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.
2.4
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,360 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.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. When the ignition was turned off and the key was removed, the gear shifter moved out of the park position on its own. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V021000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Consumer was unable to shift to 3rd gear. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The vehicle has a triptronic shift which allows the driver to drive fully automatic or manually shift with just a touch. When the temperature dropped below twenty degrees the shifter became frozen solid and the consumer was unable to shift out of park until the outside temperature was above freezing. Because of this feature this malfunction the triptronic feature is no longer accessible. The vehicle also has air conditioning problems that limit it's ability to cool the vehicle on days with high humidity.
Purchased in March of 1999: 6/02/99-rear window leak-repaired free of charge, 6/07/01-tires-$211.14 1/24/02-camshaft position sensor-49,550 miles-$170.80, 7/12/02-A/C system blowing warm. Freon&A/C dye-55,771 miles-$71.77, 7/16/02-install new coolant tube, install new air box(A/C/water outlet tube, antifreeze)-55,956 miles-$294.68, 7/18/02-replace engine with new-56,783 miles-$4,396. 7/18/03-rental car and motel charges for engine repair-$125 11/29/02-brake inspection-70,000 miles-$14.03, 4/29/03-window regulator and window(driver window)-62,072 miles-$424.82, 5/02/03-parts for brakes-$163.37(personally installed), 6/13/03-battery replacement-63,772 miles-$145.57, 7/23/03-install sop vacuum hose for PCV, replaced vacuum tube from PCV valve to valve cover-67,753 miles-$65.20, 10/29/03-transmission & starter-approx.70,000 miles-have not had it fixed due to financial difficulties-still at cortese Dodge in henrietta, NY. (quote about $3,400-will not know until they tear the transmission apart) the above are the problems that we have had with this car that we purchased brand new in 99. We still owe the bank approx. $7,000. The approx. Total of repairs(out of our pockets)$9,700. New car cost $22,930.64+$6,420.98(finance charges)=$29,351.62. We did have regular oil changes that we had done professionally and I did it myself.
My husband john and I purchased a 1999 Dodge Intrepid from easy rider auto sales 3980 pine grove ave. Fort gratiot, mi 48059 on April 11, 2003. The mileage on the title at time of sale was 86,554, current mileage is 88,290. I drove the car for a total of 1,736 miles. We also bought the extended warranty policy from the dealer for the car. Guardian warranty company (nadn)1-800-482-7357.ext. 111. We had the car for a total of 25 days when the transmission went out. We took it to who easy rider auto sales said are a good company to do business with...lee's auto & truck repair 810-984-8947. After having the car back for a total of 8 days, I was backing out of my driveway and felt an sudden surge of power, the RPM reading was at 4,000. I was backing out slowly. I then braked and put it into park, watched the RPM gauge and seen it go over 5,000 RPM's in park at an idle. My husband contacted his friend who owns a repair shop and accepts this extended warranty we purchased. B & D auto and truck service in memphis, mi 810-367-8881. They currently have the car. The engine is totaled. B and D called the Chrysler company, who told them to replace the motor because of the damages and they are aware that the 2.7, V-6 engine is trouble. B and D called the nadn company and told them about the engine. I was told that nadn doesn"T like to pay it"S claims. B and D always has to arburtrate over the money for the bill. B and D said to replace this engine would cost $8,600 plus tax. When we bought the extended warranty, we paid for it in full, we didn't argue about it. It is still covered! before we bought the car, lee's auto did an oil change on it. There is a sticker in the windshield that states to have it changed again at 3 months or 3,000 miles. I drove it for 1,736 miles and had it for less than 3 months. Other problems include excessive rpms in idle, the power window in the back passenger side doesn't work, the trip meter doesn't work.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Gassville, AR, USA