This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I have a 1995 Dodge Intrepid. Until 4 months ago, it never had a problem, only did routine maintenance and that was constantly done. It has a new transmission and radiator (under extended warranty), and new starter, alternator, and battery. The fuel pump was replaced about 2-3 years ago. Four months ago, the car started to act up. First, I noticed a "burnt oil or anti-freeze" smell. I took it to my mechanic, who I have had for more than 15 years. He couldn't find any leaks or problems and reminded me that all the hoses and accessories were replace a year before. He said that he saw nothing dripping or building up anywhere. A week later, I would drive it somewhere, get out and do whatever it was I needed to do, go back and it wouldn't start. Everything sounds normal, like it wants to start, but doesn't. if I wait 30-90 minutes and try again, it will start right up and a check engine light would come on, but go back off within a few minutes. A month later things got worse. It started to die while driving. I would be in the car for less than 10 miles and all the lights on the dash would "flash" and the car would die. It takes between 2-3 hours before getting it to restart when this happens. This puts me in serious danger as the car no longer has power steering or power brakes and I live on a mountain with no where I can get off the road. I have nearly been hit/killed when this has happened. Since then, I can't go 1 mile without it dying or not start again. As a matter-of-fact, if I leave it idling in my driveway, it will die with 2-4 minutes. I have taken it to my shop 4 times and 2 other ones trying to find out what is wrong. They all say that since the "check engine" light only flashes and then goes off, the computer can't catch the problem. Sometimes they think it is the fuel pump or fuel lines; sometimes they think it is electrical; most of the time they just have no idea what is wrong!
Consumer complained about an engine problem. Vehicle had only 54,000 miles on it and it needed a complete engine replacement due to excessive motor sludge which was causing the vehicle to shut down. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, who was not willing to do anything about it.
Some time ago (2-3 months) my 1995 Intrepid became almost impossible to start, on several occassions. Lately, the engine has quit while I was driving. The last time this happened (yesterday), I was on the highway at 70 mph.
Car stalls on left hand turns, in reverse. Cruise control engages by it self at will. Gets stuck in fourth gear. Have replaced power train control module and cam sensor. Mechanic said computer no longer puts out error codes. Paid 1000. So far and mechanic still has no idea what's wrong with it.
Rocker arm and rocker arm support failure on 26 Sept '03 while driving to work my 1995 Intrepid (3.3 liter) began making a "ticking" or "clacking" noise. Aftter discussion at work, the noise was diagnosed as a missing cylinder, the ignition systems should be looked at. I brought it home and replaced the plugs and wires and checked the spark. All normal, still the clacking noise. After dropping the car at my neighborhood mechanic who pulled the valve cover and notified me that the tower supporting the aft end of the drivers side rocker arm axis had sheared off and that the lifting rod and rocker arm were damaged beyond repair. Requiring replacement of the head and ancillary components. Further the mechanic said this was a common problem with Dodge 3.3 motors and that there should be a recall. I also contacted several people who have or have owned the same car (1995 Intrepid) and at least two reported the same problem at a smilar milage.
- Kennesaw, GA, USA
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Consumer states while driving on los angeles freeway at 55 mph and with no warning vehicle got shut off, causing consumer to pull off the road. Dealer and independent shop could not duplicate or correct problem.
Vehicle seemed to be maintained well and in good condition. After purchasing vehicle and normal driving started experiencing buring rubber smell from engine. Problem was oil leaking from valve cover gaskets onto engine. Had valve cover gaskets replaced. Smelt burning rubber smell again, bad gasket for oil filler cap too. Replaced, problem corrected. Car would sometimes perform well with good acceleration, sometimes transmission would not seem to downshift, accelerator pedal would be to floor and vehicle would barely move. Would happen unexpectedly, extremely dangerous when entering freeway, passing or merging. Vehicle would sometimes shift rough, then sometimes would shift quickly and smoothly. Fluid ok mopar. Took vehicle to five star service center, had technician drive vehicle, I drove vehicle and clearly duplicated problem. I had the pedal to the floor and vehicle would only accelerate very very slowly, technician stated this was normal because vehicle is in 3rd gear. Sometimes vehicle would even downshift and had great acceleration as fast as 50mph and then sometimes would not downshift or barely move at speeds as slow as 35mph. It is not normal to have the accelerator pedal to the floor with a 170hp vehicle with the vehicle barely accelerating or extremely poor response. I beleive that these Chrysler transmissions or their control modules have serious issues. Well I tried to use the vehicle anyway, it seemed to work ok otherwise. While driving with friends smelt bad sharp odor almost like urine. Could not find source of this. Found out transmission leaking transmission cooling lines were cause of odor. Transmission started making clu-clunking noise and front end would lift up excessively like a 727. Found out transmission mounts were broken and front pump seal was also leaking. Service would have cost $2,000. Traded vehicle in, lost thousands of dollars. Independent mechanic stated that pump seal and transmission in a car should last at least 125,000 miles.
Smoke/steam was coming from underneath vehicle after normal operation. Dealership informed consumer that water pump was leaking coolant onto exhaust system. Dealership replaced water pump due to this defect, as well as timing belt, which was saturated with coolant. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Consumer driving down highway when slowed noise came from front of car and then totally stopped running, had car towed.upon investigation consumer found that the bolts that holds the tensioner in place were sheared off, tensioner missing.
Engine head gasket allowed coolant to leak down to a level that the $1200/each heads warped. Tie rod bushings have been replaced three times so far (once by the dealer and they failed within 10K miles and barrett Dodge would not replace) and now the left bushing needs replacing again. If you travel a certain speed and make a turn the wheel shakes violently and you have to come to a complete stop to be able to make it stop.
Transmission: Metal shavings was found in the transmission gear. This made it difficult to shift transmission into a gear. Also, engine lifters went out & had to be reinstalled; and carbon had built up in the engine. Causing it to stall whenever vehicle accelerated from a stopped position.
While driving at any rate of speed engine will completely shut down without warning, cause unknown. Dealer replaced camshaft which did not correct the problem.
Needs a new water pump, valve assembly both sides, new head left side, #2 cyl. Leaking, shouldn't have this trouble on a low milage car that is well maintained.
When vehicle is starting off to drive or when sitting still, it shakes and vibrates excessively. Dealer contacted and is aware of problem. Repairwork done and problem still exists. Also, intake manifold and engine gaskets appear to be leaking. Provide further information.
Timing belt tensioner pulley failed to rotate due to bearing failure, sheared off pulley mounting bolt which dropped into crankshaft, causing damage to crankshaft.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Magalia, CA, USA