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:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,722 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.
Air conditioning and heating system stopped working intermittently for the last four years. We have done regular maintenance on this religiously. This last time, it was making a knocking sound and barely made it into my driveway. Upon getting it to my mechanic, was told that the water pump and fuel pump were both going out and that the head gasket was toast, and that they would not work on it because the engines are notoriously bad and not worth it. Sludge build up was also present. Engine is now blown, and we still owe money on this thing!
: the contact stated while traveling 50 mph on dry road conditions, a thumping noise was heard coming from the front end, and smoke escaped from under the hood. Also, smoke entered the cab at the same time the thumping sound occurred. The vehicle was pulled over and flames erupted from under the hood seconds later. The fire department was contacted, extinguished the fire and determined that the fire was caused by an air conditioner hose that blew up. No injuries were sustained and a police report was not taken. The vehicle was later inspected by a certified mechanic, who determined that the air conditioner hose was too close to the manifold. The vehicle was towed to the residence and had not been repaired. The contact planned to contact the manufacturer after filing a complaint with the NHTSA.
: the contact stated while traveling 75 mph the transmission failed and the engine stalled. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to an independent repair shop where the transmission was rebuilt. Later, without warning the engine squealed and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and it was determined the problem was due to the air conditioner. Updated 9/11/2006 -
: the contact stated the vehicle's air conditioning has failed the windows will not go up or down. The problem is intermittent. The window issue causes too much heat in the vehicle. The contact expressed other Dodge have a related issue the body module, and this may be the cause of the prolems with the vehicle.
- Nacogdoches, TX, USA
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8/13/02-we took our 2001 Dodge Intrepid 2.7L in to the dealer for warranty repair. The headlamps were change because of fogging lens covers. The power steering pump was whining so that was also replaced. The vehicle had 31,207 miles. 1/14/03-with 36,354 miles on it we had the rear glass replaced because the defroster was not working. No cost for this. Also had them check a knocking noise in the front end but they could not diagnose the problem. 12/16/03-47,658 miles. Engine light on for a problem in the evap system. Dealer fixed it for $248.69. We had them check for the front end knock but they could not find a problem. They also recommended that we have the timing chain tensioner looked at. I did not ask them to check that at all since everything seemed fine at the time. Looking back I can see that they were trying to prevent something they knew was going to happen in the future! 06/07/04-54,932 miles. The A/C stopped working. Had the dealer diagnose the problem for $70.51. They said the condenser was leaking. I repaired it myself for about $200. 01/05/06-74,600 miles. Vehicle started knocking louder and louder while driving one day so I decided to drive my other car. The next day I tried to start the Intrepid but it would not fire. A mechanic diagnosed it as a timing chain problem. Fix would cost around $1,500. Oil changes were made every 3000-5000 miles and sludged with a oil flush because oil would evaporate.
The contact stated after turning the engine off, the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership, who discovered that the engine had sludge build up, and would have to be replaced. He chose not to repair the vehicle. The air condition and heat did not work and the timing belt was loose. Updated 12/27/05.
The engine system light appeared on the dashboard, and the engine jerked. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic, who stated the oil pump blew out, therefore the engine died. Dealer stated since consumer didn't purchase an extended warranty, they weren't going to cover a new engine.. also the air condition made a strange noise.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Yucca Valley, CA, USA