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:
61,064 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. The contact heard an abnormal noise and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and was pushed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notfied of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 120,785.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated that while traveling 35 mph, the vehicle completely stalled without warning. The contact then merged to the side of the road. After allowing the vehicle to sit for a day, the vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic nor was it repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 163,900 and the current mileage was 164,000.
Driving 30 mph at approximately 6:30 pm and the car just died in rush hour traffic had to push to a side street and it would not restart, after researching I have found this is common to this model and so far have found no solutions but it is very dangerous as you loose your power steering and brakes this issue needs to be addressed by Dodge as other reports have been reported on the freeway at higher speeds. The reports I have read thus far have found no fix for this problem and is very expensive to find as you just guess at which part to change or where to look, we need help.
Purchased vehicle 01/30/12, test drove, checked fluids, made sure everything was working fine. Seller said he just had oil change and smog 1 month prior, he provided me documents confirming. Had no issues with vehicle, until about 03/20/12, the oil light came on, which was odd. I checked the oil, found it was completely empty, put 2 quarts in immediately, light went off. I started checking driveway daily for signs of oil leaking even though the car drove fine.03/28/12, car stalled, went completely dead, as I exited freeway, leaving myself and my 3yr. Old stuck in lane on off ramp for about 30 minutes.a passerby attempted to jump it, that didn't work, car had no power at all, we pushed it to a safer spot. I walked 2 blocks home. Came back next day, jumped it, it started but now there was a knocking sound coming from engine and oil light was back on. I checked the oil it read full, I drove car home it stalled 3 times in the 2 blocks home. Knocking sound continued I parked the car. The next day I took the car to my mechanic the oil light was still on the engine was still knocking. He checked oil again and confirmed the car did have oil, and detected no signs of leaking. He ran a diagnostic on engine, it detected no issues, he ran it again, and the results where the same. He drove the car, me in the passengers seat so he could get a hear the knocking sound when car was moving.backed out of lot driving about 10 to 12 mph, we got maybe half a block and the car went dead. He was able to guide car to side of road, when he pressed the brake to put the car in park, there was a barely audible bursting sound.we got out and found a thick black muddy type substance gushing out of the bottom from the front end, leaving a puddle the length and width of car. He immediately identified it as oil sludge, and said my engine had blown. We discussed my options and ultimately I had to have the car towed home it hasn't started.
- Fresno, CA, USA
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I purchased a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. I have complete service records for the vehicle showing that on avg. The oil was changed every 3000 to 3600 miles. When driving at night during one of the snowfalls, the engine started to putter and eventually fail. I have my receipts showing that the oil was changed just three weeks prior and there was no warning of any issues. I had thee car taken to the dealer by tow the next morning to only be told a few days later that it is going to cost me $6400 to have it repaired?
I own a 1999 Dodge Intrepid ES and while driving, the car just quits and I have to coast to a safe area off the road. The engine just kills. Once stopped, I try starting the engine. It just turns over and won't start. After waiting about 3 to 5 minute, it will start up as if no problem. Mechanic can not diagnose the issue through computer, because it won't store the fault code. It happens on a monthly basis, approximately. I have replaced cam sensor, crank sensor, timing belts, and no fix. It's almost as if there is a bad ground to a electrical sensor or exposed wire. Plugs and wires were replaced, but no solution. I'm just looking for someone who has eventually solved this issue. The car isn't that bad, replaced a lot of electrical sensor components, but would just like to solve this problem permanently. Any advice or solutions are more than welcome please. It's somewhat nerve racking to drive, not knowing when the next problem will occur. Please help.
: the contact stated while the vehicle was in gear, the vehicle shut off. On three different occasions, the steering rack bolts came out for the steering wheel. The fuses have blown five times and the brake and interior lights are not working.
: the contact stated there are several problems with the vehicle. The first problem is an intermittent failure of the interior lights. The dealer replaced a computer chip and this remedied the problem for a short time. The vehicle occasionally failed to start. The battery was replaced and appeared to remedy the problem. However, there were rust and white spots in the driveway underneath the vehicle where the battery is located. Shortly after christmas all the interior lights dimmed and the vehicle lost all power while driving 45mph at night, but normal operation resumed when the vehicle was restarted after several hours. The vehicle has been seen by the dealer several times, but the dealer has never been successful in identifying the underlying electrical problem. Lastly, the contact took the vehicle in for an oil change at the local dealer. During the oil change the oil plug was damaged causing a slow leak. The dealer made three attempts at repair, but oil continues to leak from both the top of the engine and underneath. The vehicle received regular service through the local dealer exclusively.
The car has had A/C problems. Electrical problems. Window problems. Transmission problems. And the 2.7 motor has been out of service since 2003! I need help. I still owe $8000 plus on this thing and I have not been able to use it since the fall of 2003. Thank you.
Consumer discovered that she could not unlock the back passenger door, and husband would have to open rear right side door from inside for anybody to get inside. The vehicle had 35,000 miles on it. Took vehicle to dealer for repairs, and dealer replaced latch activator for $257, and diagnosed this a circulatory electrical problem. This happened again to front passenger door. Spoke with Chrysler, who asked for an estimate, but did not reimburse consumer for this work. Took vehicle to dealer and again replaced latch activator with diagnosis of the same problem. This happened at 39,000. Owner's son has Chrysler vehicle as well and has experienced the same problem.
While driving 40 mph driver noticed that the SRS light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the SRS sensor needed to be replaced. Updated 12/7/2005. The air bag light is still on and the mileage had disappeared.
My 1999 Dodge Intrepid is shutting down while driving. The dealer is unable to remedy the situation after fooling around it for more than a week. This engine starts back up immediately after the engine cut.
While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer was able to restart the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that computer and engine needed to be replaced.
While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer was unable to restart vehicle, and had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic informed consumer that the problem could not be duplicated.
While driving at highway speed, the vehicle unexpectedly shut off. The consumer had to coast down the ramp to a safe stop. The engine was rebuilt. The engine experienced oil sludge. The driver side window need to be fixed because it was off track, the fan in the radiator had gone out, the sensors had gone out, the inside lights did not work, the alarm did not work, and the door lights did not work. The transmission had problems has well.
This is a 1999 Dodge Intrepid, that I have had plenty of problems out of. This was purchased at 29,569 miles, 10/99. Jan 2000 the inner sensor went out, replaced by dealer under warranty. July 2000 the outer sensor went out, replaced by dealer not under warranty per milage at time. Aug 2000 the passenger fan went out, replaced by dealer at a cost of $500. Sense then replaced brakes often, burn lots of oil and plenty of hesitation from the transmission. But my other biggest problem is the window motor, that has gone out in the passenger window twice and now the driver window has completely fail apart. You here nothing but noise when closing the door, cannot let the window up and down without its sounding like its going to break from popping like its getting caught on something. Most of the time you have to pull it up by hand in order to get it to close completely. Has their been a recall on this item?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Columbus, OH, USA