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.
4.7
definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,580 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.
Car started making a noise in the front end. It would only start after driving the vehicle for more that 45 minutes. Noise was so bad at times that it sounded as if the front end was going to fall out. Shortly after, the steering got extremely loose from left and right. Steering is so bad, you can't keep the car in between the lines on the road. Took to dealer and they diagnosed it as the rack and pinion steering. There are problems with other Intrepids and tie-rod end bushings, however, that is not the case with mine. I got a second opinion from another reputable technician and he came to the same conclusion. I have had several techs tell me they have never seen a rack wear out under normal conditions unless the part was manufacturers defect. I have contacted Dodge and they will not stand behind it because the 3 year warranty is out. If the part is defective, how can they not stand behind they product or be held responsible? the cost of the repair is $1200. Because of safety for myself and my children, I can not drive the car until I have the money for repairs. Just a note, I financed the car for three years and it won't even be paid for until December of this year. It's ashame that something like this can happen on a car that only has 50,000 miles and less than three years old. Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.
The car is not barely 3 years old and the rack and pinion steering has gone out. I am concerned that this component should not go out under normal conditions. If the part is defective who is liable, the car company or the manufacturer of the part and how will I know this as a regular consumer who is not mechanically inclined.
The first time we took the car into the dealer, they could find nothing wrong. The second time we took it in, and only up david's insistence, were they then able to diagnosis the problem. It took them 45 minutes of drive time to ascertain the problem. Then, despite a drought of 30 days, they had to wait to fully diagnose the problem as it had begun to rain, and apparently the final diagnostic test had to be done in the dry weather. Then only the first part of the problem was diagnosed. At this time, david provided them with numbers of the technical notices that they then provided us. No safety defect.
- Ossining, NY, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I had a lost of steering "freeplay" from left to right. I also had loose sound in front end" at low speeds over little bumps.I had the dealer look at it they quoted me $1500. To replace gearbox. Service rep. Called me later to replace it all for $500. He said this was a goodwill service. They change the part out with a redesigned part. I just want to know if anyone else has had this safety problem. Could this be a recall item" thank you.
While making a left hand turn at 5 mph consumer was not able to straighten out vehicle after turning, vehicle kept going to left. Mechanic found steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Stuttgart, AR, USA