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.
While there was nothing wrong with the AC system itself, the computer would decide how much cool air could be allowed in with the automatic thermostat. Apparently it thought I didn't need to be cool through the entire summer. As a salesperson who travels, this was a major inconvenience. I sent it to the dealership 6 times over 2 summers spending over $1200 dollars and it still isn't fixed. Now they say they should have replaced the $400 computer in the first place, but I guess they hadn't gotten enough money out of me yet. I believe that this same computer is also responsible for other dashboard system failures, such as the dash lights blinking on and off. A temporary solution seems to be unplugging the battery overnight to allow the system to reset itself.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
While there was nothing wrong with the AC system itself, the computer would decide how much cool air could be allowed in with the automatic thermostat. Apparently it thought I didn't need to be cool through the entire summer. As a salesperson who travels, this was a major inconvenience. I sent it to the dealership 6 times over 2 summers spending over $1200 dollars and it still isn't fixed. Now they say they should have replaced the $400 computer in the first place, but I guess they hadn't gotten enough money out of me yet. I believe that this same computer is also responsible for other dashboard system failures, such as the dash lights blinking on and off. A temporary solution seems to be unplugging the battery overnight to allow the system to reset itself.
- Heather B., Charlotte, NC, US