2004 Dodge Intrepid Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the 2.7L V6 losing oil pressure and seizing, often with sludge found in the pan or on the dipstick, and about repeated overheating that leads to engine replacement. Reports cluster in the 70,000-110,000 mile range, with a smaller group of steering complaints describing looseness or excessive play in the wheel.

1. 1
   Engine

   2.7L V6 oil sludge and engine seizure

   • 56 complaints (43%)
   • median 73,750 mi at 4.0 yrs old (46 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $4,000 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2015

   Complaints describe the oil light coming on at idle or the engine stalling and knocking, followed by a shop finding thick sludge in the oil pan or on the dipstick and declaring the engine unusable. Several owners say they had oil changes on record and that dealers attributed the sludge to missed maintenance, so warranty or cost assistance was refused. Others report the engine locking up after a stall or shutting off at speed, with replacement quoted at several thousand dollars. Most reports fall between roughly 37,000 and 140,000 miles, with many in the 50,000-105,000 mile band.

   What to check: Ask for oil change receipts and pull the dipstick to look for sludge or a burnt smell; a pre-purchase inspection that checks oil pressure is worth the cost. Listen for a knock at idle and note whether the oil light comes on when warm.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Water pump and timing chain needed to be replaced, when mechanic took the car apart, the engine was full of oil sludge. He said the engine was dead. The car is a 2004 Intrepid with just over 72000 miles. I am voluntarily reopening the car back to chrysler. I still owe around 3800.”

   NHTSA complaint #10297797, filed 2010-01, 72,000 miles

   “The 2.7 liter engine in my 2004 Dodge Intrepid had to be replaced due to bearing failure and a thrown rod. I bought this vehicle as a program car with less than 12000 miles and the original manufacturers warranty was in effect. I do not have a warranty complaint since my vehicle was no longer under warranty. I do feel that my engine failure was due to the sludge problem that seems to be prevalent in the chrysler 2.7 liter motors.”

   NHTSA complaint #10228693, filed 2008-05, 90,744 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Overheating and coolant loss

   • 17 complaints (13%)
   • median 107,389 mi at 7.8 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2019

   Owners describe the temperature gauge climbing, boiling or gushing noises from under the hood, steam, and coolant pouring out or disappearing without a visible reading. Some say thermostats, water pumps and sensors were replaced but the car still ran hot, and others report the water outlet box or a hose failing and leaving them stranded. Complaints also mention coolant mixing into the oil and warped heads after an overheat event. Reports cluster from about 67,000 to 162,000 miles, and several describe the failure happening while driving at highway speed.

   What to check: Check the coolant level and condition when cold and look for residue or staining around the water outlet and hoses. Ask whether the water pump and thermostat have been replaced and whether the car has ever overheated.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving home from work in my 2004 Dodge Intrepid when I heard a strange gushing noise from under the hood. The gauges in the car read that everything was fine, car was not overheating, etc... Approximately 1 to 2 miles later the car stopped running. I coasted over to the side of the road and called my husband. He and my son in law came and we pulled the car back to the house. Upon inspection of the engine, there was water in the oil when we pulled the dipstick. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10355304, filed 2010-09, 120,000 miles

   “I bought this car from a dealership a year ago, and kept up with maintenance. Two days after purchasing the car the engine died and I had to have it towed back to the dealership, the mechanic there told me that there were burnt wires in the engine that had to be replaced. A month later, there was a leak in the coolant system, so I had it taken to a mechanic who replaced the entire coolant system, put in a new radiator because there was a small crack, as well as installed a brand new battery. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10485805, filed 2012-11, 100,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Stalling and no-start with cam or crank sensor faults

   • 31 complaints (24%)
   • median 71,750 mi at 3.4 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $857 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2014

   Owners report the engine cutting out while driving or refusing to start, with the check engine light on or off, and dealers replacing camshaft or crankshaft position sensors. Some say the stall or hesitation returned after a sensor replacement, and others describe the oil light coming on at idle afterward. Reported from about 13,500 to 85,000 miles, sometimes in cold weather or at startup.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether cam or crank sensors have been replaced and scan for stored or pending codes before buying; note any hesitation or stalling at start-up when cold.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “With no warning my car cut off in middle of road. Was able to start it and get to parking lot but it was sputtering. Dealer replaced the cam shaft position censor ($400) now my oil light comes on while at an idle even though there is plenty of oil. I have been told it is probably the oil pressure sending unit but not sure yet.”

