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:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,985 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.

1999 Dodge Intrepid engine problems

engine problem

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1999 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments

problem #19

Jun 082005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a 1999 Dodge Intrepid 2.7 liter engine. It has about 95,000 miles on it. I was pulling my car forward when the accelerator/throttle stuck and plunged my vehicle into a Jeep in my driveway. I almost pushed that vehicle almost into the road with oncoming traffic. I put my car into reverse to prevent further incidence, and it crashed into a tree (with the throttle still stuck). The tree stopped my vehicle and I was able to shift it into park. There was minimal damage to the Jeep because it had a square metal bumper, but I was not so fortunate. I have frontal damage as well as extensive rear damage to my vehicle. The car was going at such a fast rate of speed that the driveway had deep marks in it from the acceleration and me trying to brake. The car had to towed to a repair shop because I did not want to take the chance of further injury/incidence.

- Arcade, NY, USA

problem #18

Oct 042004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration on its own, resulting in a crash through the garage door. Manufacturer has been contacted by consumer.

- Johnston, RI, USA

problem #17

Oct 242004

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,217 miles
While in the parking lot of a church vehicle went into reverse by itself and went across the parking lot. The consumer received a recall notice from the manufacturer for the trans axle floor shift interlock system. The consumer took the vehicle to a dealer, and was told that the vehicle was out of warranty. The dealer wanted to charge consumer $2227.89 to repair the transmission. Currently, the vehicle will not go into reverse at all. Refer to recall campaign #04V021000. The consumer place the key into the ignition and turned on the ignition and the vehcile vehilce shot into reverse, across the parking lot.

- Lincoln, IL, USA

problem #16

Apr 022004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was on my way to work that morning and there was a loud clunk and then the wheel locked up. I was unable to break or turn the steering wheel without major difficulty. My speedometer went from 45 to 10 in seconds so I was able to coast to a stop. When the car was towed and checked by the mechanic I was told that the timing change prematurely "popped" and one for the pulley's bent all of the valves which blew my motor. I was then told that it would take $5000 to replace the motor. I don't have $5000 so I had the car towed to my mothers home where she has room for the car and it has been sitting ever since. I have a 5 year loan on this vehicle that must be paid and no vehicle. Even a used motor is going to cost me at least $2800-$3000 and this is not money that I have available to me. The car was well-maintained and recieved oil changes and I made sure to get everything done before it was needed. I still have 3 years to go on the loan and absolutely no way to pay for the repairs. And I know that the longer the car sits the worse the overall damage will be because things will begin to wear down from non-use. But what else can I do??

- Zion, IL, USA

problem #15

Jul 092004

Intrepid

  • 58,000 miles
While driving 50 mph vehicle surged forward. Consumer pulled over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Elk Grove Village, IL, USA

problem #14

Mar 042002

Intrepid

  • 79,000 miles
The vehicle experienced sudden acceleration.

- Nesconset, NY, USA

problem #13

Aug 192002

Intrepid

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Started vehicle in park with right foot on brake pedal. Soon as put in reverse encountered a "sudden unintended acceleration" (sua). Through normal reflex also had portion of my left foot on brake pedal as the motor raced being pushed in a backwards circular motion by an unknown component malfunction. A 180 degree circle was made until stopped by the rear bumper of an unoccupied Windstar van. Then I was able to turn off the iginition to stop the still racing motor. That Windstar driver had just descended from her vehicle. The police had my vehicle towed because of a vehicular defect. My vehicle missed an occupied station wagon by approximately two inches judging by skidmarks. The driver confirmed that soon as back up lights came on my vehicle just "shot out" of the post office parking space.

- Morrison, MO, USA

problem #12

Mar 192002

Intrepid

  • miles
I drove my car to work without incident. Car was parked at work overnight. Left work the next morning, while accelerating up to speed I noticed that the car was jerking hard as it shifted through the gears (automatic). Before I got home (3 miles from work) the engine check light came on. When I arrived at home I cycled the shifter from park to drive (while car was parked in garage). While doing this the transmission would hesitate and then shift very hard into drive which made the car lurch forward (park and foot brake were applied). I had the car towed to the local dealership where they replaced the input speed sensor, this was covered under the original manufacturer's warranty, no cost to me. The next incident occurred in a similar fashion, the car was parked at work. When I left the next morning I noticed that the speedometer was not working (indicated "0" even though the car was moving). The shift selector on the dash was in [2] even though I had the shifter in the auto-stick mode which should start out in [1]. I took the shifter out of autostick and placed it in auto-shift, the acceleration was very sluggish, it was obvious that the transmission was stuck in [2]. as I was driving home the check engine light came on. While parked in the garage I cycled the shifter from park to drive, once again the transmission hesitated, then shifted very hard into drive, causing the car to lurch forward. I had the car towed to the local dealership where they replaced the output speed sensor. The original manufactures warranty had expired, I bought an extended warranty which covered the repair minus my $100 deductible. I have read numerous complaints through your website from other owners with the same problem, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that their is a real "safety" issue here. When is your department going to inform the manufacturer that this is not acceptable? maybe after someone is "killed!!"

