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 6 of 19)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #279

Feb 072006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,860 miles

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

: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the engine made a knocking noise. The vehicle was regularly maintained. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for inspection. The mechanic determined there was oil sludge in the engine and the engine needed replaced. Neither the manufacturer nor dealer have been alerted. No repairs have been made.

- Ball, LA, USA

problem #278

Feb 122006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,500 miles
: the contact stated while driving 45 mph the engine stalled without warning. The manufacturer was notified however, no repairs have been made. The vehicle was not seen by a dealer to determine the problem.

- Hamden, OH, USA

problem #277

Feb 062006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles
Car 99 Intrepid with 2.7 engine began making a rattling noise and oil pressure dropped. Car was pulled over and a tow truck was called. The failure is described as main bearings breaking up and damaging engine. Car had just been to Dodge dealership within the month had oil change and pan was replaced due to wear from previous oil changes. Was sufficient oil in car and the problem was explained to be a common problem with the Intrepid 2.7 engine. The only fix is to replace entire engine. It has been explained to me by numerous auto places that this happens so frequently in interpids that there is surprise it has not been recalled. The problem has been described as inadequate transfer of oil around engine due to poor design, which explains how even cars that have plenty of oil and have been properly maintained suffer from a catastrophic failure due to bearing shredding up and destroying the engine. We are currently getting quotes for replacement of motor various auto places recommend replacing with a 3.2 or 3.5 as the motors are easier to get a hold of and are reliable and are not believed to be problematic like the 2.7.

- Wildwood, MO, USA

problem #276

Dec 302005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

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

: 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.

- Tarpon Springs, FL, USA

problem #275

Jan 282006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles
I have a 1999 Dodge Intrepid with the 2.7 liter engine. About 2 weeks ago while driving down the highway, my car started chugging and then locked up. I was able to at least get it on to the side of the road without causing any accidents. I waited a few minutes and it started and then about 1/2 way down the road it did it again. I had my car looked at and they said I was in need of a new engine.

- Webster, NY, USA

problem #274

Feb 012006

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,000 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle was taken to the dealership because a ticking noise was coming from the engine. The dealership determined the engine needed to be replaced.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #273

Nov 102004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • 188,000 miles

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

Engine seized while driving. Oil sludge.

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #272

Oct 152003

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles
The engine failed with no prior warning and it was due to sludge build up.

- Norwood, NC, USA

problem #271

Aug 252005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,300 miles
Was driving 1999 Chrysler Intrepid with 2.7 V6 engine, began hearing loud clicking noise. Stopped at red light, when light turned green car shut off and would not restart. Had it towed to mechanic, and was informed that engine seized due to excessive oil sludge, metal shavings, and timing chain. All responsible for engine failure. Estimated cost of repair $5,000. Still owe a year of payments on car. Hasn't been operating since August 2005. Can't afford repair. Please contact your state attorney generals office for possible class action lawsuit to recall this defective motor. Daimler-Chrysler should be held liable for ever manufacturing these engines. Have contacted Chrysler in reference to problem and admitted they had other complaints about this. It is currently under investigation.

- West Seneca, NY, USA

problem #270

Jan 082004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles
In 2002 my 1999 Dodge Intrepid died on I-80 in sacramento California without any warning, I was able to safely get it off the freeway. The vehicle started again after multiple attempts. I took it directly to the Dodge dealership where I had purchased it. They replaced the engine. It was under warranty at that time. In January of 2004 the same problem happened again. Except this time my wife was driving the vehicle with my 3 children in it. She was driving South on 395 in reno, Nevada. She was luckily able to safely coast it off the freeway. I contacted Dodge about the problem and they wouldn't give me any help what so ever. The second engine has about 32000 miles on it.

- Novato, CA, USA

problem #269

Nov 062005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

: the consumer stated while driving at 70 mph, the engine locked up and lost all power which caused power steering failure and reduced braking ability. The vehicle was towed to a dealership. The dealership found metal shavings in the oil pan.

- Kings Mountain, NC, USA

problem #268

Oct 152003

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,139 miles
: the consumer stated while driving at 30 mph, the engine stalled with no warning. The vehicle was towed to the consumers residence. It was inspected by a local independent mechanic were it was discovered the engine was filled with sludge. The mechanic recommended that the engine be replaced.

- East Liverpool, OH, USA

problem #267

Jan 142006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles
: the contact stated the engine stalled while driving at 55 mph without warning and did not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop were it was determined the engine was filled with sludge build up and water. The independent mechanic recommended replacing the engine.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #266

Dec 292005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
Proper maintenance, all records present. Engine started knocking, dealership says need new engine. It's only 65K miles!! car is dangerous to drive cause engine may fail anytime and I get out of control on highway. Car parked. Contacted Chrysler - no help. Worst part - all dealers know, but nobody does anything!!! found thousands of complaints on the internet, which leads me here. Haven't done any repairs yet. From what I see on internet - engine replacement is a bad option, same engine still fails to soon and unexpectedly!

- Rockville, MD, USA

problem #265

Jan 102006

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
1999 Intrepid I took good care of my car and the engine went to pieces costing $7000 to fix.

- Olathe, KS, USA

problem #264

Dec 142005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving at 45 mph a knocking noise appeared in the engine. The vehicle was taken to the local dealership for inspection. The dealer determined an oil line to the engine was faulty, and suggested the engine be replaced. Routine maintenance was performed on the vehicle.

- Vincent, AL, USA

problem #263

Jan 072006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles
We have a 1999 Dodge Intrepid that began to have exhaust smoke. The mechanic suggested changing oil to havoline 10W-40 max. We did so. The car continued to have a smoking exhaust. We have regularly changed the oil before the 3 thousand mile mark. We had about one thousand miles from the last oil change. We have used regular oil changes and synthetic oil changes in the past. Approximately 130 miles into a trip with the car set in cruise control between 65 and 70 mph, the engine failed. Going up a slight incline, suddenly, the vehicle RPM's shoot up to about 6 thousand, the car lost power and could not be restarted. The incident was on a rather busy highway at the time. The motor had essentially froze, and lost oil as no or little oil was on the oil stick. The car is on a trailer awaiting to go to a local auto shop for repairs. The Dodge Intrepid was a great car to drive, and we had excellent gasoline mileage. The abrupt failure of the engine to perform on a busy highway is a forebearer of potential problems for the 2.7L engine, and its passengers.

- College Station , TX, USA

problem #262

Dec 202005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles
Oil light comes on at idle. Vehicle only has 115,000 miles on it and in my experience that is a little premature on a car that has had all its maintenance on it since it was new. I am the second owner but I got it from my father in law as a wedding gift.

- Ofallon, MO, USA

problem #261

Jun 012005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles
The contact stated while driving vehicle it lost power and stalled. She heard a clinging" sound prior to the vehicle stalling, but no other signs indicated a problem. The vehicle would not start back after she heard the sound. A local repair shop determined the timing chain broke causing an engine failure. The repair shop said the engine needed to be replaced. The contact's uncle inspected the vehicle and said sludge was built up in the engine. Routine maintenance was performed on the vehicle and she had recently had the oil changed.

- Fitchburg, WI, USA

problem #260

Dec 262005

Intrepid

  • miles
99 Dodge Intrepid shut off while driving. Almost, caused an accident. Handle bar became hard to turn. Now I'm been told I need a new motor. The motor on the car is a 2.7 L with 83,000 miles on it. Oil change has been done every 3,000 miles. Please help do something about this default on these models. Thank you.

- Fort Polk, LA, USA

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