CarComplaints.com Notes: The Dodge Intrepid, Stratus & other Chrysler sedans are infamous for oil sludge problems with the 2.7L V6 engine. If someone offers to sell you a 2.7L V6 model, it's only worth the price of the scrap metal it's going to shortly turn into.
NOTE: Only the 2.7L V6 has the oil sludge problem. Our "Avoid like the Plague" designation is ONLY for models with the 2.7L V6 engine. All other available engines are very reliable with no major problems.
Even with regular maintenance, the oil sludge defect eventually destroys the 2.7L engine typically around 80,000-100,000 miles. The only true fix we know about is to put in the larger 3.2L engine, which has a great reputation.
This issue was never deemed a safety defect by the Feds, so there was no recall. In the end, Chrysler got away with FOUR YEARS worth of defective 2.7L V6 engines in their sedans.
6.9
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$320
Average Mileage:
90,500 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
replace a/c heating unit (2 reports)
replaced the resistor in the duct work (2 reports)
The fan speed control has stopped working on all speed now just works on high & only high. So basically you're either blasting yourself with hot air or freezing.
The blower motor RESISTOR has failed because in short the Blower Motor is causing a voltage problem in way or another the Blower Motor is causing the resistor to fail.
THE SOLUTION:
------------------------
The Blower Motor & Resistor are both located under the glove box. The Blower motor needs to be replaced & so does the resistor.
Cost for the resistor somewhere between $25-45. Blower Motor $75-100.
Then factor in labour. There is instructions on how to change the resistor on You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai8d54gC38A & the Blower Motor is in a squirrel cage near it. It is something you can do yourself you just need the time (2 hours prob if you have never done it) +tools because you are in a confined space and the back muscle and flexibility to do it.
I replaced my blower motor + resistor after trying just the resistor twice and it seems to be fine thus far. Going on 1 month or so now.
Except for when the first blower motor i bought had the wires wound inside the motor backwards from the factory causing it to suck air in from the cabin of the car rather than blow it out .....but that's story for another day.
I had a 1999 Jeep Wrangler that had the same problem, a 2001 Durango that I just had the resistor replaced on, and the Intrepid. I don't understand why Dodge/Chrysler let the problem go on for so long.
this problem goes unchecked unless you have an experienced tech to fix it correctly you need to replace the blower motor at the same time you replace the relay you see the motor is causing to much amp draw which burns out the blower resistor so if you don't replace it at the same time the bad blower motor will burn out the new resistor probably with in ten thousand miles or less which get it out of warranty (call dodge customer service if it first happened in warranty they usually will good will the repair) good luck
My fan on my intrepid runs at full speed all the time. I eventually replaced the control module that controls the current to the fan in January of 2008. It is now December of the same year and the fan module has gone again. This is a $500 part and replacing it every year is ridiculous.
- mgallagher,
Hanwell, NB, Canada
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I had to have the A/C & Heating Unit totally replaced twice and repaired once all within twelve months. Twice in 9 years. I couldn't believe I had to keep paying for it. Either the units are pieces of crap or the mechanics need to go back to school. These are mechanics from White Bear Dodge.
Front driver side coil spring may be cracked at the base of the strut mount.Sudden weight shifts when car is in motion may cause coil spring to dislodge minimally and further compromise front suspension.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Same problem just occurred this week! Only runs on high, just like before. I think this should be listed as a defect, not just an annoyance.
- helstad, Tacoma, WA, US