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.
Another example of Dodge quality. driving the car one day the belt fell off. all of a sudden I lost power steering. when I got home and looked under the hood. I noticed the idler that held the belt in place fell. I then saw that the plate holding the idler on to the engine cracked and that is why it fell off. then when the bolt holding the tensioned for the ac belt broke inside the engine so now i have no ac. Please do not by a dodge, they are junk. once junk always junk.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Another example of Dodge quality. driving the car one day the belt fell off. all of a sudden I lost power steering. when I got home and looked under the hood. I noticed the idler that held the belt in place fell. I then saw that the plate holding the idler on to the engine cracked and that is why it fell off. then when the bolt holding the tensioned for the ac belt broke inside the engine so now i have no ac. Please do not by a dodge, they are junk. once junk always junk.
- ojim, Pittsburgh, PA, US