave people.

    JJ, haven't seen you around these parts. Are you new to this forum?

    Your host, Bruce
  • emaleemale Member Posts: 1,380
    host, i bet i know who jj is! got any money to wager?
  • j_j_kiddj_j_kidd Member Posts: 19
    I have been reading the posts here for awhile. Some others on my shift post here occasionally. There are only three of us Chrysler suffers left in this department. My Intrepid is three years old, suffering from scabies. I came here to read the test results and comments to help decide what the replacement will be.

    I have also been advised about a certain SOB that lurks at this site to discredit any negative comments regarding his beloved.
  • ekentekent Member Posts: 4
    It is my humble opinion that the main reason Dodge is running such grand incentives, and not just on Intrepids, is that they mis-projected consumer demand and over made many models from list of offerings. More than one publication source has made statements that Dodge will be curtailing their manufacturing quantities over the 2000 model year. If you want a Dodge product, buy it soon for you might not be able to wheel and deal on it come mid next year. My apologies for the off-track subject, but wanted enlighten those still in the dark.


    EK
  • gr8whtgr8wht Member Posts: 1
    I find it funny that people here slam the Intrepid and don't even own one! Well Im not slamming it. I do own one and it has been the only car i have ever bought (I have had over 10) that has been 100% reliable and defect free.

    So unless you have one, shut up.
  • thor8thor8 Member Posts: 303
    Here and there I put my intrepid for sale but to no avail, out of the last three ads I put on the paper for a total time of three weeks I only got one call, today I went to see a friend who started selling used cars about a year ago, I asked him if he would take it on consigment, he said a dodge not really, he told me the abysmall low prices they are going for.

    The car is a 94 ES with 42000 miles, garage kept, looks new with four brand new good year regatta tires with 50 miles on them, he told me the loan value is about 3100, so it stays in the garage taking up space as a spare car, the problem is we have eigth other cars in the house, but I hate to give it away too, on the other hand it is not a dependable car, notorious about quiting on the road, it has been at dealer so many times and has cost several thousands on repair after the warranty ran out because of time not milleage that nobody around here wants it but for local errands.
  • j_j_kiddj_j_kidd Member Posts: 19
    A 100% reliable and defect free Intrepid.

    Could you supply the criteria you use for rating your defect free Intrepid. I would like to rate my less that 100% defect free Intrepid, and by using your criteria I will attempt to be as objective as possible.

    BTW are you the same one who reported seeing Elvis perform at a local mall recently?
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,857
    Well, I guess if it starts every time, and nothing breaks on it, and it never leaves you stranded then it's 100% reliable.

    I don't know where I would rate mine...not 100% but definitely up there. It's never left me stranded, and has started every time. The only things that aren't really right on it now are the cup holder, which won't fully open, and the cover on the ashtray (or where it would be if I had the smoker's package) that opens every time I hit the brakes hard.

    I used to think there was something wrong with the transaxle, until I found out that you're supposed to wait a few seconds after starting the car to shift it into reverse.

    I think it's interesting that, in this day and age, they build cars that can be so inconsistent that one can perform almost flawlessly but another of the same model can be a total lemon. But this isn't a Chrysler-only problem. I know people who have bought Hondas, supposedly the most loved cars out there, and swore they never would again. I guess Honda really does stand for "Had On, Never Did Again." ;-)
    -Andre
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,857
    My keyboard's been acting up again (either that or my coordination...) That last line should've read "Had One, Never Did Again."
    -Andre
  • williamselliotwilliamselliot Member Posts: 1
    I have a 94 Dodge Intrepid ES 3.4L..with tranny rebuilt by dealer at 94K miles...now at 146K I have overdrive jumping in and out at all speeds between 48 and 70 mph..Should I dump it or fix it..Local Dodge dealers want to take it to AAAMCO and I can see big $$$ or is this an adjustment.

    If I run in 3rd Lockdown at 70..will I kill my fuel consumption??
    You can email me at elliottw@kpgraphics.com 11.29.00 Many thanks
  • j_j_kiddj_j_kidd Member Posts: 19
    A/C, transmission, brakes, paint, poor resale value, and now this, poor DCX


    http://www.detroitnews.com/2000/autos/0011/28/a01-154548.htm

    Off subject question, How can the Canadians have a confirmed election results, the day after the election, with five parties running for office, and the Americanos are still fighting two weeks later over dimples and chads??
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,857
    I don't know about the elections, but didn't the Canadians build some huge, technically advanced bridge for something like $2Million, whereas here in Washington, DC, they can't even do a study to replace our Woodrow Wilson Brige for that!