   NHTSA complaint #10222636, filed 2008-03, 71,000 miles

   “While driving home from work on 10/11/04, my Dodge intrepids engine just shut off and all power went off. The engine light went on and I pulled over to the side of the road. After about 5 minutes of trying to get it going again, it restarted. This happened three more times, in a period of about an hour, over 30 miles. The following morning, I took it in to moss brothers motors and rented a car (they have no service vehicals). Two hours later, moss calls that the car is ready, I was told it was a computer service problem . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10095822, filed 2004-10, 17,939 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering looseness and excessive play

   • 5 complaints (4%)
   • median 77,926 mi at 5.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2007–2011

   Complaints describe the steering wheel going loose or drifty, excessive play before the car responds, and a clunk when the wheel is rocked back and forth. Owners report inner tie rod bushings or a loose steering column as the suspected source, and some say a dealer could not identify the cause. Reported from roughly 59,000 to 142,000 miles, with most examples in the 70,000-105,000 mile range.

   What to check: With the car parked, rock the steering wheel slightly and feel for free play; have the tie rods, bushings and column checked during an inspection.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After purchasing the 2004 Dodge Intrepid, my grand daughter noticed that there is excessive play in the steering wheel. I went to the internet and found that this a very common problem with a Dodge Intrepid from 1997 though 2004.”

   NHTSA complaint #10263087, filed 2009-03, 77,157 miles

   “I first noticed that the steering wheel was a bit off center and it has since gotten to the point that there is excessive play in the wheel and the vehicle is very difficult to control. The steering also makes a clunk noise when the wheel is turned back and forth. After doing some research and inspecting the steering system I found that the inner tie rod bushings are almost gone. This is an extremely dangerous design flaw and had it continued the bolts may have sheared and resulted in a total loss of steering. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10203157, filed 2007-09, 59,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission will not shift or quits

   • 8 complaints (6%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2012

   Complaints describe the transmission failing to move from second to third gear so the car cannot reach highway speed, or the transmission giving out entirely at moderate mileage. In one report the shift interlock was blamed after the car rolled away while parked, and the manufacturer said the vehicle was not covered by a recall. Reported between roughly 38,000 and 140,000 miles, with transmission failures often near 70,000-80,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test-drive through all gears including a highway merge, check the fluid level and color, and ask whether the transmission or shift interlock has been serviced or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “- the contact's 2004 Dodge Intrepid would not shift from second gear to third gear while driving at 35 MPH, leaving her unable to accelerate to highway speeds. The transmission was replaced shortly after, she took the vehicle in for service and they told her that the engine need to be replace as well, at a cost of $5000.00. The contact was also complaining about a strong smell gas fumes in the passenger compartment. When she drove the vehicle the fumes were so strong that the windows had to be open at all times. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10179090, filed 2007-01, 38,000 miles

   “Dt: the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park it began to roll down hill while attempting to exit the vehicle. The consumer tried to get back into the vehicle but could not act quickly enough to prevent the vehicle from causing damage to itself and another vehicle. There was a recall on the trans axle floor shifter for other chrysler products, but not this make, model, and year. The consumer contacted the service dealer, and they stated that there was no recall on this vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10136188, filed 2005-09, 19,000 miles

Buying note. Most reports for this model year center on the 2.7L V6 - oil sludge, oil pressure loss and overheating - so a maintenance history and an inspection that checks oil pressure and coolant condition matter more here than cosmetics. With mileage likely above 70,000 on surviving cars, budget for cooling and engine work and factor it into the price.

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.