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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,000 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 electric door lock mechanism has failed on thre of the four doors of my 2000 Dodge Intrepid. The last time the door could not be opened from the inside. Another problem is the the clamp on the passenger side tie rod does not clear the opening in the wheel well liner and looks like it could hang up on the metal edge. On my car it abraded the insulation off the baterry cables that run right through this area. This seems like it could start a fire of short out the electrical system. Dealer said that's the way it is.
While driving vehicle started to smoke under the hood. Consumer stopped and opened the hood, and saw fire. The fire was put out with water. Manufacturer sent a technician to assess the vehicle. The technician could not determine the cause of fire because the vehicle was burned beyond recognition.
2000 Dodge caught fire and burned to the ground. Dodge sent an investigator who checked the vehicle and found that Dodge was at fault due to faulty fuse panel under the hood and Dodge would not replace vehicle. Vehicle was totaly destroyed and this happened while I was driving, I could have been killed. They are awair of this problem but will not do anything about it until someone has enough money to fight them in court and win.
Upon hitting a deer T electrical box split open, and caused a fire, burning entire car. Airbags did not go off, and anti-lock brakes locked up for at least 6 feet.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Milford , CT, USA