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.
It just makes the car not very attractive and it always looks dirty. Okay, I'm getting depressed about my not so dependable transportation, so all in all, here it is, or at least some of it: The car dies while driving and won't start again for about 15 or 20 minutes. Were you ever able to find the cause of the problem and if so, what was it, if you don't mind my asking? I have experienced many other strange and annoying problems since my husband bought the car in November of 2001. The interior lights begin flickering for no apparent reason while idling or driving, the rubber seal stuff around the door windows has come loose, and been replaced, but still does it, the timing chain suddenly went out of it, making an awful racket sound when it did, the air conditioning works now and then and has a terrible odor, the defrosters has the same odor, the check engine light comes on and sometimes stays on for days and some times for just a blink, and although we have replaced the sending unit and have always kept the oil changed regularly, it leaks, it burns and it smells and since this last problem with it dying frequently, it also smokes like crazy. I could go on and on. It just seems rather strange that there are so many problems, but so few solutions to them with this vehicle. Thank you very much in advance for your response to this matter. Don't get me wrong, I still like Dodge for the most part, I just wish I could afford to buy a new one, but not an Intrepid, of course.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
It just makes the car not very attractive and it always looks dirty. Okay, I'm getting depressed about my not so dependable transportation, so all in all, here it is, or at least some of it: The car dies while driving and won't start again for about 15 or 20 minutes. Were you ever able to find the cause of the problem and if so, what was it, if you don't mind my asking? I have experienced many other strange and annoying problems since my husband bought the car in November of 2001. The interior lights begin flickering for no apparent reason while idling or driving, the rubber seal stuff around the door windows has come loose, and been replaced, but still does it, the timing chain suddenly went out of it, making an awful racket sound when it did, the air conditioning works now and then and has a terrible odor, the defrosters has the same odor, the check engine light comes on and sometimes stays on for days and some times for just a blink, and although we have replaced the sending unit and have always kept the oil changed regularly, it leaks, it burns and it smells and since this last problem with it dying frequently, it also smokes like crazy. I could go on and on. It just seems rather strange that there are so many problems, but so few solutions to them with this vehicle. Thank you very much in advance for your response to this matter. Don't get me wrong, I still like Dodge for the most part, I just wish I could afford to buy a new one, but not an Intrepid, of course.
- B B., Greenfield, OH, US