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.
04/24/03 Stuck in 1st gear. Had to replace transmission Sensor and Output Speed Sensor. 99% of times late for work or out of work was because of this car.
it was ok for about 200 miles. then the car got stuck in 2nd gear. i was able to manually shift for about 20 miles then my rpms shot up to about 5 and the car got too hot to drive. the sensor for third gear went out and as a darn safety feature it got locked in 2nd. piss me off.....
- kassandra,
Axtell, NE, US
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I was on my way to pick up a new Fuel Pump for my car when I noticed that now the speedometer isn't working. Then my check engine light came on. Then car died, so I waited for 15 min to start the car up. This usually works b/c before I have broken down on the I-10 many times, but if you wait 15 min the car usually starts up. Its bad that I have gotten used to this with car but that is the way its been 5 months after buying it. So now my car isn't even switching gears. I just checked the transmission fluid and its ok so I don't know what is wrong with it. And i'm supposed to be going out of town this weekend. Guess that isn't happening now. Has anyone ever had this problem? Why would the speedometer stop reading? and why would it stop switching u gears? I'm starting to hate this car.
The transmission sensor failed one day in January. I live in Erie, Pa, so you know that winters can be bad. The whole transmission literally froze up. The dealer refused to cover it under waranty.
My car seized in the fast lane of the highway in rush hour traffic in downtown Toronto! It took 45mins for my delaership to contact a tow truck, and another 45mins for the tow truck to show up. I waited 6 hours for the car to be fixed (and paid the $100 warranty deductible) at the dealership. They wouldn't provide me with a courtesy car, and wouldn't give me a ride home because it was too far from the dealership.
Four months later the ABS sensor had to be replaced (again paying the $100 warranty deductible) along with the ignition cylinder (which I had to pay $400 for). Upon getting the car back my stereo didn't work. Now Chrysler is denying responsibility and telling me that I am responsible for the cost of sending the stereo out, the parts, AND the labour. I've contacted Chrysler Canada who refuses to look into it because it isn't a manufacturers defect. Not the service one would expect from a "Five Star Dealership". I am in the process of trading in this car, and needless to say I will not be purchasing another Chrysler vehicle ever again.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My car very is difficult and very bad. It has issues, including a transmission problem.
- Mahanthan S., Toronto, ON, Canada