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 stall on a daily bases sometimes it will restart other times you have to wait 30 to 60 mins. It will start and drive then you shut it off it will not restart for 30 to 60 mins sometimes longer. Engine also has sludge build up. Vehicle has 108000 miles on it. It is the 2.7 liter engine. After reading some of the other complaints I do not understand why there has not been a recall issued. This is a serious problem that can get someone injured or worse. There is no need in trying to fix this problem because you fix one thing and something else is going to go wrong. Chrysler needs to step up and fix this problem.
I have changed the oil in the vehicle regularly every 3-4 thousand miles, then on Sunday the timing belt tensioner went out and now the repair shop tells me I need a new engine and it's due to the tensioner failing from a sludge build up. I have since found this is very common to the 2.7L engine. Now the repair estimate is between five and six thousand dollars.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle shut off completely and would not restart. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic and it was discovered that the timing chain failed, the cams were bent, and the engine needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 121,000.
Last year around Dec 12th 2006 I replaced the timing belt, and oil sensor. On August 17th 2008, one day after my oil light came on the engine seized. I checked the oil and it had slug. I just got a call from Dodge Thursday the 14th 2008, telling me that my car was due for service. 3 days later engine seized.
- Worcester, MA, USA
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1999 Dodge Intrepid 2.7 engine with 72,000 miles on it, timing chain jumped, engine is now junk and car sits. This engine has a design defect and Dodge should do a recall to replace them.
While driving engine cut out. No warning lights came on, temp. Gage was normal. Car filled with smoke before I could get to a complete stop. Engine was a blaze when I opened the hood to see where the smoke was coming from. I was able to get it put out quickly with an extinguisher. I had recently had oil & filter's changed, the car was fine no knocking from engine. The car is/ can be classified as totaled due to age/mileage on it compared to replacement/repair cost.
Our 1999 Dodge Intrepid with 110,000 miles had engine failure due to a build-up of sludge in the engine. It's a complete loss to us since fixing the timing chain and other parts will ultimately fail because of the crap that remains in the engine!
1999 Dodge Intrepid with 2.7L began to run roughly while driving then quit entirely when vehicle pulled into driveway. Vehicle was towed to repair shop and was told the motor was shot. There were no warning lights or any other indication of a problem.
1999 Dodge Intrepid 2.7L engine failure at 64,000 miles due to oil sludge. Top engine knock. Oil changes were regular and done by 3,000 miles. In less than 24hr period oil light came on and engine began knocking. Oil level on stick showed in correct range. Estimate of repair at $4800 to replace engine and labor.
Engine had died while driving about once every 2 months for half a year. After a day or two the car would start again. Had the battery replaced and the fuel pump replaced throughout the process. Knocking sound started prior to timing chain breaking.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, while approaching a stop sign, the vehicle shut off. The first time the vehicle did not restart and had to be towed. The engine was replaced, but the failure recurred four years later. The current mileage was 112,000 and failure mileage was 76,000.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. While the engine was turned on, the contact heard a clanking noise coming from the engine compartment. While idling at a traffic light, the noise grew louder and the engine was turned off. The vehicle would not restart. There were no warning indicators prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to the repair shop and they stated that the engine needed to be replaced due to the timing chain. The engine received regular maintenance and the oil pan was recently replaced. The current and failure mileages were 60,784. Updated 02-14-08
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 45 mph, the engine automatically stalled and the vehicle lost complete power. The dealer and manufacturer have not yet been notified. The contact notified an independent mechanic and he stated that there was sludge build-up, which caused the sensors to fail. The mechanic also stated that there was no current repair because the failure was too infrequent. In addition, the heater does not work properly and causes the vehicle to smoke and shut down. This failure also results from the sludge defect with the engine. There is no current recall information. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 135,000 and failure mileage was 125,000.
The motor in the 1999 Dodge Intrepid I just bought stop working. I took it to a mechanic and he said the timing chain broke due to a defect. He told me to call Chrysler and ask what they could do to help me. I called them and they said I on my own. I have looked into the a little and found that many people have had the same problems and now there is a lawsuit against Chrysler in New Jersey from debra lee herbert. Engines pricing is $2000 to $5000 depending on new or used. Plus the engine places won't warranty this from happening again. Please help.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The mechanic stated that the engine locked. As of January 14, 2008, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 76,781. The VIN was unavailable.
TL-contact owns a 1999/Dodge/Intrepid.contact stated she was driving at 20 mph on the highway and the car just died on her. No warning lights came on. They have a 1000 miles to drive before another oil change. Weather was not a factor. They were driving normally before it died. Vehicle was towed to a mechanic about a block away. The mechanic informed them there is water in the oil and they would have to junk the car. The cap for the oil was blown off because water was going in the oil. The current and failure mileage is 140,000.contact does not know her VIN number....mw
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. While driving between 15- 25 mph, the contact heard a loud bang and pulled off the road. There were no warning indicators. Two days prior, there was a ticking noise coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken in for an oil change although it was not needed. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer after the incident occurred. The current and failure mileages were 78,000.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle began making a loud banging and a hard knocking sound in the engine compartment. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer and they diagnosed complete engine failure. There were no warning indicators present. The dealer wants $6,000 to replace the engine; however, the contact intends to repair the vehicle. He stated that regular maintenance has been performed on the vehicle since its purchase. Updated 12/12/07
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Phenix, AL, USA