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.
1.8
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
93,536 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 heard bang and car lost power and began to tap. Immediately pulled over and shut car down. Upon inspection found motor was full of anti-freeze. Water pump shaft bearings broke into "pieces" flooding engine with anti-freeze. Installed new water pump and timing chain, but too much damage was already done. Car repair costs too much to fix, have been advised by mechanics that problems will persist with this 2.7 motor. Additionally, air conditioning fails repeatedly. Power window unit fails repeatedly. Front end problems. We tried to have the problem fixed, but apparently there is no "fix" for this engine.
No events leading up to incident. 2000 Dodge Intrepid 2.7 motor just stopped working while car was moving with no warning. Had towed said it was due to engine sludge. Car was regularly serviced and this shouldn't have happened. I have read all the other 2.7 horror stories and I expect Dodge to do something about it.
Was on vacation drove about 300 miles Dodge interpid made noise and my car stalled. Was told by mechanic motor blown. Took wal-mart to court because the change my oil regliously. It was found they was at no falut. I had my car was repaired cost me over $7000. I stll owe, $5000. On vehicle.
Complete engine failure due to seizure of bearing on water pump and related damage to timing chain and engine intake and exhaust valves -- cost to repair exceeds value of vehicle -- vehicle milewage equals 85,000 miles age of vehicle equals four model years
- Albany, NY, USA
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Overheating, motor died out while driving on the highway. Struggled a lot to keep control. Engine is no longer useful. Got an estimate for $14,000 on a new engine. Vehicle has 88,000 miles. Very upset....
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lyndhurst, NJ, USA