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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,766 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. While driving 35 mph, the driver heard a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment in the vehicle. When the contact approached a red light and came to a complete stop, the vehicle suddenly stalled. She attempted to restart the vehicle, but the engine failed to start. The vehicle was towed back to the contact's residence, where it currently remains. Two mechanics came to her home and stated that the timing chain needed to be replaced. She was informed that the failure was common for her year, make, and model vehicle. The vehicle has not yet been repaired and is currently parked at the contact's residence. The current and failure mileages were 88,596.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. If the contact does not drive the vehicle before it warms up, it will shut off. Once the timing chain cools off, the vehicle will restart. Once the vehicle gets warm, it shuts off again. The vehicle was towed a couple of times, but once it was home, it would start again. The dealer stated that the timing chain was the cause of the failure. The repair would cost $1,200. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 94,000.
Have had to replace engine 3 times an looks like it needs to be replaced again in A1999 Dodge Intrepid car 2.7 engine due to oil sludge build up in engine with oil changed every 2,500 miles.
I have a Dodge Intrepid that now has a blown engine when it should have lasted much longer. In taking it to the mechanic, I found that the 2.7 engine was the worst one Chrysler has made and was a "disposible" engine. My windows do not work, and my fan (air/heat) only works on high. Calls to Chrysler and any Chrysler dealership have remained unanswered and now I look to get maybe $500 for the car, if I'm lucky, and now have to get a loan for another car. Thanks Chrysler.
: the contact stated while driving 40 mph down a street, the engine stalled without warning. The engine did not restart and was towed to an independent repair shop who determined the timing chain needed to be replaced. After the repair, the engine stalled again without warning. Upon further inspection, the engine was filled with sludge. The engine was rebuilt which corrected the problem. The manufacturer was not alerted.
- Montclair, CA, USA
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: the contact stated while driving any speed, there was a loud ticking noise in the engine. The dealership determined the timing chain was bad and the engine would blow in 1-2 months.
On Feb 17 2006 a knocking began under the hood of the car. On Feb 20 2006 the car was taken to sunoco for investigation, the mechanic suggested it was coming from the engine and to have it checked out asap. On Feb 21st the car cut off while driving down the street. I managed to drive the car to a midas shop, the mechanic told me there were many problems with the engine in my car model. The car sat at the midas shop until Feb 23rd when a tow truck took it to an auto shop.
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.
Contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated the timing chain broke. The contact had two different repair shops inspect the vehicle, and they stated that the engine was not worth a dime. The mechanic determined that Chrysler should have never put this type of motor into a vehicle. The consumer contacted the manufacturer, and they advised the contact to purchase a new vehicle. The vehicle only had 57,000 miles on it.
The caller said timing chain broke while traveling at 30 mph. This happened without warning. There were noises, but he did not know what they were. Vehicle was towed to the caller's home. Dealer and manufacturer have not been contacted yet.
999 Dodge Intrepid 2.7 liter engine. While driving the engine started knocking and then failed. Took the vehicle to a mechanic, and he determined it was the engine. The engine heads warped, timing chain came out, and oil pressure dropping badly. They said that they had seen lots of engines with the same problem. No indicator light came on while driving at 50 mph. There was no check engine light on. Consumer felt that the dealership should inform the consumer of any complaint that they knew, especially when buying a used car.
Caller stated timing chain failed after 2 months. Dealer said there were three timing chains on the vehicle, and that when one failed they all malfunctioned. Caller did not fix vehicle F yet. Caller said this happened without warning. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet.
While driving at 35 mph engine started knocking. Consumer took vehicle back to the dealer, and dealer replaced the timing chain, tension span, and an oil pump. Consumer drove the vehicle for approximately 10 miles and the engine blew. Had it towed back to the dealer.
Without warning our 1999 Intrepids engine froze, luckily my wife had just turned into a driveway when it happened. Dealer said that the timing chain had broken and warped the valves (everyone of them) and that they would have to be replaced. They accused us of not changing the oil regularly which caused sludge to biuld up. The oil was changed every 3000 to 4000 miles. This $1777 repair caused us undue stress because of medical bills. We did not have the money to repair it and chrylser refused to help. This was our only means of transportation so we had to borrow tha money from a family member, or not be able to get to work. This on top of making the payments.
Consumer took vehicle to dealer to repair timing belt which cost consumer $800. A few weeks later the oil pump and engine failed causing the vehicle not to start.
My 2.7 L Chrysler engine in my 1999 Dodge Intrepid failed a timing chain due to engine sludge. This destroyed the engine and Chrysler will not take any responsibility for it.
The timing chain broke, and the engine failed. There was no warning. Consumer could not start the vehicle. Consumer contacted Chrysler. Was told that there was nothing they could do. Then, she contacted the dealership.
While making a right turn power steering failed. Consumer was unable to steer the vehicle, and had it towed to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that idler pulley bearing deteriorated and steering pump failed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Youngstown, OH, USA