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.
The car was working fine with no major mechanical problems, I had replaced the brakes about a month ago and the oil at the same time. I left the car in park and left it running while I ran inside. I came back out, and went to put the car in reverse. It made a loud bang and promptly shut down. I had it towed to my mechanic who said that the 2.7L engine is an interference engine, which basically makes it impossible to fix. He told me that it would be at least $3500 to fix. On a car that is worth about $1000. I firmly believe that Chrysler is aware of this situation and refuses to acknowledge that this engine is a piece of crap! I'm lucky in the fact that I can have someone to help me attain another vehicle, but I know many others are not.
Car was purchased with rebuilt 2.7 L engine at 122 K miles.
Oil was changed every 3000 miles but timing chain broke with no warning whatsoever at about 135K miles.
It will cost at least $2000 to repair this engine. This is my son's car, and he doesn't have the money to fix it, so he is without a car for the foreseeable future.
It is inexcusable for an engine to lose a timing chain under the circumstances it did.
Taking a 2yr and 5yr old to Florida at Christmas to visit grandma after terrible divorce... made it 325 miles and the timing chain let loose. We all know the end to this story... Big repair bill, huge inconvenience, AND NO SUPPORT FROM DODGE!!! Funny- someone super glued every single lock at the dodge dealer that night- 18k to fix every vehicle and the buildings... And many of Chrysler's head honchos have cabins on Mullet and Burt lake in northern Michigan, just in case anyone wants to go join em for a bbq.
The Dodge Intrepid is sitting in the front of my home. It has had excellent maintenance. It no longer runs because the timing chain broke without warning doing major engine damage. Who would think that the timing chain would break on a 2000 car? Needless to say estimates to replace the motor range from $5000 to $7000. I do not have the money to repair the car.
I recently got a small inheritance so I decided to pay off my Dodge Intrepid so I wouldn't have a car payment while I was in school, I knew I would have to depend on this car for a long time so I made sure to get the oil changed right when it needed it everytime, now the timing chain is broke and I cant afford to fix it. Im extremely upset to hear of all the other people who have had this trouble, I cant believe Chrysler wont address this problem. I'm a single mom trying to get through school and now I have no car after paying 6,000 just last year to pay this car off, I guess im just screwed.
- Jennifer R.,
Florence, KY, Pacific Islands (US)
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My mom bought this car after leasing it for three years, now i am driving it, and i was going to either sell this one or trade it in for a new car, but i figured its paid off so why not drive it. didn't really have the money for a new car anyway, well should have listened to my instincts. of course yesterday it breaks down on me on the highway, it started smoking , engine light came on and then the oil light came on too, i was able to pull off to the side, but it wouldn't start afterwards, so i had it towed. the guys tell me that its the water pump that broke and they needed to replace that first in order to see if there was damage inside the engine. and well after cost of $500 the engine was still dead, and of course it was the timing chain that broke and i would need a new engine, i haven't replaced it yet, but they found a used engine with 36,000 mile on it with cost of $1500 any my car if i was to sell it would only get about $5000, so i am still thinking about it, because total cost is like $3000, but i will NEVER buy American made car, NISSAN seems the best, my boyfriend has 146000 miles on his and it hasn't given him any major problems. DON'T EVER BUY AMERICAN MADE CARS, my boyfriend always said that and i never really listened to him, but now i see why. plus i don't know if dodge will even pay for it , something tells me they wont, i called them up to see when the chain should be replaced, and they said every 30,000 miles, so i am guessing they won't do anything about it, any one know?
I am a mother of two who lives pay check to pay check and unfortunately bought a used 2000 intrepid to have a reliable car. Little did I know that this would soon be the biggest mistake. I just bought the car used 3 mths ago and now I need a new engine. While driving @ 70 mph on the highway the timing chain broke. Thank god my kids were already @ school and the sitter. I got my car towed to hear the most horrible news ever "needs a new engine." I still owe $4,000 on the car and it would be anywhere from $3,000 - 4,000 to fix. So now I make a payment on a car that doesn't even run. I can't afford to get it fixed or get a new car. I am just so sick from this matter. I hope and pray that Dodge would become responsible for this problem.
two years ago had to spend 4200.00 to repair/rebuild engine after timing chain broke and took about everything out with it! (didnt have much choice but to fix since still owed too much on it) NOW, two years later, car not sounding right... take to mechanic and he says timing chain is about to go, need to fix asap!!!!! UNBELEIVEABLE!!!! how can this happen again! i have faithfully used only synthetic oil and changed every three months. i am soo frustrated
INTREPID RAN PERFECT WITH NO NOISES, SMOKE, MIL, NOTHING. STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND IT DIED. I POPPED THE HOOD AND THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE THROUGH THE VALVE COVER. I OWN AN ENGINE SHOP SO I DID THE WORK MYSELF. AT FIRST I PLANNED TO CHANGE THE MAIN TIMING CHAIN AND VALVE COVER AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. AS I DISASSEMBLED THE ENGINE I FOUND ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. WATER PUMP JUNK, ALL INTAKE VALVES BENT, ROLLER TAPPETS WORE OUT, ETC. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DESIGN FLAW AND CHRYSLER NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING.
My wife was going to work after she'd came home for lunch. When she started the car it made a loud popping noise, but it was still running,. She made it about half a city block away and the car died. I popped the hood and the cover was busted. The timing chain had busted. The mechanic said that a bearing had locked up, thats what caused the chain to break.
