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.
: the contact stated the check engine and oil lights illuminated while driving 35 mph on dry city pavement. A noise was heard prior to the incident. The vehicle was driven home and later towed to an independent repair shop who replaced the engine and transmission.
I have a defective 2.7 L engine in my car. I had just pulled into a driveway when it quit. The timing chain guides broke, and there was so much sludge in the engine it looked like the oil had never been changed. I have always had my oil changed every 3000 miles. I had the engine steamed 7 months prior to this incident for sludge buildup. I also spent around $2000 having every single sensor replaced, as well as all of the hoses in the engine and transmission. I had to have the steering line fixed less than 2 months after I purchased the vehicle. I had no idea that there were so many people with the same engine problems as I have had out of this car. I have lost my job, and my children have missed so many doctor and dentist appointments that I have lost count I still owe 2 years on this car, but how do you pay for something that has turned out to be America's biggest death trap when you can't keep it running?
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. Purchased vehicle with 50, 000 miles on it. The next day drove car and felt vibration in front end. Thought it may be tires. Consumer had the tires balanced and that did not fix the problem. Then, the oil light came on. The pressure gauge came on during idling. Took vehicle back to dealership and they replaced the oil pressure gauge. But, problem still not fixed. The transmission acted funny, when applying brakes vehicle would not slow down, it was like it was still in gear.the steering made noises when turning it to the right or left, a clanking noise. The rear suspension clanked every time hitting a bump. The engine had a high pitched wining. This happened as soon as vehicle was purchased.
2000 Dodge Intrepid bought in April used with 11,000 miles. Since then it has been in shop 9-10 times, mostly consisting of steering problems, such as rack and pinion and the steering coupler. There were other issues, but this was the main concern. One week ago the consumer was involved in an accident, front end impact for which the air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained injuries. No repairs after the accident because there was over $6,000 worth of damage. Emergency brake handle was loose. The dealer determined the it was not connected. The dealer repositioned/reassembled the emergency brake. The key wouldn't come out of the ignition because the shift interlock cable broke. The check engine light illuminated. The dealer replaced the wiring to the brake light switch.
- Granger, IN, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
While driving at 30 mph speedometer failed to work properly. Also the emissions light came on, and the vehicle stalled on the highway. Mechanic informed determined that the transmission computer failed.
I own a 2000 Dodge Intrepid and have had several mechanical problems. I had to have the transmission rebuilt when it was only 3 years old. Just this past Thursday I was driving on the highway and my engine just stopped, causing all powere steering, etc. To go out. I had it towed to a local dealership who told me the engine was locked up and estimated $3100 to rebuild my engine $3900 for used engine and twice as much for a new engine. Grant it, at this point I'm still undecided as to what I'm going to do. The dealership said that my engine overheated and locked up. My car showed no indication of overheating...no lights came on, no temperature gauge reading hot and no signs. My car was driving normally and just stopped.
While driving at a low speed engine stalled. An independent mechanic indicated that the problem could be with the transmission or engine. Please provide any additional information.
Purchased a 2000 Dodge Intrepid from dadeland Dodge in miami, fl. The car is qualified for the lemon law 3 months after purchase, but unaware of such a law and never filed. Now it is too late. It is now I decided to take action since the engine blew on 04/12/03. My brother in law was driving and the engine just stopped without warning. I called for a tow truck to be taken to the dealer. The car has about 65,000 miles, and the extended warranty should have covered the repairs; however, the dealer declined. I ended up paying $2,714.87 to get the engine rebuilt. In addition, I also don't have a car for 2 months, and disputed with the dealer and extended warranty company during that span.
I was driving on the highway at 60 mph when suddenly I began to hear a whining noise. I thought it was a belt. I immediately slowed down. A few minutes later, the car began to have a problem shifting, almost like the gearing couldn't catch. Then, my check engine light came on. I pulled off at the next exit. Upon stopping at the red light, I had extreme trouble trying to get going again. The transmission just wouldn't work. I finally got going enough to turn the corner, and then coasted to an auto garage. Basically, the transmission failed. I have been the single owner of the car from the start and know it was maintained well. At 65,000 miles, I don't expect to have to put in a new $2000 transmission. This is discusting.
I have a 2000 Dodge Intrepid, purchased at 54,000 miles. I have already replaced the transmission and the front wheel bearings roar very bad, A/C went out needs evaporator, and the car rarely starts unless you rock the whole car, I am very displeased and no one will trade it in, when the transmission went out the car pulled to the left and I ran off the road.
I have found an excellent and informative website against daimler Chrysler at www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com for anyone who would like more information mainly in regard to Intrepid, 300M, concorde, lhs premature engine, steering, transmission and other common failures. I have experienced many of these problems myself and daimler Chrysler simply does not care, I could have even been killed in one instance. After own another vehicle and putting nearly 30,000 miles on it I have not had any of the ridiculous problems experienced with Chrysler's Dodge brand of vehicles. There is a lot of information consumers need to know that daimler Chrysler does not want you to know about these vehicles and their common problems Chrysler ignores, some of which are potential safety concerns such as the defective seat belt design Chrysler continues to use and defective steering design and or components that can cause sudden looseness or change of response in steering, which can lead to a serious accident. These guys have been receiving complaints daily about these problems and have been referring consumers to the NHTSA, I hope that in turn the NHTSA will add this to the list of their complaints so others will also know about this. Thank you very much for your time.
Metal chips were found in the oil from the transmission and it had to be replaced. Car only had 30,000 miles on it. I got the car with 21,000 miles on it. Now the car has 50,000 miles on it and the transmission needs to be replaced again.
My transmission went out on me on 11/22/02. I got up on a long birdge called the buckman bridge with my 3 children and 2 nephews coming home from school when the car wouldn't move. I was very terrified because I could have been rear ended and knocked off of the side of the bridge. It was very cold on that night and me and the 5 children had to walk down a bridge at night with no side rails on it. I had to call a tow truck to tow it to my house. I had a mechanic do a diagnostic test and it read a transmission code. So, therefore, I had it towed to transmission shop that reprinted the transmission was gone out and several components had to be replaced. Now, I'm out $2000 dollars for a car I have had for 10 months. After talking to several of my co-workers at least 4 of them know someone that owns a 2000 Dodge interpid and has had this same problem within the last month. I'm a single mother and thought I was getting a dependable car. I have since searched the internet and have found that Dodge/Chrysler has experienced alot of complaints about transmission problems and I can't believe that it going to take someone dying because of failure of transmission for this to be resolved. Please advise me on actions I can take.
Also experiencing engine problems, all four window reglators replaced, and door panels need replacement, and was never notified of recall on seat belt latches.
Failure of transmission input sensor caused transmission to lock into 2nd gear at 60 mph, causing a rapid deceleration to 35 mph w/O applying the brakes. This nearly caused a rear end collision. Dealer service knew of the problem; said they had lots of incidents of the same problem due to heat, and replaced input sensor with a newer version.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mobile, AL, USA