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.
2.0
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,410 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.
Flapping noise in engine, then without warning, the Intrepid shut down and would not restart. This was the first car I ever bought and I bought it used. Obviously, I have no warranty on it. The car broke down yesterday. My mechanic said it's the timing chain and he's checking to see if there's any valve damage. If so, he said it would be cheaper to replace the whole engine rather than repair it. My wife and I work two different schedules and need our second vehicle. I can't afford the repair.
White smoke was emanating from the engine motor upon take off. Dealership indicated that the valve cover gasket and seals needed to be replaced because they were leaking. Vehicle was taken to another dealership to get a second opinion. They indicated that it was the PCV valve, and this was a common failure with these model vehicles.
Dear sir: My Dodge Intrepid engine seized up on me while driving on 5/27/04 in the middle of a busy road and someone almost hit me as my car stopped sudennly, plus cars started to pass me on a one lane road which was a dangerous situation. I took the car to my mechanic, who diagnosed a blown engine with sludge but it had a full oil pan. He said the car had full oil but the engine was not getting oil so it blew so it is a defective product. It is a dangerous product as well. I bought this car about a year ago thinking it had a life of about 10 more years and it was in great condition. I maintained the car as recommended per the owners manual and had it in for service including oil changes every 3000 miles or 3 months. I took care of this car but Dodge did not take care of me by selling a car with a defective engine. I will do whatever I can to punish Dodge for what they did to me and to recoup my losses. I would appreciate any help you could offer me. Thanks, keith barnes.
- Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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- Hendersonville, NC, USA