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.
8.2
pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,320 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.
Consumer placed the key inside of the ignition and vehicle would not turn on. Consumer had vehicle towed to the dealer for analysis, and mechanic replaced the battery.
Our car failed to start normally. This is the second time our car would turn over and over and would not start. I noticed this time all of the gauges and dashboard light weren't working either. After a number of hours, we tried on and off many times, the engine finally started to sputter and eventually started.
After consumer put keys in the ignition, it wouldn't turn. Consumer has to wiggle keys for 20-30 minutes before it turns. The dealership cannot located the cause of the problem.
On three separate occasions I've had the same problem. The first time I was driving with my brother and cousin when the car just started to shake and just stalled out I had know steering, or brakes. It was a very scary situation. The next time I was driving home from work it was only about 4 months from the first time this happened when I was making a turn and the car had no steerin or brakes I thank god there were no cars or someone could have gotten hurt. I had to drive the car into a bush to stop it. This time I was leaving the drive thru and the car fail me once again. No brakes, steering or even the gas pedal worked. Please help me I don't have the funds to repair the car, personnally I don.T want this car I'm so afraid of driving it. I afraid for myself and the other people on the road. Does someone need to get hurt before someone just takes this car and dumb it. Like I said I'm very afraid to drive this car because the problem keeps coming back. Whether if my younger brother, , or mother was driving the car I did not experience the problem as I have in the past something seriouly could of happened to them. What would the company have done then. So please help me. Thank you in advance joe suarez.
Consumer had problems getting vehicle to start after it had sat a day. It has been back and forth to dealer. Dianostic machine didn't show a reading for problem. Dealer has jumped vehicle changed battery and cables. Both dealer and manufacturer were doing nothing to rectify problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mobile, AL, USA