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. Read more »
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:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,183 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.
Bearings went bad even with regular maintenance and oil changes. Mileage is long distance mileage. Of all the cars and various makes of cars we have had (other Dodge, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Ford, Honda) we have driven long distance high mileage and and provided regular mintenance and never had to replace a motor. In our research on replacing this motor, we have been told by various mechanics and auto parts stores that the 2.7L motor was known to give problems.
Various sensor problems. Have replaced on several occasions. Motor has been replaced twice, and going on it's third repair. Have yet to replace any power window/door/seat.
2.7 litre V6 engine failure due to fundamental design flaw in engine oil distribution system (according to local engine rebuilders). Local Chrysler mechanics admit there is a problem with this engine, however were unwilling to absorb any repair costs.
We replaced the #6 injector and the fuel pump. Shortly thereafter the car stopped altogether. We had to have it towed to the dealer to have him tell us that it has a broken timing chain and it would probably cost us $5700 to replace the engine. We had it towed home.
In July 2003 my 1999 Dodge Intrepid began ticking on the way to the grocery store when all of a sudden the car quit running and would not start.luckily I was able to coast in to a parking spot and not cause any damage. Had it towed to a local repair shop and was told the timing chain was broke and needed replaced.I contacted the Dodge dealer I purchased the car from and was told there was nothing thay could do even though it only had 30,000 miles on it, the warrenty had expired. I went ahead and had the repair shop I had it towed to fix the car.it is now April 2004 and the timing chain is again bad with 35,000 miles on it.I again contacted the Dodge dealer and Dodge's customer service. The dealership offered no help what so ever but the customer service was willing to maybe help depending on what the dealership found when they tear the motor down for 375.00.after searching on the web about this car I found an unbelievable number of people with the same exact problem. I seem to have gotten lucky and do not have to replace the motor. Yet! to me this seems to be a very critical problem with the 2.7 liter in these cars that poses a serious risk to drivers. I haven't heard form the Dodge customer service rep yet to know what kind of damage to the motor there is this time but I just wanted to be heard in regards to this major engine problem and hope Dodge could take some responsability for making a bad product.
- Parma, OH, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I own a 2000 Dodge Intrepid with a 2.7 L engine. My uncle was a mechanic and taught me the importance of changing oil on a regular schedule. I always followed his instructions religiously with all the cars I have ever owned. My Intrepid has 75,000 miles and the engine needs to be replaced, at an estimated cost of $7800. The engine failed without any warning, except( "a loud noise under the hood"), one morning while my wife was driving to work. I still owe $3000 and cannot afford to buy another car, and pay the remaining balance at the same time. I am only 1 of many, according to my internet research.
While driving 50 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
While driving at 60 mph engine check light came on and stayed on. Vehicle lost power and decelerated to a crawl. Then, vehicle stalled several times before the consumer could get home. Each time the vehicle could be restarted, but would stall again. Dealer refused to inspect the vehicle, claiming the problem was not his.
My 1999 Intrepid died in traffic, not to start again. I had my 3 month old granddaughter with me. I had a very hard time controling the vehicle with no power. Thank god they people around me slowed up and stayed behind me as I tried to get it to the curb.the mechanic said the engine blew at 43,000 miles. Nothin but sludge in it.
While driving at 65 mph engine light flickered. Driver pulled over and popped the hood to check engine and fluid. Driver saw no indication that there was problem. Consumer proceeded to drive when the engine light illuminated and stayed on. Then, engine died, and vehicle was towed. Dealer determined that oil was not flowing fast enough through the engine.
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.
Vehicle stalled without any warning while pulling out of the driveway. The was caused by transmission failure. Also, at 71,000 and while driving at 45 mph vehicle stalled. This was caused by the engine locked. Two days earlier, vehicle overheated. Mechanic inspected the vehicle but found no problem. Told the consumer to add some more anti freeze. When engine locked dealership indicated this was a common problem with these model engines.
We purchased a used 1999 Dodge Intrepid in July 2003. It only had 72,000 miles on it. The previous owners said they hadn't had any problems with the car. I took out a loan against my 401K to purchase the Intrepid because my previous vehicle was getting a lot of miles on it and I needed a reliable vehicle to get me to work. Well now the engine appears to be locked up and I don't even have the money to get it checked out at the dealer. Now I am back to my old reliable 1992 Pontiac Grand Am with over 205,000 miles on it. This Dodge motor should of lasted to at least 150,000 miles. I am very disappointed. I thought they had improved there products since the 80's. boy was I wrong.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Siler City, NC, USA