    -Andre
  • jsylvesterjsylvester Member Posts: 572
    Easy as to why. This country is run by lawyers, whose purpose is to gum things up to keep themselves fully employed. Throw in a candidate who will stop at nothing to steal the election, and you have gridlock.

    Lawyers are like pimps, someone else does the work, and they get the money.

    Back to the topic, from what I understand, the 98 redesign is a much better car quality wise. The 93 was such a radical new design, I would have avoided it for a few model years until the bugs were gone.
  • mark0868mark0868 Member Posts: 3
    Please help. I saw on TV and Dodge's website that they are offering 0% financing up to 60 mos. on the 2000 Intrepid. I am considering buying one since the entire amount of my payments would go straight to principle. I am interested in hearing everyone's input on whether or not I should proceed. Let me know about your buying experience, service, warranty work and reliability. Thanks!
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,857
    I bought a 2000 Intrepid last year when they were offering 0.9% financing. My monthly payment is about $347 a month, and I think my total interest is around $450 for the life of the loan.

    I now have around 32,500 miles on it, and no problems yet! So far all I've had to do is get new tires at 30K miles and have the transaxle serviced. I used to deliver pizzas part time, so my car has seen some pretty severe duty.

    I also went for the extended warranty, which bumped it out to 5 years/100K miles. This may end up being total fluff and profit for the dealer, but in this era of $2,000-$3000 transmission rebuilds and all the other stuff that can potentially go wrong on any modern car, I wanted the warranty to last at least as long as the payment book!

    -Andre
  • susans4susans4 Member Posts: 2
    We have a '93 Intrepid with 120,000 miles which has run flawlessly up to this point (with the exception of AC problems in the past-unrelated to our current problem). Recently we have suffered problems involving dashboard gauges. Occasionally all gauges fail to function, air bag light illuminates and it won't shift out of first gear when the gauges have failed. According to the shop, the transmission and gauges shouldn't be related. But they clearly are. Sometimes shutting down the car and starting it will bring the gauges and transmission back to normal. Other times the gauges and transmission will return to normal while driving after a minute or two. The dealer has replaced the ECM module 3 times (twice improperly programmed ECM modules from Chrysler), and the air bag module once. The problem persists. The dealer shop is stumped but is willing to continue to look at the problem (not for free). We've already spent $550 on this problem. Any ideas before we spend more money?
  • j_j_kiddj_j_kidd Member Posts: 19
    Your probably thinking about the Confederation Bridge linking New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island. 12.9km making it the longest bridge in the world over frozen water. Built by a private consortium for 1.5 billion. Government will pay 42million for 35 years to cover cost of construction and maintenance. Funds to cover payments are obtained by tolls. Latest info I have shows it is running at a profit.
  • jeffiijeffii Member Posts: 2
    I have had the r.h. headlamp bulb replaced three times in the last month. The first replacement was by the dealer, and the first since the car was new. I have replaced the other two myself, everytime it has been the high beam that was burned out. Could I have obtained two defective bulbs or should I be looking for something else.
    I have notice recently that when idling with lights and heater on the dash lights and headlights will dim then come back to full brightness, could the bulb problem be related to
    this, if so why only the rh one?
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 25,857
    jeffii

    The headlights/dash lights will momentarily dim when the radiator fan kicks on. The fan is electric, and only runs when it needs to, but when it turns on it draws more current. This used to bother me when it did it, until I figured out what it was. All of my other cars were old designs, where the fan was driven by a belt and ran all the time, so this occurence never came up with them.

    If your rh bulb keeps burning out, maybe there's an electrical problem somewhere thats giving that side too much current. At night when you turn on the lights, does the rh side seem brighter?

    Just my thoughts,
    -Andre
  • adf1adf1 Member Posts: 20
    Just got to 33K miles on my 98 ES. Touching (not really pressing) the breaks on high speeds, causes the car & steering wheel to viberate and if I want to stop, it extremely viberates. It happens only on high sppeds. I suspect it's the rotors and since I'm still under warranty I wonder if someone in the group has either had simila problem or knowledge about it. Appreciate any help.
  • susans4susans4 Member Posts: 2
    Regarding rotors, sorry, get out your checkbook. We turned the rotors for the first time at 18,000 miles, they were replaced by 75,000. We were told it was a cheap rotor part put on at the factory. Unfortunately we were also informed rotors were a wear and tear item, not covered under warranty.
  • j_j_kiddj_j_kidd Member Posts: 19
    Susan4 is correct, Chrysler will not cover the cost of rotor / pad replacement. Under most conditions the Intrepid will need rotor replacement/ resurfacing every 24k consider yourself lucky to get 33k on the originals.
    If cheaper prices equal cheaper product the current Chrysler products may have more reliability problems than the previous batch. Chrysler has given a non negotiable directive to all of its parts suppliers to lower product cost by 5% Jan 01-01 and a further reduction of 10% will be demanded in the next 24 month period. Daimler states the reductions are necessary if the Chrysler division is to survive.
  • jsylvesterjsylvester Member Posts: 572
    Ever own a Taurus? I had a 92 that warped rotors constantly, it is due to a bimetal design to save weight in the car. I learned to live with them.

