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.

3.9

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,565 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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1999 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments

problem #17

Feb 262007

Intrepid 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,100 miles

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

I purchased my 1999 Dodge Intrepid a 1 1/2 ago with 80,000 miles. About 3 months after purchase the cooling fans went and had to replace $400. Then about 2 months ago the crank shaft sensor went. Now the engine is gone. Oil light flickering on and off, check oil level is fine. Went from a tapping noise in engine to the engine sounding like its going to blow up. Cant drive piece of junk and still owe $7,000 on it.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #16

Aug 182005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,500 miles
1999 Dodge intrepeid--2.7L engine I was driving to work going 70 miles an hour when all of a sudden the car jerked and then the engine light came on and I coasted over to the side of the road. Once over to the side of the road, I tried to restart car and it was completely dead. Upon having my car towed to the dealership I was told the timing chain had broke and they were pretty sure that it had done extensive damage to the engine, which if I wanted to get it fix would cost me well over $5,000. I've also heard they have the worst A/C in the industry in their vehicles which my evaporator condensor went out and I had just paid $1,200 to get fixed.

- Maryville, IL, USA

problem #15

Jul 102005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
1999 Dodge Intrepid- originally taken to the dealer with a right-passenger window defect as the window would not go up and down electronically. Next, it was the air-conditioner which was repaired but did not work correctly. You had to turn the know to heat and then back to air-conditioning. Most recently, when you touched the brake and then tried to accerlerate the car would stall in the middle of an intersection. I brought the car to our mechanic for this repair and was told there was a problem with the computer. It was running hot and then would drop. They replaced a thermostat, idling motor and the computer. They had to keep the vehicle for two weeks. We were also apprised of a sludge problem with this vehicle. The air bag light does not go off and the mileage not longer appears and only the tripometer. This vehicle is approximately six years old and it has had consistant problems. In reviewing the recals on this model, they have only been related to seatbelts.

- Oakdale, NY, USA

problem #14

Nov 152003

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

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

Purchased in March of 1999: 6/02/99-rear window leak-repaired free of charge, 6/07/01-tires-$211.14 1/24/02-camshaft position sensor-49,550 miles-$170.80, 7/12/02-A/C system blowing warm. Freon&A/C dye-55,771 miles-$71.77, 7/16/02-install new coolant tube, install new air box(A/C/water outlet tube, antifreeze)-55,956 miles-$294.68, 7/18/02-replace engine with new-56,783 miles-$4,396. 7/18/03-rental car and motel charges for engine repair-$125 11/29/02-brake inspection-70,000 miles-$14.03, 4/29/03-window regulator and window(driver window)-62,072 miles-$424.82, 5/02/03-parts for brakes-$163.37(personally installed), 6/13/03-battery replacement-63,772 miles-$145.57, 7/23/03-install sop vacuum hose for PCV, replaced vacuum tube from PCV valve to valve cover-67,753 miles-$65.20, 10/29/03-transmission & starter-approx.70,000 miles-have not had it fixed due to financial difficulties-still at cortese Dodge in henrietta, NY. (quote about $3,400-will not know until they tear the transmission apart) the above are the problems that we have had with this car that we purchased brand new in 99. We still owe the bank approx. $7,000. The approx. Total of repairs(out of our pockets)$9,700. New car cost $22,930.64+$6,420.98(finance charges)=$29,351.62. We did have regular oil changes that we had done professionally and I did it myself.

- Spencerport, NY, USA

problem #13

Mar 152003

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles
I bought a 99 Dodge Intrepid from freedom Ford in centre, Alabama for a little over $14,000 about a year and a half ago. I went back last summer to trade in and was told that it was not even black booked for half that. Since then I have had to replace the cooling system (the entire system), all the fuses, the sensory module, the tie rods are shot and now the motor has locked up. Several mechanics have looked for a motor and found that the motor for this particular year of Intrepid runs $1,500 to $2000 more than all other motors, even the 2001 and newer models run $1000 to $1200 at the most. Their rejection to help me is due to the fact that the 99 model was an experimental motor and very few were made. I teach school and have found a co-worker whose sister has experienced the same problems. Her husband contacted Chrysler and after arguing with them, they paid for half of his motor, which knocked his total expense within the normally motor replacement cost. I was given a flat no from Chrysler and was told that they only honor this for original car owners with less than 100,000 miles and have an active warranty. Well my friend was a second car owner with more than 110,000 miles, no warranty, and is will to provide the information necessary to prove that he was in my same situation and received assistance in paying for his motor. I also have mechanics who will provide statements that after searching the auctions and hotlines for a motor they found more Intrepids on the line with bad motors than any other car, some having as little as 60 and 65 thousand miles. I also have auto parts store owners who suggest that I call Chrysler to have them help with the expenses due to the fact that they have helped others. I just get the run around from Chrysler with no concern of me having to make a $386 car payment to Ford for a piece of junk sitting in my yard, and continue pay $107 a month insurance that has to continued due to state laws.

