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.
My name is David Koczak a life long Dodge owner and my Dodge 2000 Intrepid 4 door is a beautiful car, except the engine. 2.7 my first blown engine was when the car had only 69,462 miles. Dodge replace the engine but sent us a check for $5,897 and to replace it cost us around $6,220.
My new problem is that after 75,155 miles on the car and carefully making sure the oil changes, tires, shocks, trans fluid has all been done, my engine has now a blown head gasket. Come on, Dodge can't make a engine run longer than 75,000 miles. You can check all I'm saying with the vin#. I am anticipating on your answer I would like some compensation for this I'm currently totally disabled can not afford a new vehicle. Would someone look into my complaint and at least admit these engines are not worth the money we have to spend on them? I believe when they installed my new engine it was under warranty.
Its interesting over the years I've been reading these stories on Autobeef about this car and never thought one day I'll be writing my own story. Anyway to make it short and sweet... the head gasket went - oil is inside the the engine and also inside the fuel injectors.. it will cost more then 3k to fix this car that is only worth at most 4k - which doesn't make sense... All and all the body and car interior was pretty nice & roomy - I felt pretty safe inside this car - not like alot off the Japaneses tin can cars that are sheeted by a maybe 4mm coat of aluminum... The engine didn't really give me much of any problems over the years have traveled cross country in it on several occasions over the years... its to bad it didn't last longer like 150k or 190k. And too bad they don't make this style anymore...
On the highway and my engine just turns off. It started a couple of times but never stayed running. I hooked up my analyzer and got a DTC P1391 - intermittent loss of cam position sensor or crankshaft position sensor. Since the cam sensor was in the front of the engine and easily accessible i disconnected it, started up and drove home (10 miles). Here's the good part, bought the sensor removed the old and that's when i found the coolant in my oil. I popped the plug and drained the oil and just for fun i replenished the coolant reservoir with water and watched it come out my oil pan. Crap. I guess i can't complain,it did it's job and now it's time to put it out to pasture.
So I live in AKRON, Ohio..right?? We buy this car from Kelly's First Class Auto Sales in Massillon, Ohio and it's just soooo nice..(note sarcasm). Well, we decide to go on a family vacation to VA for the weekend. We are driving along 77S in WV and it's running smoothly...then all of the sudden..loses speed..we smell burnt oil...AND the damn f*cking piece of sh*t car just STOPS running. It won't restart. It won't even f*cking turn over. SOOO I spent 3172.50...my ENTIRE savings..to buy a car that is DEAD. The dealer told us (me, my fiancee, and my aunt all HEARD him say) that he had his "mechanic" look over the car and it is in great RUNNING condition. Ready to go. F*cking lying ass piece of sh*t. Sooo GREAT that it DIES on the 15th day we own it. RIGHT?? Well now what do we do?? Ohio Lemon Law only covers WARRANTIED vehicles. He NEVER offered us the extended warranty...I've got witnesses to this. Sooo...anyone have any suggestions???
This car was running fine and all of a sudden, Poof! I had to fix my head gaskets, this requires taking out the entire transmission and then when it is fixed, if it is not put back in properly you will have problems with belts breaking!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My name is David Koczak a life long Dodge owner and my Dodge 2000 Intrepid 4 door is a beautiful car, except the engine. 2.7 my first blown engine was when the car had only 69,462 miles. Dodge replace the engine but sent us a check for $5,897 and to replace it cost us around $6,220.
My new problem is that after 75,155 miles on the car and carefully making sure the oil changes, tires, shocks, trans fluid has all been done, my engine has now a blown head gasket. Come on, Dodge can't make a engine run longer than 75,000 miles. You can check all I'm saying with the vin#. I am anticipating on your answer I would like some compensation for this I'm currently totally disabled can not afford a new vehicle. Would someone look into my complaint and at least admit these engines are not worth the money we have to spend on them? I believe when they installed my new engine it was under warranty.
- kozyus2, New Port Richey, FL, US