I am horrified that this has happened, and apparently Daimler Chrysler is aware of it and is doing nothing about it. I've contacted them and have been told that I needed to submit evidence of oil changes and maintenance for the past seven years, which I did. They are saying that the receipts aren't evidence enough because they sometimes just say "Dodge" without specifics or don't have my name on them. This is because I have the car serviced locally where I'm not gouged for oil changes like at the dealership. This car has 74,468 miles on it and now the engine is blown. I'm disgusted.
March 6, 2007, I was on my way home from work. I begin hearing a squealing sound, but I wasn't sure if it was my vehicle or one beside me. I went on and drove onto the interstate, still hearing the loud noise I finally slowed down and turned my radio completely off. Next thing I know a oil light popped on and my car began driving unnormal, as I went for my brakes I could not even push down on them to stop. I thought to myself, "My freaking engine has locked up!" By this time, evening rolled around, it was getting dark and I had to locate a inexpensive wrecker service to tow my vehicle to a shop. Come to find out my timing chain came off and busted my overhead. IT WAS OIL EVERYWHERE!!! No one wants to work on it and when I finally found a mechanic, he told me it would cost so much to repair I would be better off buying a new vehicle. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER DODGE NOR WOULD I RECOMMEND THEM. The cars may look nice, but the quality SUCKS!!!
Owned vehicle for 3 months when Oil Light starting flickering. Started researching problems online and found that the 2.7 liter Dodge engine has wide problem reporting on dozens of web sites. I followed recommendations of dealer, other mechanics, and online forums. Engine was flushed using a recommended method to remove sludge and build-up of carbon. Was told by mechanics and other 2.7 liter engine remanufacturers (Accurate Engines) that the original engine is a "Sludger". Oil drain holes and lubricating system was inadvertantly/poorly designed whereas it Bakes/Burns the engine oil Accurate engine claims they have re-engineered the engines to overcome the problem and by using far superior parts than OEM on the 2.7 ltr engine. Accurate representative I spoke with advises only using a Synthetic Oil 5w-30 or 10w-40. Synthetic Oil holds up better to high heat and less likely to sludge. The Intrepid has a high appearance factor in its favor. But the cost of repairing the vehicle myself will exceed $3500K. Not to mention the time and labor ..... I've already carefully pulled the old motor and tore it apart, it is a mess .... 2 broken pistons (shattered rods), damaged heads and is not even useable for core trade-in to Accurate Engines. So I'll have to an extra $400.00 for non-core return. Then the expense of shipping to Alaska. I've taught High School Automotive for many years and have declared this vehicle as LEMON. My sons and other students are seeing first hand as to why. They are also seeing that Chrysler is "Dodge-ing" the LEMON label which is clearly becoming a "fact" or factor as more of these engine failures are reported. What's sad is many folks are still making payments on their 2.7 ltr Dodge vehicles while seeking other dependable transportation.
I now have to buy a new car after only driving 60,000 miles. I will never buy a Dodge again. This is the most expensive car per mile I have ever owned.
I was driving up to a very busy intersection, I stopped, and when I went to go the car wouldn't move. I got it towed to my car mechanic and he said the engine is done-for because of the timing belt, I might as well get a new car. The highest I could get out of a salvage yard was $125, and the guy said that if it had been a Chevy he would have given me at least $500, but he has to many Intrepids sitting on his lot! I will never own a Chrysler product again!
My car was running perfectly and out of no where the timing chain broke, with no warning. Car has well maintained with regular oil changes and maintenance. Through much research I have found out that this is not that uncommon with this car. If I did not have a warranty on this car it would not be getting fixed, due to the fact that the repair costs are more than the car is blue booked at.
My car was running perfectly. I kept all the regular oil changes. I did not have even a flat tire because I change the tires at the time given by the book. Now my mechanic is telling me that my engine is blown because of oil sludge that broke the timing chain and my car engine need to be replace. I feel that I've been cheated. I pay off my car in 2005, and I was so happy because my car mileage was only under 40,000. I had though that I have protected my $25,000 investment. NOW WHAT, I DONT HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO GO TO MY JOB AND PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY BECAUSE SOMEONE DID NOT TAKE THE TIME TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE SELLING A DEFECTIVE CAR. I NEED SOME ANSWERS AND I NEED THEM FAST.
Car ran perfect. Well maintained as per manual. Engine failed at 41,000 miles due to timing chain defect. Chrysler not willing to take any responsibility. My car and situation has been evaluated by several auto mechanics, mechanical engineers, and engine rebuilders -- all have agreed that the engine is defective and that this is a common problem. Cost to replace with a remanufactured engine is $6,000. Basically, a beautiful car that appears in mint condition is ready for the junkyard.
I OWE MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED, SO IT JUST SITS THERE WHILE I PAY MONTH AFTER MONTH. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW UNTIL RECENTLY THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURENCE FOR THIS ENGINE.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The car was working fine with no major mechanical problems, I had replaced the brakes about a month ago and the oil at the same time. I left the car in park and left it running while I ran inside. I came back out, and went to put the car in reverse. It made a loud bang and promptly shut down. I had it towed to my mechanic who said that the 2.7L engine is an interference engine, which basically makes it impossible to fix. He told me that it would be at least $3500 to fix. On a car that is worth about $1000. I firmly believe that Chrysler is aware of this situation and refuses to acknowledge that this engine is a piece of crap! I'm lucky in the fact that I can have someone to help me attain another vehicle, but I know many others are not.
- Tiffany C., Eau Claire, WI, US