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 / 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.
I purchased a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. I have complete service records for the vehicle showing that on avg. The oil was changed every 3000 to 3600 miles. When driving at night during one of the snowfalls, the engine started to putter and eventually fail. I have my receipts showing that the oil was changed just three weeks prior and there was no warning of any issues. I had thee car taken to the dealer by tow the next morning to only be told a few days later that it is going to cost me $6400 to have it repaired?
1999 Dodge Intrepid - 2.7 litre engine. RPM's periodically dropped (like the engine was going to cut out), black smoke from tailpipe (signifying burning oil) while idling or upon takeoff from a dead stop. Engine seized 08/19/10 - no warnings whatsoever. Total failure - must replace it at a cost of $6000.
My Dodge Intrepid was serviced at keystone Dodge or bud brown Dodge in overland park, ks for every oil change. At just under 70,000 miles the engine blew because of sludge. I was driving and I lost all power. I had the car towed to a Dodge dealer and they told me that this is a common issue. Dodge was not responsive to questions about the engine issue.
The contact owns 1999 Dodge Intrepid. While the contact was driving approximately 40 mph, the engine revved excessively high, followed by the "oil" warning light illumination on the instrument. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road. The engine was turned off. After the engine cooled, the vehicle was able to resume normal. The failure occurred intermittent and progressed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact had not driven the vehicle in fear that the engine could possibly blow out. The failure mileage was 103,000.
- Keystone Heights, FL, USA
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Loud pop and a huge cloud of steam came out of the grill and around the hoods. I could not see through the cloud of steam for a couple of seconds. I was told that this happens often on Chrysler autos. ( connector valve ).
The Dodge Intrepid 2.7 motor is a bad motor, I have already had it rebuilt one time and now it appears that I am going to have to have it done again. Everyone I have spoken to about this car tells me the motors are bad. I feel that this needs to be investigated. If I had know this I would not have bought this car.
2000 Dodge Intrepid 2.7 engine seized, first time auto was in driveway, had to have new crank and rod bearings replace along with timing chain and water pump, second time engine seized while driving on highway and was traveling at a high rate of speed and was almost rear ended, now the engine has to be replaced. The estimated replacement engine is $2,500 to $4,000 and availability is getting shorter.
The contact owns a 1999 Chrysler Intrepid. While driving approximately 40 mph she heard a clicking noise. She parked the vehicle for inspection. Upon inspection she noticed that the timing chain had fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and he concluded that the timing chain and possibly the engine needed to be replaced. The timing chain was previously replaced. No repairs were made.. the failure mileage was 103,000. The current mileage was 123,000.
The contact owns a 1999 Chrysler Intrepid. While driving 55 mph, the contact heard a clunking sound and all power steering ability was lost. The steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. She then heard a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. There were no warnings prior to the failures. The contact is in the process of taking the vehicle to the dealer for further inspection. She called the manufacturer and was informed that no compensation would be provided because there were no recalls for the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.
For the past 3 or 4 years now I have been having engine related problems with my car. Recently things got worse. My heat will not work unless the car is moving, grayish spoke coming from the exhaust pipe and overheating. I went to a website that was talking about my type of car and the many engine troubles other people are having. The website claimed that I could receive help with getting my car fix due to the many defects with the engines of these cars. The website described everything my car is doing now.
1999 Dodge Intrepid 2.7 motor. After replacing the motor in 2006 35 days after buying it lasted till about Sept of 2008. Had to put in all new timing chain kit. Car ran for about a week and then broke down again. Had a mechanic look at it and now the right rear rod is shot. With all the money I have put into this car I think I should of just parked it at daimler Chrysler and put a sign on it saying what a piece of '!@#$%. cannot get anything for it trading it in all dealers know about this issue and want noting to do with it.
In 2001 I bought a Dodge Intrepid 2.7L. It was service regularly at keystone Chrysler in mission, Kansas. In September of 2004 I began to notice that it was running strange so I took it to bud brown Dodge in overland park, ks. I was told that the belt had slipped and it was not possible to tell the extent of the damage unless I allowed them to put a new one on and check the engine pressure. They service manager told me that the chances of the engine being ruined were 50/50. He called the next day to tell me that the engine was ruined and I owed $1,400. I call another Dodge dealership and explained the engine symptoms and asked what my next move should be. The sunflower Dodge tech told me that the 2.7 was a terrible engine and it would need to be replaced. I asked him if there was any chance that the engine was salvageable and he said no. He was willing to look at it but told me he had seen this over and over with this car. I came clean and told him what had happened with the other dealership and he assured me that they were wrong. He suggested that the tech could be new so I shouldn't assume fraud. He also told me that Dodge was not recalling an engine that they must have known by that time to be defective. I have looked on the internet and he appears to be correct.
I had to replace the engine on my 1999 Dodge engine in 2007. The engine failed and the dealer who replaced the engine said it was due to oil sludge. I subsequently found out that the problem is due to a design problem with the car. And the 2.7 liter engine.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 50 mph, he heard a thud and a pinging sound coming from the engine, and then the engine shut off without warning. The contact felt that the crank bearing caused the failure. As of May 16, 2008, the dealer had not inspected or repaired the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 98,000.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 45mph, the vehicle began to hesitate. The engine warning light was illuminated. The local mechanic replaced the water pump, gaskets, oil, filters and seals. The cost to repair the vehicle was $1,000. The vehicle began to make loud noises, he lost control of the steering and he had to cross three lanes to avoid a crash and stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic. The contact advised the mechanic to diagnose the failure prior to starting the vehicle or making repairs; however, the mechanic started the vehicle and the engine failed. The Dodge dealer replaced the engine at the contacts expense. The current and failure mileages were 91,954.
In July of 2007 I bought a 1999 Dodge Intrepid for my daughter's first car. I paid $3,000 for it from an elderly lady in town. Within 2 months the timing chain snapped and wound itself around inside the engine and blew through the cam cover. It was towed to a service station and the engine was taken apart. I was told that the 2.7 L engines are noted for overheating causing oil sludge to build up and the timing chains to break. I was also told it would cost me $4400 to replace the engine with a used one. Updated 12-12-07. Updated
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bakersfield, CA, USA