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.
My daughter just bought her first car, a 1999 dodge intrepid 3.2L V6. The car had no problems for about two weeks then suddenly she stalled & the car started right back up. Then 3 days later the same thing happened and it took about 10 to 20 mins for the car to restart. Then 2 days later I replaced all the relay switches and checked the fuses after that, the car ran for a day and a half. Then when my daughter got up the next day the car would not start. I checked the fuses. The relay switches all were good. Does anyone have any idea what the problem is and if so how to fix this? I feel sorry for my 17 year old daughter who worked so hard to buy her first car only for this to happen. So please someone help me.
Wow, did I get duped! I was an inexperienced car buyer and did not do the research on this vehicle before I bought it. I bought my pretty White 99 Intrepid about a month ago from a previous owner. He asked $2700 for it and we talked him down to $2000 due to the fact that it needed new tires and brakes/rotors all the way around. I was very pleased with this because I thought I was getting a deal. Not so! As soon as I stopped at the first stop light on my way home, it stalled. It took a few weeks and replacing all the spark plugs and coil packs, but we came to find out that it was a crank shaft censor. Fixed the problem and it ran beautifully, for about a week. I drove it all afternoon one day and no problems, sounds, nothing. The following day I went to start it up to drive it to the store down the block and it was knocking very loudly! I have yet to find out exactly what the problem is but from reading all the previous complaints I see now that I should try to get rid of this death trap now and NEVER by another Dodge vehicle again!!!
First the oil indicator came on, then suddenly a loud noise, and then "bang", and the engine shuts off. That's it. The car is disabled. When I called for a tow company, the driver immediately tells me that this problem is common with Dodge Intrepid 2.7L. How do you know I asked? We tow many of these cars for engine shutdown problems. Generally after testing mechanics always blame it on the nature of the beast "the 2.7L engine of this car is simply worthless". NO MORE DODGE OF ANY KIND FOR ME ANYMORE. HOW CAN WE COMPETE WITH JAPANESE AND GERMAN CARS IF WE DON'T SATISFY OUR OWN "AMERICAN" CUSTOMERS? SHAME ON CHRYSLER/DODGE FOR BUILDING THIS TYPE OF JUNK. IT HAS BEEN HARDSHIP FOR MY FAMILY BECAUSE WE HAVE TO FINISH MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS PIECE OF JUNK, BUT WE CAN ONLY DRIVE ONE CAR, TO SCHOOL, TO WORK, ETC. SHAME ON CHRYSLER/DODGE FOREVER.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My daughter just bought her first car, a 1999 dodge intrepid 3.2L V6. The car had no problems for about two weeks then suddenly she stalled & the car started right back up. Then 3 days later the same thing happened and it took about 10 to 20 mins for the car to restart. Then 2 days later I replaced all the relay switches and checked the fuses after that, the car ran for a day and a half. Then when my daughter got up the next day the car would not start. I checked the fuses. The relay switches all were good. Does anyone have any idea what the problem is and if so how to fix this? I feel sorry for my 17 year old daughter who worked so hard to buy her first car only for this to happen. So please someone help me.
- James R., Roseville, MI, US