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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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.
Driver power window motor failed twice, now the window has to be held in place for it to roll up straight and go into place. Also, plastic on driver door under black 'speaker' cracked with no impact. Passenger rear door entire interior door assembly has separated from the metal and has to be 'popped' back in repeatedly. Air conditioner system fails yearly. Multiple reasons. Trunk leaks terribly. Rear air/heat vents don't blow air anymore and the car isn't even 4 years old!
The front power windows fell down without using the controls. There were fuse/wiring shortages, headlight/interior light flickered without warning, the belts, main power train, A/C belt, and the compressor caught fire and the power steering had become inoperative. The doors did not close properly.
Rear passenger's side power window is dead and has failed. When electronic cooling fans for engine turn on automatically as they should during certain engine temperatures front headlights noticeably dim almost looking like they are being flashed for a second or what someone could interoperate as the driver flashing his lights. Headlights also seem to dim slightly when rolling down two windows at the same time. I purchased a professional battery and alternator tester has shown that the vehicles battery and alternator are working as normal. This makes me wonder about the vehicle's electrical system.
I have noticed upon turning the engine off, when you exit the vehicle and touch the door with your hand or leg comes in contact with lower door frame you get an electrical shock. The driver's side door continues to push the window into the rubber gromet after it has already reached the top, causing the window motor to grind and the window to overextend into the rubber gromet. Both problems were noticed shortly after receipt of the car and have been an ongoing problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Barnett, MO, USA