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:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,098 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.
Driver power window motor failed twice, now the window has to be held in place for it to roll up straight and go into place. Also, plastic on driver door under black 'speaker' cracked with no impact. Passenger rear door entire interior door assembly has separated from the metal and has to be 'popped' back in repeatedly. Air conditioner system fails yearly. Multiple reasons. Trunk leaks terribly. Rear air/heat vents don't blow air anymore and the car isn't even 4 years old!
The front power windows fell down without using the controls. There were fuse/wiring shortages, headlight/interior light flickered without warning, the belts, main power train, A/C belt, and the compressor caught fire and the power steering had become inoperative. The doors did not close properly.
All 4 of my power windows have failed to work and have had their motors replaced at least once. The first 5 times were within my warranty and now my front passenger window has stopped working and it is no longer under warranty. My heating and cooling system locks up on occasion and keeps the heater from working. Dealer has never been able to recreate problem so can't service.
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"?"!!
Steering: I started to feel a slight binding in the steering when trying to return wheel to center from a turn. It got progressively worse to the point where I occasionally had to "wrestle" the steering wheel back to center position. It also feels loose, suspension rattles and I've got 4 inches of play at center. Took it to the dealer and was informed it would cost $1200 to fix. Service rep tried to explain that this was pretty common nowadays with the sealed racks and not just Dodge. I've never experienced this type of failure in all of the years I've owned cars and think this is just a poor design that Dodge is keeping mum about. The vehicle is only 3 years old with mostly highway driving. I'm purchasing a used rack from a salvage yard and having Dodge install it for $380 and then I'm selling it. This car is quickly falling apart. Air conditioning: Started hearing a hissing type sound from behind the dash. Soon after A/C did not blow cold air. Control module display also stopped working. Dodge said in order to fix the A/C they had to repair the module. Cost: About $600. I bough a module from a salvage yard and did it myself, saved $500. Then Dodge recharged the system only to have it leak out over the next several days. Brought it back to Dodge where they found a crack in the evaporator. Replacement cost: $500. Power window motor: Right front power window started failing intermittently, then stopped working altogether. Dealer said that the window sometimes gets stuck in the tight weatherstripping due to dirt and grime on the window and I simply need to coax it by my palm pressing down on it while actuating the button. What a bunch of @*$%! rear right window motor was replaced under warranty, this must be a common problem. Dealer wants $200+ to repair. What a racket! I've never had so many major repairs on a relatively new car in my life, and don't plan to ever again if Dodge knows what I mean!!
I purchased a new 99 Dodge Intrepid in June 1999. Within 2 weeks of the purchase, the front passenger window motor burned out and it was replaced by the dealer. When I took the car home, I discovered the front passenger door would not open from the inside. I went back to the dealer, who said a rod was not reattached to the door when the window motor was replaced. They fixed it and the door worked fine. In April of 2000, the left rear window motor burned out and I went back to the dealer to have it replaced. In February of 2001, I went back to the dealer because the transmission would not shift into 2nd gear. I was told the solenoid pack burned out and needed to be replaced. Herb gordon was not very helpful, so I called Chrysler in Michigan and told them the problem. The said to pay for the work and send them the original receipt and they would reimburse me for most of the work. I had the work done and sent the receipt. In July of 2001, the transmission had the same problem. Herb gordon said it was the speed sensor and since they would not do the work nor did they offer to cover any part of the work, I called Chrysler again. They said to have the work done and send the receipt for reimbursement. I did have the work done. Approximately December 2001, the right rear window stopped working and in January of 2002 the driver's window started to work intermittantly. Herb gordon said the rear motor burned out and the driver's motor was going to burn out, so I called Chrysler again. They again said since I was past the original warranty, they would not cover the work. After talking with them, they said they would cover all but $100, but not a rental car even though the work would take a few hours. I learned later the driver's door latch subassembly was going to burn out and I would not be able to use the remote to open the door, only the key. I will not buy another Chrysler product because of the problems I have had with the car, dealer and Chrysler.
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)
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.
3 window motors replaced; dealer stated they had replaced several motors; 2 other customers in same day for same problem. Dealer quickly and professionally took care of problem. Excellent car otherwise.
3 window motors replaced; dealer stated they had replaced several motors; 2 other customers in same day for same problem. Dealer quickly and professionally took care of problem. Excellent car otherwise.
Right rear window does not work from driver console switch or window switch....air conditioner damper does not open to allow cool air to flow....temp control must be turned to hot zone and then brought back to cool zone...air flow cools immediately.
I have noticed upon turning the engine off, when you exit the vehicle and touch the door with your hand or leg comes in contact with lower door frame you get an electrical shock. The driver's side door continues to push the window into the rubber gromet after it has already reached the top, causing the window motor to grind and the window to overextend into the rubber gromet. Both problems were noticed shortly after receipt of the car and have been an ongoing problem.
Transmission hesitates and is sporadic. Has been in for a complete overhaul of the transmission. I still have the problem and have had it in for repair at least 3 other times. The dealer now says they cannot recreate the problem. I have had many people drive my car and they have noticed the rough shifting as well as the hesitant take off. This could be dangerous because you don't know when the transmission will engage and thrust your car forward. The other problem is the power windows. The driver window has a squeak and a grind. The dealer says they fixed it but it is doing it again. The back windows stopped functioning altogether and a part had to be ordered. The dealer did install this part in early April 2000.
This vehicle has been in the dealer 4 times and has 1500 miles. The major problem, was a major water leak or leaks. The vehicle has been out of service for a total of 20 days. After finding a huge puddle on the driver's side floor, dealer was contacted, and vehicle was taken apart inside and out. After dealer performed recommended repairs per technical service bulletin(980710232998), vehicle still leaked. Dealer "sealed" every screw, grommet, and wire that entered firewall. After sending car through car wash six times, vehicle appeared leak-free. It remains to be seen if the many leaks in vehicle have actually been corrected since dealer could not pinpoint the location of any leak.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Barnett, MO, USA