- Martinez, CA, USA

problem #11

Feb 082002

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While backing up, the engine started to rev, consumer tried to shift into neutral, but shifted to drive instead, vehicle kept accelerating, and ran into a cement pillar.. consumer also stated he hit the parking lot light pole while in reverse at impact, vehicle accelerator went to the floor.

- Lady Lake, FL, USA

problem #10

Dec 202001

Intrepid

  • miles
Airbag, horn and cruise control not functional due to clock spring

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #9

May 192001

Intrepid

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Cruise control component over took the brake system. Car accelerated from 25 miles a hour in stop and go traffic to 40 miles an hour. This happened in spite of the brakes being compressed. This cause me and my family to end up unde the rear of truck. This action kad occurred again to me personally and to two other persons. This problem was reported to the dealership several times and claimed to have repaired it, but the same thing happenned again on the way home from the shop. The first tiome it was supposedly repaired, the O2 sensor and cruise control cable were replaced. This action has not stopped this vehicle from accelerating on its own. After this incident it accelerated with two different people behind the wheel. My attorney has located two other 99 Intrepids that have done this. One accelerated in reverse and the other in drive like mine. I have contacted Chrysler/daimler customer service, but to no avail. This vehicle has been taken back by the finance company because we refused to pay on anything that almost killed our family. Of course they, household finance, could care less and were only interested in getting their money. I intend to put this information every where I can to hopefully prevent anyone from purchasing this vehicle. They could be killed because it has not been repaired and continues to accelrate ob its own. This car is a death trap and should be taken off of the road. If there is anything else I can do to accomplish the foregoing, please contact me.

- Harvey, LA, USA

problem #8

Apr 292001

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving out of driveway vehicle accelerated at full speed, causing loss of vehicle control, brakes failed to stop vehicle. Consumer turned ignition switch off to gain control. Rear brakes locked causing the vehiclce to skid. The front brakes could not over come the full acceleration of the vehicle. The vehcile has heater and window motor problem. The consumer believes the problem was caused by electronic failure.

- North Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #7

Mar 282001

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was in park and engine started racing real hard. Consumer thought by turning heat & radio off it would help engine calm down. Vehicle was starting to move forward in a park postion. Consumer put foot O brakes, and vehicle suddenly took off with two feet pressing down on brake. Consumer was one car length behind another vehicle. Other driver saw consumer's vehicle moving forward, but consumer had rearend other vehicle doing over $1000 worth of damages. Chrysler was sending someone out to cosumer's house to look at vehicle on 04-02-2001.

- Wyile, TX, USA

problem #6

Oct 112000

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When vehicle was shifted from park to drive it accelerated to full throttle and crashed into a wall.vehicle had to be towed to dealership.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #5

Jul 282000

Intrepid

  • miles
Started vehicle & was backing it up when it suddenly accelerated backwards. Also, accelerated forward. Jumped a curb. Had no prior warning. Took to dealer & mechanic could find the cause of the sudden acceleration.

- Folley, AL, USA

problem #4

May 262000

Intrepid

  • miles
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration resulting in collision with fence causing extensive damage.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #3

Feb 192000

Intrepid

  • miles
The vehicle suddenly started to jerk and raced forward while the driver was braking due to speed sensor failure, but the incidence repeated after replacing the speed sensor.

- No. Miami Beach, FL, USA

problem #2

Feb 192000

Intrepid

  • miles
Vehicle experience sudden acceleration while backing out of a parking space, consumer foot was depressing the brake and the vehicle continue to rev, jerk and accelerate down a 30- foot embankment, the air bag failed to deploy during accident.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #1

Feb 192000

Intrepid

  • miles
Vehicle experience sudden acceleration while backing out of a parking space, consumer foot was depressing the brake and the vehicle continue to rev, jerk and accelerate down a 30- foot embankment, the air bag failed to deploy during accident.

- Miami, FL, USA

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