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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,557 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.
2000 Dodge Intrepid, the consumer was traveling westbound, when his right front tie rod broke causing him to go off to the left side of the roadway striking the concrete median. (Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0344-91) updated 08/06/10
Noticed play in steering getting worse as time went on so I went to a local Firestone to have tires replaced and complete alignment done on vehicle. They replaced the tires but refused to do an alignment because they said there was too much play in the inner tierods and that the steering gear may need to be replaced. They quoted me a price of $300 for each inner tierod and said I would have to find a different shop to replace the rack and pinion because they can not. Car still drifts all over the road and the steering still has play. I refuse to have my two small children in this death trap.
After driving approximately 12 miles to work the car was pulled into a parking space and while straightening the wheels a loud pop was heard and the car had no steering. The inspection revealed that (2) two 1/2 inch threaded bolts (that bolt the tie rods to the steering rack had sheared off. One of the tie rod bushings was gone and the area the bushing was in was extremely worn, requiring replacement. The rack and pinion was replaced on this vehicle at 20,000 miles under warranty. The car was repaired by removing the rack, backing out the old bolt ends and installing new bolts. The one tie rod was replaced. I contacted Chrysler corporation customer service and they offered no help on the repair. The district rep was ask to help and he denied any help. (he did not even look at the damage. I was told that he would not over rule detriot).
2000 Dodge Intrepid with 60,000 miles. The steering failed. It started with a lot of loose play in the steering. Wheel. Currently when driving straight the wheel was upside down. This problem started approximately 10,000 miles ago, complete failure occurred on July 27, 2005. The vehicle became impossible to drive in a short period of time. The vehicle is currently at the dealership, and they have not looked at it. It showed rack and pinion steering failure symptoms. Chrysler was not willing to help with the problem. The vehicle did not go in a straight line, the tires were recently replaced and the vehicle was balanced and aligned. The tie rod was replaced.
Check oil light kept coming on, took to dealer and they repaired problem, two times to get it done. Dealer said oil pressure was fine /28/04 - timing chain failure, only 37,000 miles on car. Bought new in 2000. Engine valves were damaged. Dealer took 2 1/2 weeks to repair lso had to replace tie rod ends.
- Alpena, MI, USA
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While driving at any speed consumer heard a noise coming through the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the technician determined the need for a new engine at consumer's expense of $8,800. The consumer checked the web site and found many similar complaints. There was also a loss of power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they suggested that there was a problem with the rod bearing.
While traveling on the highway, the consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle, causing rack and pinion to go out.. the consumer noticed slack in the steering and rattling in the front at around 75000 miles. The steering became stuck during left and right turns.. the tie rods were replaced and also the rack and pinion needed to be replaced, however the consumer declined the repairs.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bronx, NY, USA