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.
9.6
really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,330
Average Mileage:
93,500 miles
Total Complaints:
27 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (11 reports)
replace engine (11 reports)
new timing chain, had valves replaced (3 reports)
Chrysler should pay, faulty engine design (2 reports)
Well... Where do I start? I think I have said as many swear words that I can think of, some of which are in different languages, and cried as many tears as I can cry. Now I'm just numb. I've just been back to work for a year after my job was cut and 5 weeks ago my husbands job was cut after being employed for 23 years. We were just getting our family back on our feet when this CAR just up and dies on me. I was told a couple of weeks ago by the garage that it was burning oil pretty bad and that they only way to proceed was to get a new engine... The mechanics advised me to keet filling the oil regularly and that it should last me some time to save some cash to buy the new engine. Hmmm... no less that 3 weeks later I was having it towed to the shop where they told me the timing chain was gone and the only fix at this point is the new engine. This is a car that is only 5 1/2 years old and just 200,000 kms.
After reading the stories from other owners on oilsludge.com and other sites, I will NEVER EVEN THINK of buying another Chrysler again. Those bleeps knew this engine would fail on whomever bought it and didn't even give advisories of how to prevent or even delay this issue.
What a piece of crap after 50K miles. After reading other compliants, it makes me even more mad. Car is in shop and paid to have the timing chain replaced only to find out that they bent the valves. Wasted 1100.00 so far and car still is not fixed. Was told that if wanted to salvage the car, best alternative is to replace the engine. Engine estimates are approx. 4000.00 (plus what I put in it already). Last Chrysler product I will purchase.
Original engine on the vehicle had blown due to oil sludge problem. We had a rebuilt put in. A year and a half later, the timing chain blew through the engine and bent the heck out of the valves. I still owed on the rebuilt and it was 2 days before Christmas. F-it. We leased a vehicle (no problems with the Monte Carlo so far), parked the Intrepid in the driveway and started adding our names to every complaint list available. This engine is rediculously bad. I would not recommend this car to anyone. We'll likely give the car to charity (if they'll take it) and I doubt that we'll ever see any compensation from the manufacturer. All this means is that even after the car is gone, we'll have constant reminders of the "good times" in the form of monthly payments to the bank until the piece of junk rebuilt engine is paid off. For God's sake, don't buy one.
Timing chain broke - need new timing chain, tensioner, wated pump, head cover and probably most of the valves - low compression on just about every cylinder, oil pump, etc, etc, etc. DARN DARN DARN
- Dennis L.,
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
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With no warning the timing chain jumped on my 99 Intrepid 2.7 engine. Apparently this happens a lot with these engines. The Chrysler dealership told me it was either going to be $2000 (Cdn) for a timing chain, or a new $7000 (Cdn) engine. They also told me that the 2.7 was a piece of crap. Avoid this car/engine.
I kept good maintenance on this vehicle and the miles are easy highway miles. The 2.7 engine is not a good engine. I would not suggest it to anyone. I have talked to several dealers and mechanics and they have supported what I have claimed
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Well... Where do I start? I think I have said as many swear words that I can think of, some of which are in different languages, and cried as many tears as I can cry. Now I'm just numb. I've just been back to work for a year after my job was cut and 5 weeks ago my husbands job was cut after being employed for 23 years. We were just getting our family back on our feet when this CAR just up and dies on me. I was told a couple of weeks ago by the garage that it was burning oil pretty bad and that they only way to proceed was to get a new engine... The mechanics advised me to keet filling the oil regularly and that it should last me some time to save some cash to buy the new engine. Hmmm... no less that 3 weeks later I was having it towed to the shop where they told me the timing chain was gone and the only fix at this point is the new engine. This is a car that is only 5 1/2 years old and just 200,000 kms.
After reading the stories from other owners on oilsludge.com and other sites, I will NEVER EVEN THINK of buying another Chrysler again. Those bleeps knew this engine would fail on whomever bought it and didn't even give advisories of how to prevent or even delay this issue.
Anyway... thanks for listening.. :-(
- rparson, Brooklin, ON, Canada