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.
2.7
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,803 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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.
For the past 3 or 4 years now I have been having engine related problems with my car. Recently things got worse. My heat will not work unless the car is moving, grayish spoke coming from the exhaust pipe and overheating. I went to a website that was talking about my type of car and the many engine troubles other people are having. The website claimed that I could receive help with getting my car fix due to the many defects with the engines of these cars. The website described everything my car is doing now.
At about 60,000 miles I notice a ticking sound in the engine I took it in to the local Dodge dealership and it was determined to be a lower bearing noise that would ultimately ruin the engines. As the noise got worse I feared driving it anymore. My maintenance contract did not cover engine cost but only affected bearings and this would not be covered by any dealer or manufacture warranty. I subsequently replaced the engine with a used engine which lasted one year and left me stranded beside the road requiring a tow and my vehicle has sat for 2 years with the cost of engine replacement almost doubling. I think an engine recall is in order as I have experienced several; people stopping to ask if the Intrepid is for sale because they have one with a bad engine.
1999 Dodge Intrepid engine seized at only 5600 miles. The dealer said that there is a sludge build up in the engine. The engine needs to be replaced. I was told from at least 10 different auto shops that the 2.7 liter Dodge engine is poorly made and that they have seen this same problem time and time again. It runs way too hot and if you don't change the oil every 1500 miles or so, sludge will build up in the engine and cause seizure. There should be a recall on this 2.7 engine or a class action law suit against Dodge.
- Madison Hts., MI, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- South Boston, VA, USA