I bought this car from an estate sale in January 2009. It was an LXi so it had leather, sunroof, etc. I loved it because it was such a large vehicle, and being so tall, it was definitely a size upgrade from my first car. Standing at 6'3", I could easily fit in the backseat. I drove this car all the way to April 2010. I noticed during idling, especially once I got off the interstate, that the oil light would flicker. Because it just flickered, I suspected it was just due to me idling. A couple weeks later, I decided to "be a teenage guy" and floor it off the line at a stoplight. The engine revved really high but didn't shift at the normal time. Immediately after, the oil light came on and stayed on, even when I'd push the gas. Before I made it even a quarter mile (I was trying to baby it into my work's parking lot so I could add some oil) it shut down on me. It refused to start, so I was forced to leave it in a turning lane (As there was a curb to prevent me from pushing it off the road) I added 2 quarts of oil and it didn't start until about 20-30 mins later. It sounded rough but we got it home. My mechanic is also my neighbor, and upon his street inspection, he could tell it was really messed up. He took it in the next day and found that the whole lower half of the engine would have to be rebuilt. So then I purchased a newer engine (from a junked 2000 Concorde, same size engine) and also had the oil pump replaced and a few other things. After that (a complete other long story) I finally got it back and had to take it along for a trip to Wisconsin. Midway there, the engine lost power with no warning lights or anything, and then seized on the side of the interstate. Got it towed back home and finally junked it (after another long story with the junkyard). I now tell everyone I see driving one to get rid of it as soon as they can. I loved that car a lot, but when it went, my love for it did too.
Well, looks like I've joined (or will soon join) a nonexclusive club. Wish it were possible to decline. My daughter bought the 99 Concorde with 2.7L engine at a very reasonable price. Past history indicates a rental car. Car was nice!!! Fuel prices convinced her to trade for my 2002 Cavalier because it was easier on the wallet. Returning from Cleveland after Christmas on 480-- and then it happened! Oil pressure light flickering -damn it!! Oil level OK. Could maintain pressure at ~ 65mph, any less and light is lit.
Made it to Alliance very late at night.
Next morning all is well, pressure seems ok. Got a quick oil change and filter (petroleum not synthetic). Low oil pressure is lit again. Repeat circumstances for another day, ok when cold and low pressure after running for a short time. OK must be pressure switch or wiring right??? Maybe pump or pick-up tube???
Then I find this site,,,,,,,s%&t!!! Now I'm convinced it's sludge.
I have one question, if sludge is preventing oil from draining to sump-- how come oil level is correct immediately after shutting engine down while low pressure light is lit???
Bought the car from an individual who had all service records, excellent condition, approx. 36,000 miles. Car was sold due to death in the family. After about one year the oil light kept flickering. We took the car to a mechanic who put it on the diagnostic equipment and it showed everything was fine. Mechanic said it must be a sensor or elec. problem. One year later I sold the car to my daughter who is a single Mom because her car broke down and was not worth fixing. I had the oil changed just 2 months before she got the car in February. Yesterday she noticed a terrible noise. and the car was out of oil. Their was no service engine light coming on just the same old flickering oil light. No smoking, nothing! Just suddenly no oil in the engine. NO leaks anywhere! She doesn't have any money for another car or repairs! I will never buy another Chrylsler! I was a little upset with my daughter at first thinking she should have noticed something, but after seeing this web site I just feel bad that I sold her a piece of crap car and am MAD AS HECK at Chrysler. We should consider a class action law suit! How about you lawyers out there? Any of you Chrysler owners who would like to help?
- Donna R.,
Kiefer, OK, US
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This car was bought by my father about 1 month before the engine seized up on him. The car's previous owners were an older couple who had taken very good care of the car and kept excellent maintenance records. Unfortunately, while trying to resolve this, my father passed away, and I am now trying to get it repaired. I have read about the engine in this car having problems all over the internet, but I have yet to be able to speak to someone at Chrysler who can resolve this problem. They know this motor has a problem...well EVERYBODY knows this car has a problem, but they aren't too concerned with trying to resolve the problem. They know this should be taken care of by them, but I'm waiting to see if that's going to happen. I hope they surprise me and take care of it, but it doesn't look very promising right now, and it makes me really mad that they have all of these complaints and won't make it a recall and/or fix it!
this car is apiece of crape 3,000 miles over warranty' Chrysler corp. are the worst people to talk to will not pay a penny they say we didn't maintain the vehicle un true have all records it's sitting in my garage so everyday i can cry over this piece of sh*t that we are still paying for so we will take any help we can to get them jurks at chrysler to fix there problem with that 2.7 liter engine
No reason to add anymore, everyone else has pretty much summed it up. Oil sludge caused engine to go, mechanic said I should of changed the oil more frequently. Problem is ive changed it at 3k since ive owned it. Never again will I be purchasing a Chrysler vehicle. Oh and as most of you probably already know this, but pray that you don't have to do any major work on the vehicle yourself. I'm now changing the starter and it is nearly impossible to get to.
