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:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,048 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.

1999 Dodge Intrepid engine problems

engine problem

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1999 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments (Page 12 of 19)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #159

Aug 152004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 1999 Dodge Intrepid with the 2.7 liter engine. The engine was replaced under warranty at 12,000 miles and 36,000 miles. It has been maintained regularly and oil changed every 3000 miles. The enigne has now gone out again. I have read all of the horror stories from people with the same problem that I have. I now have a car that I am still paying for that is totally useless to me and Chrysler is unwilling to do anything for me. The problems with these are clearly a design flaw and should be corrected at the expense of the manufacturer.

- Russellville, AR, USA

problem #158

Jul 052004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60 miles
Our 1999 Dodge Intrepid suddenly experienced engine failure while traveling on an interstate highway in July 2004 at 60mph. Our car has just over 65.000 miles. Our car was towed to the dealership and determined to have failed due to sludge build-up in the engine. Our car was well cared for and the oil and filters chagned every 3000 miles (or less). The estimated repair was +$7500 to replace the engine, as the original was not salvagable. We recently received a recall notice from Dodge regarding a transmission recall, but can't have the repair performed because the car isn't driveable. Luckily my husband was able to safely maneuver the car to the shoulder of the highway without injury or damage.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #157

Nov 152003

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles
I have had to replace the timing chain on the engine at 55310 miles for a cost of $2,372.28. Now the oil light is on and I have a knocking in the engine do to oil sludge. I have had two mechanics tell me that the engine needs to be either replaced with a used engine(which will result in the same problem at a cost of $3,000) replace the engine with a jasper engine (supposedly has engine engineering problem resolved at a cost of $6,000) or a crank shaft and bearing job at a cost of $3,000 which will still result in the same problem down the line.

- Bensalem, PA, USA

problem #156

Sep 022004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving at 70 mph vehicle stalled. Vehicle was towed to an independent shop, and technician determined that engine needed to be replaced. Consumer navigated the NHTSA website and found too many complaints on same subject. When will NHTSA recall this vehicles with 2.5 engine.

- Nutter Fort, WV, USA

problem #155

Oct 242003

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,167 miles
While driving 50 mph vehicle stalled. The consumer was unable to restart the vehicle, and it was towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced, and replaced it. However, the problem recurred. It was determined that the problem was due to sludge build up. There were no warning.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #154

Aug 302004

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles
Vehicle had excessive amount of motor sludge found at the base of the engine. This caused the engine to completely shut down. Consumer had the vehicle less than a year and already the vehicle needed to have the motor replaced. Vehicle had been properly maintained.

- Rock Hill, NY, USA

problem #153

Jul 192004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving 45 mph vehicle stalled, and the check engine light appeared on the dashboard. Consumer was unable to restart vehicle, an dit was towed to a body shop for inspection. Mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #152

Jun 092004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,502 miles
The car would not start after a brief drive with no previos indications of any problem. Had it towed to the dealer who gave me an estimate for $8100 to replace the engine.tech said this is a common problem in the Intrepids with 2.7L engines, but it is usually due to poor maintainance which leads to sludge build-up, but that he could tell my car was well maintained and clean. He siad it was caused by a water-pump failure, which threw off the timing and totalled the engine. The car had 59,000 miles and 2 payments left and was now basically worthless. The dealership got Chrysler to reduce the bill by about 50% and I had to pay $4000 for a new engine. After picking it up, the A/C does not work. Dealership says it is 'unrelated" and will cost $1100. To repair. Someone should investigate this car as we are paying $20,000+ in good faith for cars that seem to self destruct before they are even paid for and we are left with nothing to show for 5 years of payments!!! thank you.

- Henrietta, NY, USA

problem #151

May 082004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles
Engine blown at 70,000 miles and dealer won, T even consider looking at it unless I pay them $2000. To dis-asseble motor for evaluation. Deales says it is not covered by Dodge.

- La Mirada, CA, USA

problem #150

Jan 232004

Intrepid

  • 60,000 miles
While driving, vehicle stopped dead at a intersection due to the timing chain snapping which wiped out the entire engine. (nar)

- Niles, MI, USA

problem #149

Feb 122003

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving consumer heard loud noise. Vehicle was taken to the mechanic, who determined that engine was defective.

