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.
7.5
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,310
Average Mileage:
99,700 miles
Total Complaints:
22 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (15 reports)
engine replacement with a 3.5l (3 reports)
overhaul of motor (2 reports)
replace intake tensioner and valve gaskets (2 reports)
This is part two of what is obviously an unfolding saga.
I was one of the lucky few who got my engine replaced with a used engine with 34k on it. I went to my local lube shop, and got an oil change. result: by the same evening, my engine was ticking! AGAIN!
Learning from past experience, i went to a third party BEFORE bringing it in to the dealer, but without opening the head (it sounded like a top end issue at the time), they couldn't provide information on exactly what was happening, but they told me it was something in the top end of the block. So, i bit the bullet, and brought it in to the dealership, the Team Goewey Dodge Dealership, located in Latham, N. Y.
Well, the dealer called me today, and told me they would replace the intake tensioner, and valve gaskets. The service person, Sara, then proceeded to inform me that they were switching my oil, again, and were going to use regular oil instead of the synthetic. Of course, this struck me as strange, especially because she also told me that this was recommended . . . .
I pushed for more information, and she told me the technician told her that because they didn't know what was used in the engine before, its better to stick with regular oil, and that they're trying to save me money.
undaunted, i pushed for more information. she informed me that this 5 star dodge dealership did NOT have any synthetic oil! this is bordering on preposterous.
now i knew she was full of s#!t.
just to be sure, i called up my lube shop, and asked some questions. turns out that the neon srt4 turbo, the pt cruiser turbo, and the viper all come from factory with synthetic REQUIRED for changes.
i call back Sara, and ask if they sell those models. Yes, was the response. Well, what do they use? "Well, i don't know, we have to look on the oil cap, or in the manual, blah blah blah". It is clear that these people are used to dealing with uninformed customers, and use this to their advantage at every turn. Seems they forgot about the Internet.
well, i don't need to tell anyone here not to buy dodge, but i sure as hell will be informing ANYONE i can. I am definitely talking to a lawyer tomorrow, as well as calling the Company, to give them an earful about the bull that this dealer put me through. Of course, this won't do me much good, but i will anyhow.
I just brought my 99 intrepid in for a ticking sound. They said they could not duplicate the problem. So I took time out of my day and went to work late to take their service Forman for a ride. On the ride I amazingly was able to duplicate the "ticking" noise. I am Skilled I guess. It happens around 2k RPM. Drive and Neutral gears. A funny thing happened on this ride my check engine light came on and the car started to hesitate and stall. We got back to the shop and it is the Cam/ Crank sensor. Service solution Clean the battery terminals and updated the PCM. Cost $120.00 Suggested service for the "ticking" flush the engine to remove sludge and change oil. total for all service $347.37.
I go to pick the car up today. Non of this is covered under the warranty. I even told them about the information I found here and the response was "I have worked here for 9 years and never heard of this problem with the 2.7L engine" In the past 6 months, car purchased October 30 2002. It has been in the shop 3 time costing an additional $1,256.00 on top of my purchase price of $11,800.00.
Also Found Many others with similar issues at http://intrepid.clan-510.org
- auger_t,
Schenectady, NY, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This is part two of what is obviously an unfolding saga.
I was one of the lucky few who got my engine replaced with a used engine with 34k on it. I went to my local lube shop, and got an oil change. result: by the same evening, my engine was ticking! AGAIN!
Learning from past experience, i went to a third party BEFORE bringing it in to the dealer, but without opening the head (it sounded like a top end issue at the time), they couldn't provide information on exactly what was happening, but they told me it was something in the top end of the block. So, i bit the bullet, and brought it in to the dealership, the Team Goewey Dodge Dealership, located in Latham, N. Y.
Well, the dealer called me today, and told me they would replace the intake tensioner, and valve gaskets. The service person, Sara, then proceeded to inform me that they were switching my oil, again, and were going to use regular oil instead of the synthetic. Of course, this struck me as strange, especially because she also told me that this was recommended . . . .
I pushed for more information, and she told me the technician told her that because they didn't know what was used in the engine before, its better to stick with regular oil, and that they're trying to save me money.
undaunted, i pushed for more information. she informed me that this 5 star dodge dealership did NOT have any synthetic oil! this is bordering on preposterous.
now i knew she was full of s#!t.
just to be sure, i called up my lube shop, and asked some questions. turns out that the neon srt4 turbo, the pt cruiser turbo, and the viper all come from factory with synthetic REQUIRED for changes.
i call back Sara, and ask if they sell those models. Yes, was the response. Well, what do they use? "Well, i don't know, we have to look on the oil cap, or in the manual, blah blah blah". It is clear that these people are used to dealing with uninformed customers, and use this to their advantage at every turn. Seems they forgot about the Internet.
well, i don't need to tell anyone here not to buy dodge, but i sure as hell will be informing ANYONE i can. I am definitely talking to a lawyer tomorrow, as well as calling the Company, to give them an earful about the bull that this dealer put me through. Of course, this won't do me much good, but i will anyhow.
- Paul P., Albany, NY, US