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.

9.5

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,680
Average Mileage:
101,850 miles
Total Complaints:
46 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace engine (40 reports)
  2. not sure (5 reports)
  3. changed oil pump in motor (1 reports)
2000 Dodge Intrepid engine problems

engine problem

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2000 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #6

Jul 142008

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am so disappointed in this car. I bought it used and I keep the oil changed tuned up you name it and all of a sudden this car starts knocking and throwing oil I pull over the side of the road and lift the hood and the Double overhead Cam has exploded literally. I am a single mom with two kids and Dodge can't help they won't at least I have to even find my own motor. Give me a break no wonder that American Cars are no longer number 1 and they will not be as long as they have that crappy motor in the cars. When my car was towed in there were 6 Dodge Intrepid s just like mine within a couple of years of each other with the same problems. Would you not think that the company would replace the engines when I have had 6 mechanics to tell me they are the worst cars in the world with the 2.7 motors in them.

- Lenora O., Seneca, SC, US

problem #5

Jun 022008

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,313 miles

it's bullshit that Chrysler can't build a car with a 2.7 before 2006 when they finally decides to fix their f*ck up. now people that have a pre-2006 are getting screwed on repair bills. i mean i don't mind getting screwed but i wish they would have bought dinner first or acted like they care. i have put an ass load of money in this car now this morning on the way to work it shoot sh*t not a happy camper at all

- John B., Nokomis, IL, US

problem #4

Jun 012008

(reported on)

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

I bought the car used in Sept 2006 from my sister who was the original owner. It only had 30,000 miles on it. The "check engine" light had come on shortly before I purchased the car, but the dealership replaced it stating it was a bad sensor. At 31,900 mileage, the oil light had come on, and I promptly took the car to my mechanic. He contacted the dealership and was told that these oil light sensors were faulty and needed to be replaced. I paid to have it replaced. On Friday evening March 14, 2008 with 39,250 mileage, with no warning the engine began making a terrible clanking noise. I checked the oil (I didn't know what else to do) and found the oil level was a bit low. When I opened the crank case to add a quart of oil, the cap was full of sludge. The next morning I took the car in to have the engine cleaned out and have fresh oil and a new oil filter. However, this did not quiet the noise. So I took it to my mechanic on Monday March 17. He eventually was able to determine that the timing chain tensioner would have to be replaced. After being without the car for 11 days (he had to order parts 3 different times due to being sent the wrong parts once and then receiving a bad part) and over $1200 later, I finally got my car back. I was able to drive it for 9 days before the clanking noise began again. I took the car back to my mechanic yet again. He was on the phone to Chrysler for advice, and, per their instructions, he added a couple of additives to the crankcase. This was supposed to get the tensioner to work properly. He told me to drive the car through the weekend. I would know by the end of the weekend. The noise continued, getting worse, not better. As I got to work on Sunday April 20, 2008, my car engine seized. I had to have the car towed to my mechanic. After several days, he finally dropped the oil pan and found all kinds of gunk. He said the engine was shot, there had been no oil pressure. He was trying to locate an engine for me, but they are extremely costly. When he found out about the problem, my son-in-law called Chrysler. They told him that I needed to have the car towed to the dealership so they could do a diagnostics on it. So I did. They determined the engine had to be replaced. (Just what my mechanic told me.) They said the rod bearings were bad. It would cost me $5400. Chrysler was "kind enough" to offer me a new engine at $3500. But not before I had to prove to them that I had the car serviced regularly. (I was able to prove with receipts that the oil and filter and been changed 5 times in less than 10,000 miles.) I still owe $3500 on the car. I just spent almost $1400 in the last couple of months for repairs and 2 tows. And because I have a lien on the car, I am paying for car insurance on a car that I cannot drive. If I add up all of this with the cost of a new engine, I will be paying $8400 (not including the interest I am paying with my car payments) on a car that at best is worth about $5000 if it was in excellent condition. I am single, working hard and trying to make ends meet. I do not have the money to have the car fixed. When I spoke to Carol at the Chrysler Corp trying to make her understand my frustration about this issue, she had the audacity to tell me that I "needed to take responsibility for the problems in my own life."!!!!!!!!! This problem was not something I brought on myself. Anyway, I now have to arrange to have my car towed (again) back to my home where it will sit for however long while I pay on it. Because I am making car payments, I do not have room in my budget for another car loan. So I am walking, taking the bus, bumming rides. This has been beyond inconvenient. Oh, and I wonder, will the dealership now bill be for their diagnostics? Once I get the car to my home, I will have had to have it towed 3 times. Oh, another interesting question. If the car had to have both the "check engine" light and the oil sensor replaced, why did neither give me any warning of a problem? Hmmm. My mechanic had made a comment he was told from an independent company that the oil sensor light had been modified so it would not come on at 4lbs of pressure, but, rather 2lbs of pressure. If there should be any class action suits out there against Chrysler, please contact me. As so many others, this had hurt me financially. They should be punished. There is no doubt in my mind that they are fully aware of this faulty engine. Not only should those of us who have been robbed of our money, peace of mind, sleep, etc for this worthless car be compensated fairly, Chrysler should be taught a lesson for defrauding so many consumers. I will never drive, own, rent or buy another Dodge or Chrysler again. Incidentally, Chrysler is also affiliated with Mercedes and Mitsubishi.

- Jan M., Evansville, IN, US

problem #3

May 062008

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was on my way to college finals and all of a sudden while driving 60mph my car shuts off. No warning, no light, just turns off. I had no power steering and very little brakes. I could have killed myself or someone else. When I got the car to the side of the road I tried to restart it to no avail. It now makes very loud rattle noises and squeaks. The motor is shot. Please do not buy this car, I would hate to have someone else wind up in a situation like mine. The cost to repair is anywhere from 2,000.00 to 5,000.00. Not worth it.

- Stacy A., Niles, OH, US

problem #2

Aug 222007

Intrepid 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

what a piece of dog sh*t! I now know why their name is "dodge" because that's what they do.I used my car for collateral for a loan,thinking that there was only 70,000 miles on it,etc.I had to borrow the money to fix it , as I am trying to support my family on work comp.DO NOT BUY A DODGE! NEVER AGAIN! CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT TIME!

- Thomas J., Owatonna, MN, US

problem #1

Aug 072006

(reported on)

Intrepid 2.7LV6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

in the motor the water pump the bolt that hold the water pump came lose and where i had to replace the motor in the car

- lindaca, Stockton, CA, US

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