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

problem #148

Aug 172004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles
Engine is failing due to sludge in the motor. Is emitting white smoke from tail pipe and is destined for complete failure anytime. Check engine light blinks from time to time and is rough starting sometimes. I feel there should be a recall on this motor to restore it before someone gets killed. I will never own another Dodge product and have lost all faith in this company. They are just out for the money and could care less about the safety of their customers!!! I am willing to join in a lawsuit! just contact me.

- Crossville, TN, USA

problem #147

Jun 012004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,164 miles
Had begun to notice slight pinging sound in engine. Engine seized up on me while driving home at night from appointment - approx 20 miles away from home. Was able to contact my husband and he hauled car home. Called several locations to get info on rebuilding engine for 1999 Dodge Intrepid. Was told by several mechanics that this particular engine is none for seizing up and not to waste my money on buying a new 2.7 engine. New engine price around $5,000. Not only am I stuck with 9 more payments, but I also have to carry full coverage insurance since the car is financed. Called Dodge customer service and they would not even open a complaint file.

- St. Augustine, FL, USA

problem #146

Jun 182004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles
Engine started knocking and weeks later the engine died while on a busy street. No action has been taken to correct the failure due to the high cost.

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #145

Aug 072004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles
We bought the car when it was two years old with 21,000 miles on it. From the minute we drove it home, the air wouldn't cool in the summer and the heat would go out in the winter. Every time we brought it in to be looked at, the dealer could not identify a problem with it. We've now owned the vehicle since fecurary 2002 and the idle was always a bit rough. We were told that, that was the way the engine was supposed to sound. A few weeks ago the valves started clattering. We changed the oil twice after being told that, that would rectify the issue and it didn't. on 8/7/2004 we were on the road the engine started clattering really loud, we pulled off and had our oil changed professionally this time. After getting back on the road the idle seemed better but the clattering got worse and was followed by an additional noise. Shortly after the engine made a loud noise and seized. The car is a 1999 with 72,000 miles on it and the engine is blown, there is something seriously wrong with this picture!

- Watertown, MN, USA

problem #144

Sep 072003

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,875 miles
Engine strated knocking and check engine light came on all at once and quit. Towed to shop, check engine and found that number three rod bearing had failed. Ad block mill and put in rod bearing, rods, crank kit, and gaskets.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #143

May 092004

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles
We purchased a used 1999 Dodge Intrepid. After bringing it home we noticed knocking in the engine. After that it wouldn't start any more. We ended up spending oer $1500 on a new engine for the car.

- Cuba, NY, USA

problem #142

Jul 122004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My 1999 Dodge Intrepid developed an engine knock. Upon taking it to the local Dodge service garage I was told that the rod bearings were shot and the engine had oil sludge build-up. The only remedy is a new engine at a cost of $6700

- Marion, OH, USA

problem #141

Jul 012004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles
While driving, the engine suddenly started to make a banging noise, then the vehicle stalled. The engine had seized up, but the consumer was able to coast the vehicle off the road. The consumer had the vehicle towed to their driveway. A mechanic inspected the engine and stated it failed. The engine contained sludge build up.

- Northwood, OH, USA

problem #140

Jun 062004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,200 miles
On our way back from a small vacation on June 6, 2004 the oil light of my 1999 Dodge Intrepid came on. We (my husband, myself and our 2 small children) pulled off the highway to the side of the road and our car quit. We checked the oil (which was full) and we tried to start the engine but it would not start. We then proceeded to call our aaa number and waited for a towtruck. When we contacted the garage the next day to see what the problem was, they told us that our oil pump malfunctioned which in turn led to the engine failure. We were told that our engine was not salvageable and that we would need to replace it. Up until this point we thought we had just had some incredibly bad luck, but then we started looking around for a used engine and found it extremely difficult. We talked to several mechanics that were very aware of a common problem of the Dodge 1999, 2.7 oil pumps failure. We found this very interesting. We found it even more interesting when we called the Dodge company and were told that they were unaware of any problems with oil pump failure in the slightly older models but yet we have had no luck finding a replacement engine. We were told that we may have a newer stratus engine on the way but are still unsure of that. So basically we now have a car that has a $4000 problem that we are having a terrible time finding a cure for. Granted my car had 71,000 miles on it but in this day in age I would expect a car to last a little longer than that. And even it it didn't, I would certainly like to be able to find a replacement for the problem and not be told "good luck!" or "man, not another one!" by mechanics that are certainly aware of this common problem even though the Dodge company is not, or so they say. We were totally unaware of this problem until it was too late and will end up costing us approximately $4000. At this point we our still without our vehicle and still have not secured a replacement engine.

- Cameron, NY, USA

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