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:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,323 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.
On or about the first week of October my engine light came on. The engine showed no signs of failure but the transmission seemed a little sluggish. During the first or second week of November I finally got a chance to take the car to the dealership. They did a diagnostic on the car and found nothing. The light came back on the same day I picked it up and along with that my air bag light came on and the RPM and speedometer gauges stopped working. The gauges do not work when air bag light is lite. The dealership is aware of the problem and I will be taking the car back to dealership 11/27/00. I will keep you informed of the progress.
Transmission failed at seven hundred miles. Vehicle was hauled to the dealer, after inspection it was determined that pieces of transmission came apart which possibly caused additional problems with. Also, when driving brakes kick in without operator depressing brake pedal brake light illuminated on the dash.
When driving at any speed or at any given time vehicle will cut off without prior warning which caused loss of all power. Engine checklight illuminated on the dash. Dealer believed problem was linked to battery terminal or transmission.
While turning off of highway onto exit ramp vehicle kept turning off while continuing home; tow truck came by to pick up vehicle and carry it to a dealer. Vehicle was inspected and had transmission replaced.
- Stafford, VA, USA
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- Brandon, MS, USA