1987 Dodge Intrepid problems

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The Dodge Intrepid is a full-sized front-wheel drive four-door sedan that was produced by Dodge for the 1993 to 2004 model years. It is related to the Chrysler 300M, Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler LHS, Chrysler New Yorker, and Eagle Vision which were all built on Chrysler's new "cab forward" LH platform.

The Intrepid was sold in Canada as the Chrysler Intrepid. In the United States, it replaced the Dodge Monaco as Dodge's largest passenger car. With Dodge's introduction to Mexico during that time, it was badged as a Dodge, replacing the Dynasty which had been sold there under the Chrysler brand.

Background

The Intrepid's design goes back to 1986, when designer Kevin Verduyn completed the initial exterior design of a new aerodynamic concept sedan called Navajo. The design never passed the clay model stage. It was also at this time that the Chrysler Corporation purchased bankrupt Italian sports car manufacturer Lamborghini. The Navajo's exterior design was reworked and became the Lamborghini Portofino, released as a concept at the 1987 Frankfurt Auto Show. The Portofino was heralded as a design triumph, setting in motion Chrysler's decision to produce a production sedan with the Portofino's revolutionary exterior design, called "cab forward". The cab forward design was characterized by the long, low slung windshield, and relatively short overhangs. The wheels were effectively pushed to the corners of the car, creating a much larger passenger cabin than the contemporaries of the time.

Design of the chassis began in the late 1980s, after Chrysler had bought American Motors Corporation (AMC) in 1987. During this time, Chrysler began designing the replacement for the then-new Dodge Dynasty, which was a mid-size car. Initial proposals bore resemblance to the Dynasty, but this design approach was scrapped entirely in 1988 by François Castaing, the former AMC Vice President of product engineering and development. As AMC was purchased by Chrysler, Castaing became new Vice President for Vehicle Engineering for the new company. The acquiring automaker was in desperate need of replicating the AMC and Renault corporate culture where work was conducted in an atmosphere "of constant change". Castaing organized Chrysler's departments into AMC-style cross-function teams, as well as incorporated the use of simultaneous engineering. Moreover, the new vehicle's design, under Castaing's leadership, began with the Eagle Premier platform.

The Premier's longitudinal engine mounting layout was inherited, as was the front suspension geometry, and parts of the braking system. The chassis itself became a flexible architecture capable of supporting front or rear-wheel drive (designated "LH" and "LX" respectively). The chassis design was continually refined throughout the following years, as it underpinned more Chrysler prototypes: the 1989 Chrysler Millennium and 1990 Eagle Optima.The transmission was inspired by the Premier's Audi and ZF automatics. Borrowing heavily from Chrysler's A604 (41TE) "Ultradrive" transversely mounted automatic, it became the A606 (also known as 42LE).The initial standard 3.3 L pushrod V6 engine was joined in 1990 with a 3.5 L SOHC engine with four valves per cylinder. For the second generation Intrepid R/T the block was recast in aluminum as part of a comprehensive upgrade.

1987 Dodge Intrepid

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Common 1987 Dodge Intrepid problems

The Dodge Intrepid, produced from 1993 to 2004, is known for several common problems that have been reported by owners. These issues include transmission problems, air conditioning issues, and interior finish concerns.

Transmission problems are a significant concern for Dodge Intrepid owners. The transmission in these vehicles is prone to issues such as slipping, jerking, and sudden failure. These problems are often caused by worn-out gears, solenoids, and other transmission components. The transmission issues can be expensive to repair, with some repairs costing thousands of dollars.

Air conditioning issues are also a common problem in Dodge Intrepid vehicles. The air conditioning system in these vehicles is prone to leaking, which can cause the system to lose refrigerant and stop working. The leaks are often caused by worn-out hoses, seals, and other components in the air conditioning system. The cost of repairing air conditioning issues in Dodge Intrepid vehicles can vary widely, depending on the specific problem and the extent of the damage.

Interior finish concerns are another common problem in Dodge Intrepid vehicles. The interior of these vehicles is prone to wear and tear, with issues such as cracked dashboards, broken seats, and worn-out carpeting. These problems can be caused by a variety of factors, including normal wear and tear, poor quality materials, and manufacturing defects. The cost of repairing interior finish concerns in Dodge Intrepid vehicles can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the extent of the damage and the specific repairs needed.

One of the most significant problems with Dodge Intrepid vehicles is the 2.7L V6 engine, which is prone to oil sludge buildup and sludge-related engine failure. This problem is a design defect in the engine and can result in catastrophic engine failure. The cost of repairing this problem can be significant, with some repairs costing thousands of dollars.

In summary, Dodge Intrepid vehicles are known for several common problems, including transmission issues, air conditioning problems, interior finish concerns, and engine failure due to oil sludge buildup. These issues can be expensive to repair and can significantly impact the reliability and longevity of the vehicle.

1987 Dodge Intrepid engine

What was wrong with Dodge Intrepid?

