NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
785 reportsClear category filter106,000 miles · Feb 3, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON FEBRUARY 2, 2004 CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A CLACKING NOISE - SOUNDED LIKE OIL WAS NOT GETTING INTO THE CRANKCASE. HAD CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY. TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHEN MECHANIC STARTED THE CAR TO DIAGNOSE. DIAGNOSED AS ENGINE SLUDGE PROBLEM - MECHANIC SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE OF ENGINE AT MUCH L…
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ON FEBRUARY 2, 2004 CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A CLACKING NOISE - SOUNDED LIKE OIL WAS NOT GETTING INTO THE CRANKCASE. HAD CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY. TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHEN MECHANIC STARTED THE CAR TO DIAGNOSE. DIAGNOSED AS ENGINE SLUDGE PROBLEM - MECHANIC SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE OF ENGINE AT MUCH LOWER MILEAGES. NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE - APPROXIMATELY $5000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10056460
81,000 miles · Jan 28, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE HAVE A 2000 DODGE INTREPID. THE ENGINE FAILED JUST PAST OUR WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND CHRYSLER CORPORATION BOTH DISMISSED OUR COMPLAINT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL AUTO INDUSTRY WORKERS AND RESEARCHING THIS ENGINE ONLINE, WE HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM…
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WE HAVE A 2000 DODGE INTREPID. THE ENGINE FAILED JUST PAST OUR WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND CHRYSLER CORPORATION BOTH DISMISSED OUR COMPLAINT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL AUTO INDUSTRY WORKERS AND RESEARCHING THIS ENGINE ONLINE, WE HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT HAS PROBABLY AFFECTED THOUSANDS OF INTREPID OWNERS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10055068
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
DODGE INTREPID MOTOR LOCKED UP DUE TO SLUDGE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10055064
145,000 miles · Jan 27, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
OIL SLUDGE IN 2000 DODGE INTREPID WITH 3.2 6 CYL ENGINE. NOTED NOISY VALVE IN LEFT CYLINDER HEAD. DURING INSPECTION OF VALVE TRAIN FOUND ROCKER ARM SHAFT FILLED WITH SLUDGE BLOCKING OIL PASSAGE TO ROCKER ARMS. RIGHT VALVE TRAINED ALSO HAD A LARGE AMOUNT OF SLUDGE IN ROCKER ARM SHAFT. CLEANED SHAFT AND INSPECTED VALVE TRAIN F…
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OIL SLUDGE IN 2000 DODGE INTREPID WITH 3.2 6 CYL ENGINE. NOTED NOISY VALVE IN LEFT CYLINDER HEAD. DURING INSPECTION OF VALVE TRAIN FOUND ROCKER ARM SHAFT FILLED WITH SLUDGE BLOCKING OIL PASSAGE TO ROCKER ARMS. RIGHT VALVE TRAINED ALSO HAD A LARGE AMOUNT OF SLUDGE IN ROCKER ARM SHAFT. CLEANED SHAFT AND INSPECTED VALVE TRAIN FOR EXCESSIVE WEAR. VALVE TRAIN WEAR STILL WITHIN LIMITS AS PRESCRIBED BY CHRYSLER/DODGE. INSPECTED OIL PAN AND NOTED A LARGE AMOUNT OF SLUDGE IN THE PAN. FURTHER INSPECTIONS REVEALED OIL PICK UP TUBE 90% BLOCKED, AND THE OIL PUMP HOUSING SCORED FROM DAMAGED GEAR OUT OF THE FACTORY. REPLACED OIL PUMP ASSEMBLY, PICK UP TUBE, CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS, AND CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS. THIS DEFECT WAS CAUGHT AND CORRECTED BEFORE ANY SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE OCCURRED. HAD IT NOT, RESULT WOULD BE AN ENGINE LOCKED UP DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. THIS CAR IS MAINTAINED REGULARLY, WITH FREQUENT OIL CHANGES, AND HAS HIGHWAY MILEAGE ON IT. DODGE DENIES ANY OIL NITRATION/SLUDGE PROBLEM ON THE 3.2 ENGINE. NOTED SEVERAL REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM FROM SEVERAL OWNERS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10054975
48,000 miles · Jan 22, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM CAUSED ENINGE FAILUER AND MANUFACTURE REFUSES TO HONOR WARRANTY. ONLY HAD CAR FOR 10 MONTHS AND ONLY HAS 48000 MILE ON IT. I PURCASHED THE EXTEND PLUS WARRANTY ALONG WITH THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10054675
69,900 miles · Jan 21, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
ENGINE LOCKED UP, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10055599
66,000 miles · Jan 21, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10055537
19,000 miles · Jan 21, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE MADE A CLICKING NOISE, ENGINE SHUT OFF, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS SLUG IN MOTOR, AND MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10055517
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10055461
66,000 miles · Jan 20, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ENGINE PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE THE MECHANIC FOUND SLUDGE ON THE TIMING CHAIN. THIS CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10055390
Official recalls
7Feb 5, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Aug 2, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES (NON-SUNROOF ONLY) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IF THE OCCUPANT'S HEAD WERE TO CONTACT THE B-PILLAR.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A STORAGE BIN ACCESSORY UNIT THAT CAN BE ATTACHED TO THE B-PILLAR ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, IF AN OWNER WISHES, THE DEALER CAN PERFORM THE INSTALLATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Nov 9, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
Jul 10, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: NON-ABS EQUIPPED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER PISTON RETAINER SNAP RING MAY HAVE BEEN BENT INWARD DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS. THE MASTER CYLINDER PISTON MAY BE IN A "BRAKE APPLIED" POSITION DUE TO THE DAMAGED PISTON RETAINER SNAP RING. WHEN THE PISTON IS IN THE APPLIED POSITION, THE FLUID COMPENSATION PORTS ARE CLOSED WHICH RESULTS IN A BRAKE DRAG CONDITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE BRAKE OVERHEAT, BRAKE FADING COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN NEEDED STOPPING DISTANCE. SHOULD A DRIVER NOT ANTICIPATE THE EXTRA STOPPING DISTANCE, THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.
Feb 4, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE MOLDING FLASH ON THE PRIMARY LEVER MAY PREVENT THE OPERATION OF THE G-LOCK AND TILT LOCK FUNCTIONS ON SOME OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE RETRACTORS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS IN A FRONTAL CRASH SITUATION, DRIVER PROTECTION FROM THE SEAT BELT MAY BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES.
Feb 4, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TURNING LOOP (ATL) TOP MOUNTING BOLT WAS INADEQUATELY MANUFACTURED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE AFFECTED MOUNTING BOLTS MAY NOT WITHSTAND SUFFICIENT FORCE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY IN CERTAIN IMPACT SITUATIONS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A BELTED OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER MOUNTING BOLTS.
Dec 2, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN INCORRECT INFLATOR CHARGE AMOUNT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A PASSENGER OCCUPANT INJURY UNDER CERTAIN ACCIDENT CONDITIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG MODULE WITH A CORRECT MODULE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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