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.
Living in So. AZ this is not too bad in winter as the car is fine during the day and at night I can wear a jacket. But the summer is fast approaching and this car would be an oven. fortunately the engine blew before I had this problem diagnosed or fixed. I guess I was lucky that the car began to fall apart little by little over a months time and by the time the engine blew it was easy to decide to junk it.
This forum is a great benefit to my nerves as I was in shock over this, the sudden and final demise and the questioning what did I miss, where did I go wrong. The guy who sold me the car last year may have known about this and I should have done my research but I was in a hurry and needed the car asap. The good thing again is that I did not spend any money on this car except for oil changes and gas. Thank you.
air failed to blow from vents, neither the ac or heat worked. not sure what problem is or how much it will be to fix it. tried checking everything from fuses to hoses
Update from Jan 5, 2010: took car to dealer
fan assembly needs replacement
total cost with tax and labor estimated at $430.00
If I actually logged on everytime I had a complaint with this car, I would literally live logged in to this site. I live in AL and it's not cool here in the summer at all! After having the dealer tell me that I could not replace ONLY the corroded posts connecting to the NEW battery, my AC/Heater stopped working. I was told it was the control module and that I had to replace the AC/Heater. I just can't afford it, so I've driven all summer in AL without A/C! Now it's getting colder and I don't have heat. The air will not blow from the front vents. My car is always hot from the heat coming off the engine. I'm trying to hold on, but I'm going to lose it. I'm really NOT happy with this car. I have more complaints. I'll keep posting!
- H P.,
Birmingham, AL, US
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Living in So. AZ this is not too bad in winter as the car is fine during the day and at night I can wear a jacket. But the summer is fast approaching and this car would be an oven. fortunately the engine blew before I had this problem diagnosed or fixed. I guess I was lucky that the car began to fall apart little by little over a months time and by the time the engine blew it was easy to decide to junk it.
This forum is a great benefit to my nerves as I was in shock over this, the sudden and final demise and the questioning what did I miss, where did I go wrong. The guy who sold me the car last year may have known about this and I should have done my research but I was in a hurry and needed the car asap. The good thing again is that I did not spend any money on this car except for oil changes and gas. Thank you.
- altaaz, Tucson, AZ, US