The issue with the Dodge Intrepid is that they are infamous for engine oil sludge, which crops up at around 80,000-100,000 miles. To quote Car Complaints.com "it's only worth the price of the scrap metal it's going to shortly turn into."

Why did they stop making Dodge Intrepid?

Many drivers reported that their Dodge Intrepids were becoming stuck in park. This was also an issue on other Dodge cars, such as the Avenger. Another problem on the Dodge Intrepid, particularly the later models, was oil sludge build-up; this caused engine failure for many drivers.

What was the last year Dodge made the Intrepid?

2004

The Dodge Intrepid was dropped in 2004 after eleven years on the market. In 2006, the rear-wheel drive Charger became Dodges new full-sized sedan.

Is the Dodge Intrepid FWD or RWD?

The Dodge Intrepid is a full-sized front-wheel drive four-door sedan that was produced by Dodge for the 1993 to 2004 model years.

What was wrong with Dodge Intrepid?

The issue with the Dodge Intrepid is that they are infamous for engine oil sludge, which crops up at around 80,000-100,000 miles. To quote Car Complaints.com "it's only worth the price of the scrap metal it's going to shortly turn into."

Why did they stop making Dodge Intrepid?

Many drivers reported that their Dodge Intrepids were becoming stuck in park. This was also an issue on other Dodge cars, such as the Avenger. Another problem on the Dodge Intrepid, particularly the later models, was oil sludge build-up; this caused engine failure for many drivers.

How fast is a Dodge Intrepid?

All right so we did 0 to 60 and 8.23 seconds we did the 0-62 and 8.68 seconds and the 1 8 Mile 10.36 at almost 69 miles per hour sure we could do even better because I did ease into the throttle I

What was the last year Dodge made the Intrepid?

2004

The Dodge Intrepid was dropped in 2004 after eleven years on the market. In 2006, the rear-wheel drive Charger became Dodges new full-sized sedan.

1987 Dodge Intrepid car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Dodge Intrepid problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Fuel system problems
  • Gasoline problems
  • Engine and engine cooling problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1987 Dodge Intrepid vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1987 Dodge Intrepid complaints

The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1987 Dodge Intrepid.

1999-11-30

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-11-29
  • VIN: 2B3HD46F0VH
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: FUEL PUMP FAILED. YH
1999-11-30

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-11-29
  • VIN: 2B3HD46F0VH
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WATER PUMPS FAILED. YH
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1987 Dodge Intrepid problems:

Intake Manifold Gasket Issues | DodgeIntrepid.Net Forums
Intake Manifold Gasket Issues | DodgeIntrepid.Net Forums
https://www.dodgeintrepid.net/threads/intake-manifold-gasket-issues.49064/

Dec 27, 2004 ... Help! I am new to the group- any help will be appreciated! About 2 years ago while my '97 Intrepid 3.5L was still under warranty, the intake ...

2007 Toyota Corolla - rust spots - Maintenance/Repairs - Car Talk ...
2007 Toyota Corolla - rust spots - Maintenance/Repairs - Car Talk ...
https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-toyota-corolla-rust-spots/123743

Aug 26, 2018 ... Not common where I live now but more common in my last state in the ... Dodge Intrepid/Chrysler Sebring have become rare due to costly mechanical ...

Worst Engines Thread! | DodgeIntrepid.Net Forums
Worst Engines Thread! | DodgeIntrepid.Net Forums
https://www.dodgeintrepid.net/threads/worst-engines-thread.76634/

Sep 26, 2006 ... Common problem was punching rods out of the block on one of the rearward cylinders. A friend of mine had the 2.8 in his Camaro and took the ...

'02-04 Special pros/cons and common issues? - Chrysler 300M ...
'02-04 Special pros/cons and common issues? - Chrysler 300M ...
https://www.300mclub.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32281

1987. Year. 2001. Make. Chrysler. Model. 300M ... 1 isn't a common problem. 2, 3 ... Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler LHS, and Eagle ...

LesharoRV • View topic - Transmission problems
LesharoRV • View topic - Transmission problems
http://www.lesharorv.com/viewtopic.php?t=19172&view=unread

Feb 2, 2022 ... The most common are Chrysler Intrepid and Buick 3.8. I have one of each. I have a 1984 with a 95 Intrepid 3.3 and a 1987 with a 1990 Buick ...

Other years of Dodge Intrepid

dodge intrepid 1988 photo
Intrepid 1988
Dodge

2

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
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  • 2
  • 1
dodge intrepid 1992 photo
Intrepid 1992
Dodge

2

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
dodge intrepid 1993 photo
Intrepid 1993
Dodge

488

5

5

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
dodge intrepid 1994 photo
Intrepid 1994
Dodge

848

4

26

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
dodge intrepid 1995 photo
Intrepid 1995
Dodge

736

3

25

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
dodge intrepid 1996 photo
Intrepid 1996
Dodge

580

2

24

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

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1987 Dodge Intrepid photo