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:
31,102 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.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. Ever since the contact has owned the vehicle, both the driver and passenger side windows have malfunctioned. She cannot roll the windows down after they have been rolled up. The dealer stated that this type of failure was a normal occurrence. The manufacturer was not notified. The current mileage was 100,133 and failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
For the past 3 or 4 years now I have been having engine related problems with my car. Recently things got worse. My heat will not work unless the car is moving, grayish spoke coming from the exhaust pipe and overheating. I went to a website that was talking about my type of car and the many engine troubles other people are having. The website claimed that I could receive help with getting my car fix due to the many defects with the engines of these cars. The website described everything my car is doing now.
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
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