Chrysler, Chrysler, Chrysler, what have you done. It seems this problem has effected many and yet absolutely nothing has been done to correct it. An engine should not fail when it has had an excellent service record and has reasonably low miles (considering today's autos). As a company you should be embarrassed to have placed your name on such a piece of crap. You have lost a customer for life and hopefully anyone who reads this or that I talk to will never buy from you either.
I bought the car new in 1999. I continued bringing it to the dealer in 2006 for everything. I reported the Check Engine light being on repeatedly to the dealer, but they never recorded the complaint in their computer. They would tell me that it must be the light, or that they reset the computer and the light went off. When it continued to happen I brought it to another service station and found out the piston rings are worn and engine needs replacement. 90,000 miles and burns about a quart of oil every 200 miles. I faithfully had oil changed every 3 months. -- I'll never buy another Chrysler product.
1999 Chrysler Concorde 2.7 engine. Driving back from Toledo Ohio to Canton Ohio and the engine just quit.
Had the car towed to Norwalk Chrysler Jeep Hyundai dealership. This morning informed that timing chain broke and destroyed the engine.
Quoted about $6000 to replace engine.
A dealership tech even told us that he knew this was an ongoing common problem with this engine.
I called Chrysler today and they informed that since the car was out of warranty and since I wasn't the original owner they had no way of validating the engine maintenance. I was also informed that after some brief research on the customer service reps part that Chrysler has no records of any problem reports of this type of failure.
After some research today I find out that there are multiple websites related to this type of failure and that it seems that Chrysler is accepting no responsibility.
No decent car manufacturer would let a problem like this timing chain tensioner and oil sludge problem go on without telling (warning) their customers. This car has had one systemic failure after another. From recalls that are quite trivial (as far as cost to Chrysler) to front engine seals, engine fan failures (both of them), primary timing chain tensioner failure and engine sludge problems. I will not purchase nor think of buying ANY Daimler/Chrysler product ever again. I almost forgot about the transmission sensors that go out and leave you sitting on the side of the road wondering who you'll get home.
Add me to the list of 2.7L engine failures. My '99 Concorde just died. Unbelievable how many people are affected by this poorly designed engine, and like most of them, this is a real financial hardship now.
I can prove engine has had ALL 3-4,000 mile oil changes since new. I have pictures of the sludge buildup on the old engine. It started with a pinging/knocking noise that I thought was cheap gas. It wasn't - before engine blew, I took it to our trusted mechanic. He said, either replace engine now, or it could fail suddenly on the highway. We replaced it before catastrophic failure, but the sludge is very evident throughout the block.
Just like hundreds of others I've found on the Internet today, our low mileage, well-maintained Concorde with a 2.7L engine experienced irreparable engine failure due to a build up of oil sludge and bearing materials in the oil filter... even though it was within Chrysler's guidelines for maintenance. Was told by Chrysler customer service, it must have been our fault... and they know nothing about problems with the 2.7L engine. Amazing though, I found literally hundreds of stories on sites through the Internet recounting exactly our same experience. I can't believe no on but me shared their horror stories with the company. And, lo and behold, I also found several class action suits currently underway on these cars. Someone should really tell Chrysler about it. They have a right to know how they are scamming the car buying public... and that we're just not going to take it any more. This is absolutely criminal!!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I bought this car from an estate sale in January 2009. It was an LXi so it had leather, sunroof, etc. I loved it because it was such a large vehicle, and being so tall, it was definitely a size upgrade from my first car. Standing at 6'3", I could easily fit in the backseat. I drove this car all the way to April 2010. I noticed during idling, especially once I got off the interstate, that the oil light would flicker. Because it just flickered, I suspected it was just due to me idling. A couple weeks later, I decided to "be a teenage guy" and floor it off the line at a stoplight. The engine revved really high but didn't shift at the normal time. Immediately after, the oil light came on and stayed on, even when I'd push the gas. Before I made it even a quarter mile (I was trying to baby it into my work's parking lot so I could add some oil) it shut down on me. It refused to start, so I was forced to leave it in a turning lane (As there was a curb to prevent me from pushing it off the road) I added 2 quarts of oil and it didn't start until about 20-30 mins later. It sounded rough but we got it home. My mechanic is also my neighbor, and upon his street inspection, he could tell it was really messed up. He took it in the next day and found that the whole lower half of the engine would have to be rebuilt. So then I purchased a newer engine (from a junked 2000 Concorde, same size engine) and also had the oil pump replaced and a few other things. After that (a complete other long story) I finally got it back and had to take it along for a trip to Wisconsin. Midway there, the engine lost power with no warning lights or anything, and then seized on the side of the interstate. Got it towed back home and finally junked it (after another long story with the junkyard). I now tell everyone I see driving one to get rid of it as soon as they can. I loved that car a lot, but when it went, my love for it did too.
- Cole R., Waxhaw, NC, US