    Funny, I had an 87 Sundance Turbo that had it's original brake pads and shoes until 92,000 miles, and still had the original rotors when it went to the boneyard.

    My R/T has the European spec vented rotors from the 300M PHP. Hopefully they will be as good.

    As far as Chrysler and their suppliers, they are now doing what Ford and GM has been doing for years. Hey, when Daimler buys you, sucks all your cash out for boondoggle purchases (Mitsubishi, Hyundai, etc.), of course you won't has the cash for when times are bad. Look for Daimler to run this company further into the ground. Daimler builds a great car at $50,000, big deal, who couldn't?
  • j_j_kiddj_j_kidd Member Posts: 19
    My point exactly, Chrysler is now doing what Ford and GM has been doing for years, its too bad they had to be absorbed by another company to get that lesson. BTW did Chrysler have the money on hand to survive the last crises or did they go to the government for a handout?
  • jsylvesterjsylvester Member Posts: 572
    So you are telling me that Chrysler parts have been superior in the past? In my experience, that was true. This is a good lesson they have learned from Der Kaiser, namely to force suppliers to unilaterally cut costs and ship crap?

    Actually yes, if you recall the very early 90's, they did have the cash on hand to survive the transistion from the K-car designs to the "cab forward" design. As far as the government guarenteed loans, they actually never received a "handout", only the feds signed as a secondary guaranter on the loans. I was against that move, but looking back, it was a good deal for all involved. Kind of like what the feds do for your college loans when you finally graduate from high school.

    Sounds like they can learn a little about handouts from Der Kaiser, as Alabama gave Mercedes everything but the kitchen sink to build a factory down there.

    I still think Mercedes reputation is way overblown. Let me get this straight, they pay $36 billion in stock for Chrysler because it was such a terrible company? Check out Chrysler's balance sheet and market share prior to the acquisition vs. now. Daimler's management brilliance is blinding.
  • j_j_kiddj_j_kidd Member Posts: 19
    The situation with Mercedes in Alabama would be similar to that of a university offering scholarships to attract students. I have gladly accepted scholarships, never had a student loan, IMO the gov't should pay for university education as is the case in some other countries, but again that is another subject.

    The test for Daimlers management of Chrysler division will come with the y2001 results. The dismal results of Chrysler Division for y2000 was the result of American (dis)management.
  • hal97hal97 Member Posts: 1
    Help!

    As another of many who love the Intrepid but. Our family Christmas gathering revealed 2 Intrepid and a Stratus suffering fro a heavy klunk sound on potholes or bumps. With mine my wife said the mechanics diagnosis said rack and pinion, about $900. to fix.

    Personally I lean toward buying a 2001 Concord or Intrepid and hoping this type problem has been engineered out. Our families vehicle are 96 through 97. My wife leans toward other makes,and is turned off by the higher trunk lip, and lessened visibility to the rear that is apparent when you first get in the cars but not much of a factor as you drive them. Other next car dilemma- wife says her friends would tease her if she drove a Toyota!

    I would hope that the merger problems would get straightened out. Just as Japanese competition was necessary to get domestic mfgs. on track, I feel it would be adverse to domestic quality if Chrysler got squeezed out. Through history they have had many engineering firsts. What a waste if Iacoccas success goes down the drain!
  • fobfob Member Posts: 1
    Same problem with 93 Concorde. Cold weather seemed to amplify the problem. Found fuseable link/wire bad under dash inside the cab. Link felt soft. Chrysler replaced modules until problem was found then refunded me all but the labor on the actual problem fix (about $300).
  • freewayguy1freewayguy1 Member Posts: 7
    We have a 1994 Intrepid with about 110,000 miles on it. A couple a weeks ago when frigid weather struck, the turn signals quit working. However, when the outside temperature warmed up above 20 degrees, the turn signals started working again.

    I was told that the fuse was bad, so I replaced it, but the problem still persists. The problem is very consistent: cold - no turn signals, warm - turn signals work great. Can anyone provide guidance on how to solve this problem? Thanks.
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