2000 Dodge Intrepid Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine failure, with many complaints tied to the 2.7L engine building oil sludge, seizing, or breaking a timing chain, frequently without much warning. Steering and brake complaints also appear, and reports span a wide mileage range from very low odometer readings to well past 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   2.7L engine oil sludge and seizure

   • 678 complaints (64%)
   • median 77,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (573 state mileage)
   • 17 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $4,800 (median of 144 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2012

   Complaints describe knocking or tapping noises, an oil light, loss of power, and the engine shutting off or seizing while driving, sometimes without any warning. Many owners say a mechanic or dealer found heavy sludge in the engine, or that the timing chain broke or slipped; several report the engine was replaced, and some say a second replacement engine failed the same way. Dealers are described as attributing the sludge to maintenance history, which owners often dispute with service records. Reported from very low mileage up to around 160,000 miles, with many reports in the 40,000 to 100,000 mile range and at highway speeds.

   What to check: Ask for oil change records and check the oil and filler neck for sludge or a burnt smell; listen for a knock or rattle at start-up and on a test drive. Ask whether the timing chain or water pump has been replaced and whether the engine has ever been replaced or rebuilt.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have the same old Dodge 2.7l engine complaint. My 2000 Dodge Intrepid with only 90k miles started making noise, than boom... The end of another 2.7l motor. Found it was combo of sludge and timing chain. Our local junk yards won't even take the car because they have to many as it is!!! So I get to stare at my expensive lawn ornament from my door every day.”

   NHTSA complaint #10246387, filed 2008-10, 90 miles

   “I was driving home, stopped at a light, the car hesitated and knocked then went. I drove a little further and it began knocking and loosing power. I was traveling up a hill with no shoulder. Pulled over in a safe location and called for help. I had the car towed to graphs automotive. They informed me the engine blew due to the #4 piston. I towed the car back home.”

   NHTSA complaint #10211414, filed 2007-12, 92,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering clunks, play and rack failures

   • 75 complaints (7%)
   • median 58,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (51 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,350 (median of 17 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2015

   Owners describe clunking noises from the front end, steering that feels loose or has excessive play, and in some cases the wheel binding or locking briefly at low speed, especially when turning left. Complaints mention worn inner tie rod bushings and failed steering racks, with repairs including tie rods and rack and pinion replacement. In one case the steering was described as hard to turn one way after a rack replacement. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 160,000 miles, often noticed at low to medium speeds or during the first minutes of driving.

   What to check: On a test drive, turn the wheel slowly lock to lock and listen for clunks, and check for play or uneven effort; have a shop inspect the tie rods, bushings and steering rack before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2000 Intrepid s engine blew up 2 years ago and again 2days ago there was no warning. Master cylinder is failing and the steering pin broke in the car and left me helpless I ended up in a ditch. I called Dodge and they said they couldn't help because it was out of warranty past 7 years and its only been 2.”

   NHTSA complaint #10455935, filed 2012-04, 150 miles

   “I picked up my car from the dealership after the rack and pinion was replaced and noticed a problem on the way home it was very difficult to turn left and extremely easy to turn right I returned the car to the dealership and they checked it again the rack and pinion is bad and needs to be replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10137245, filed 2005-09, 123,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake drag, warped rotors and weak stopping

   • 48 complaints (5%)
   • median 64,586 mi at 5.8 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $4,700 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2012

   Complaints describe rotors warping again shortly after replacement, brakes that do not slow the vehicle as expected, and a master cylinder reported as failing. One owner described the car accelerating instead of stopping when the pedal was pressed and was told a cruise control cable was broken. Another described the pedal not stopping the vehicle during an overheating and fire incident. Reported across low to high mileage, from under 30,000 miles to beyond 100,000 miles, and in some cases shortly after brake work.

   Recall 00V180000

   What to check: Ask whether the master cylinder or brake components have been serviced, check for pulsation or a dragging feel when braking, and have the brake system inspected, including a check for any open recall work on the master cylinder.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I pulled out of a parking lot and drove about two blocks. My speed was about 20 MPH. There was a red light ahead and I applied my breaks. Instead of stopping, my 2000 Dodge Intrepid sped up. I pushed harder on the break pedal, to no avail. The car sped through the intersection and slammed into another car. I mentioned this to the insurance agent and the car was checked out after it was repaired at the body shop. The Dodge dealer said the cruise control cable was broken as a result of my accident. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10046990, filed 2003-11, 35,000 miles

   “Rotors have warped again after only 4000 miles. Contacted after market manufacturer, and they stated it was a known problem to everyone but the car maker. ******dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*****760826. Jb”

   NHTSA complaint #10008776, filed 2002-04, 24,000 miles

Buying note. This model year draws a large number of engine complaints, so a pre-purchase inspection focused on the engine, oil condition and timing chain is worth the cost, along with a check that open recalls have been completed. Steering and brake condition should also be verified on a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.