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.
There's a lot that is wrong this car! I keep having to turn my heat up and down so that the car wont overheat! And then there is constant ticking noise in the front of my car by the driver side! It kind of sounds like a bomb and my floor panels are rusting very quickly! I had this car for a year and started to have problems with it last October and then after I paid $1,200 to get the front end fixed, in February my oil, coolant, motor started to tick and go bad! It's a recession and I can't afford to continue to fix this car up! I'm in college and I live on my own! I have to keep duct taping this car along, in order for it to last! The mechanic shop "Lentz" looked at it said that my car only has 7 more months! I'm really disappointed with this car, I thought that dodge intrepid were good cars!
Car overheated and melted the air bleeder. This left me stranded on the highway. Had to get transportation to an auto store to buy part. I then had to drive car home and stop every so ofter for car to cool down before I could continue driving. Then after reaching home I had to locate a mechanic to replace part.
- Elaine B.,
South Bend, IN, US
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There's a lot that is wrong this car! I keep having to turn my heat up and down so that the car wont overheat! And then there is constant ticking noise in the front of my car by the driver side! It kind of sounds like a bomb and my floor panels are rusting very quickly! I had this car for a year and started to have problems with it last October and then after I paid $1,200 to get the front end fixed, in February my oil, coolant, motor started to tick and go bad! It's a recession and I can't afford to continue to fix this car up! I'm in college and I live on my own! I have to keep duct taping this car along, in order for it to last! The mechanic shop "Lentz" looked at it said that my car only has 7 more months! I'm really disappointed with this car, I thought that dodge intrepid were good cars!
- Judi R., Kentwood, MI, US