- Cedar Bluff, AL, USA

problem #12

May 152003

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles
Various sensor problems. Have replaced on several occasions. Motor has been replaced twice, and going on it's third repair. Have yet to replace any power window/door/seat.

- Ray City, GA, USA

problem #11

Mar 132003

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

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

Engine failure on 2.7 litre motor on 1999 Dodge Intrepid due to oil sludge.

- Lancaster, NY, USA

problem #10

Apr 072003

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
History includes blown transmission sensor, failure on the very first year inspection for brake rotors, driver's side window sticks in up position, intermittent heat control button not functioning properly, noisy when turning in front strut area, keyless remote does not function properly and now the worst of it. One month ago, took car in with oil and engine lights flashing, ticking noise from engine, stalling out. Dealer did electronic sensors repairs and tune up costing $500. One month later, car had to be towed back to dealer with loud banging in engine. Repair bill of over $6,000 to fix a car I've owned 3 years, 8 months and 60,000 miles. 2.7 L engines are blowing in these cars all the time making it next to impossible to purchase a used one to do repairs myself. One used car parts place said they have a waiting list. Recall anyone"?"!!

- Blasdell, NY, USA

problem #9

Jun 052002

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
Ever since I purchased my 1999 Dodge Intrepid at the Dodge downtown la, many problems have occurred. The first problem was that sensors in the car kept blowing out, heater/ac went out and window motor blew out. All of these problems occurred more then once.Dodge downtown la could never determine what was wrong with the vechicle. A couple of weeks later, the engine blew out. All together I have spent $3000 for my car. I wish I would have knew what was wrong with my car before the problem got worse.Dodge downtown of la was not helpful to me in my situation.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #8

Dec 072002

Intrepid

  • miles
No summary.

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #7

Sep 132002

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

My transmission began making my car drive erratic. As with other owners of this same vehicle, while driving normally it all of a sudden began jerking abruptly and then the check engine light came on. The car would no longer go above 50mph as the transmission could not shift into higher gears. If I was on the freeway this could have been very dangerous. I've had the transmission solenoid pack replaced, the speed sensor replaced previously, and now I'm being told it is the speed sensor again. This is probably the worst experience I have ever had with a newer vehicle and I will never buy another Chrysler product again.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

problem #6

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 #5

Jan 012002

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving on highway, heard an unusal noise, vehicle shutoff, causing slug in oil pan and engine blowing out. Warning light never came on. Engine was replaced.

- Columbia, MS, USA

problem #4

Jan 252001

Intrepid

  • miles
Vehicle was using a lot of oil. Vehicle burned 1 quart of oil per 1000 miles.consumer's vehicle was burning 2 quarts of oil per 1000 miles. Oil light didn't tell when vehicle was low in oil.if engine was out of oil vehicle would sometimes stall. Contacted dealer, and dealer had to tear engine down to find cause.

- Longwood, FL, USA

problem #3

Jun 202001

Intrepid

  • miles
Check engine light illuminated and transmission locked into 2nd gear. No speed displayed on speedometer.

- Mesquite, TX, USA

problem #2

Feb 012001

Intrepid

  • miles
Engine light comes on then vehicle runs rough and won"T run above 40 M.P.H. car has been to dealer on five occasions with multiple parts replaced but it hasn"T solved the problem.

- Ortonville, MI, USA

problem #1

Feb 081999

(reported on)

Intrepid

  • miles
Small ledge on the dashboard is inviting to place coins there. Coins can slide out and go into the steering column shroud and lock the steering wheel unexpectedly.

- Somers, CT, USA

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