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:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,571 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.
While driving at any speed, the consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. While turning right the driver had difficulty maintaining control of the steering wheel. The steering wheel jerked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The steering and the tires were no longer providing support for the vehicle. The consumer was told that the steering rod was bent.
While driving and without warning the vehicle's tire would not grip on the wet road. The incident happened when the road was wet and while the consumer was going around a curve. The vehicle also developed a vibration in the steering wheel. The dealer was unable to fix the vehicle and suggested the vehicle was like this when the it was purchased. (tire model/radial GT)
Car was 4 months old - driving down I-70 and had a blowout. The tire split clean in to. Was told that I must of hit a pot hole. On 9/13/99 I had taken the car into the dealership and told them the tire was losing air. They said they couldn't find a problem, aired up the tire and I left. Little over a month later I had a blow out. I did not hit a pot hole. The tire was defective. I had to replace the tire with my own money. (tiresize: P205/70R15)
- St. Peters, MO, USA
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The fact that I had 2 flat tires a month apart concerned me, since Firestone has been under investigation. The Firestone dealer was unable to provide an explanation for my flats, and there were no obstructions or road hazards to cause these problems. Both instances were identical, even though they were a month apart: It was the sound of the flat that alerted me to the problem, I had no trouble controlling the car or pulling to the side of the road. At this point, I just fear when and where the next flat will occur!( dot number: Ejytchk179 tire size: Ft70C )
I purchased a 1999 Dodge Intrepid in February of 1999 (new) from santa rosa Dodge in santa rosa, California. This vehicle was equipped with Goodyear quantum series tires. During the scheduled 6,000-mile service and in the process of rotating all four of my tires, it was discovered that one of the tires had developed a 4" diameter bulb in it on the interior. I was advised to take it into a Goodyear dealer and have it replaced as it was covered under their warranty and not DaimlerChrysler's. this Goodyear dealer instantly stated that the damage was caused by some sort of road hazard and was not covered by their warranty. I subsequently contacted Goodyear in akron, Ohio and they suggested I get a second opinion, which I did. In addition, after a very brief inspection, I was told the same thing. Apparently, there was a tear on the interior wall of the tire. I do not believe that a mild bump with a well rounded curb could not cause a tear on the outer wall of the tire let alone cause a tear on the interior wall of the tire. I believe that these tires were defective in their construction, as Goodyear no longer sells these tires.( dot number: Tire size: 15 )
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Galveston, TX, USA