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.
7.0
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,000
Average Mileage:
82,750 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (3 reports)
replace sway bar, CV joints, ball joints (1 reports)
they said when i had the rack and pinon replaced the strut plate got messed up but it wont cause anymore damage and not to fix until the shocks go bad. but anytime you turn all the way to the left it makes loud popping noise
It's me again...I had been hearing a "clicking" noise when I turned my steering wheel. I drove the car to the mechanics and was told that I needed to replace the "boot and axle" on the right front side of the car. The noise was from the "boot" (looked like an accordion to me) which was cracked. Of course you can't just replace what's broken on this car, you also have to replace all the other parts that are connected to it to! It was replaced, but the noise is still there! Now I'm being told I need to replace the rack and pinion. I'm still "clicking". I don't know how long I can take it. I've increased the volume on my radio to drown it out. Cost...$0.00!
Going back about 4 years ago, my Intrepid started to make a clunking sound from the front end. I had the front struts replaced including the rubber bushings between them and the spring, but this did not solve the problem. It's most noticeable when going over bumps at 10-30 MPH and always does it, not just intermittently. I've checked the lower ball joints and CV joints and axles and can not find anything obvious.
the front end of my car just fell apart. i don't drive like an animal.... but, i noticed a clunking in the front, i thought it was the struts, and my brakes were like, vibrating really bad. i brought it to the shop AGAIN, and my guy said the sway bar linkage was broke, my ball joints were bad, and i need cv joints. now, i know my guy is honest. so he fixed everything and now the car drives like a dream
- Star J.,
Escanaba, MI, US
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they said when i had the rack and pinon replaced the strut plate got messed up but it wont cause anymore damage and not to fix until the shocks go bad. but anytime you turn all the way to the left it makes loud popping noise
- alaina, Pgh, PA, US