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:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,541 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.

2001 Dodge Intrepid electrical problems

electrical problem

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2001 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments

problem #9

Sep 262020

Intrepid

  • 134,865 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving down the road at night, the vehicle loses all function and power. When this occurs I have no power steering, lights, brakes, nothing. It flickers on and off like that multiple times. It took me 1 1/2 hours to drive home, which should have taken only half hour. This is a serious safety issue. I can't drive the vehicle now in fear that I will be in an accident. This appears to be an ongoing issue with Dodge vehicles. I can't drive my van in fear it will end up killing myself, my family, or some innocent person on the roadway. This needs to be addressed. A recall is needed to find this ongoing issue. There isn't a specific date but a constant issue.

- Walnut Grove, MN, USA

problem #8

Nov 072014

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • miles
Since the day I bought the car 09/2001 the passenger window made noise, both opening and closing the window. Now both windows make the same noise. Was and have been basically ignored with my complaint. Interior light flicker on and off while driving. Have had passengers in the car when it has happened, so it's not my imagination. This has was dismissed when questioning why is this happening.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #7

Mar 012013

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • miles
Air bag light came on, then no cruise control, no horn, air bag light stays on. Was told that there might be a recall on this particular vehicle. Called dealership in bloomington, in. And was told that they didn't know and that they don't handle recalls.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #6

Apr 242009

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler Intrepid. The contact purchased the vehicle in February of 2008. Three days later, the shifter cable failed without warning. The dealer replaced the component. In approximately April of 2008, the ignition switch failed and was also covered by the dealer. In addition, the driver's side window would not roll back up properly. A month ago, the vehicle shut off and was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that the vehicle's computer system had completely failed. The computer system was replaced at the contact's expense. The connector rod in the engine snapped, which caused the engine to fail. Currently, the vehicle is inoperable. The contact feels that the failures were due to manufacturer defects. The failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 07/01/09 the PCM was replaced. Updated 07/02/09.

- Neenah, WI, USA

problem #5

Apr 112008

Intrepid

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. While sitting in the vehicle with the engine turned off, the contact's daughter was able to switch the gear indicator from park into drive without depressing the brake pedal. Prior to the failure, the contact noticed that he was able to remove the key from the ignition while the vehicle was running. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current mileage was 151,000 and failure mileage was 99,000.

- Sooste.Marie, MI, USA

problem #4

Aug 082006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles
Headlights come on and go out by themselves when car is turned off. Headlamp switch acts as if it is wired backwards - when car is started and headlamp switch is in the off position, the headlights come on, and when the headlamp switch is turned to the on position, the headlights go off. Going in for repair 8/9/06.

- Perry, IA, USA

problem #3

Mar 082006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My name is [xxx]. November 2005 I have bought Dodge Intrepid 2.7 L sedan 2001 - to help my wife moving safely. I have spent all my savings for it. At the beginning of January 2006 I had problem with the engine.engine was blown up (mechanic told me engine is completely broken and is no possibilities to repair it.) I was very disappointed and I dint know what I had to do. I decided to buy new engine to switch.I have paid for it $4000 from my credit card because I didn't have any choice.) after 1,5 month March 8, 2006 this car caught fire from electric engine inside the passenger door. My wife was in the hospital to make check up in this time and when she returned and opened the door the flame was blown outside and one door was completely burned. There was police and fire department and they made rapport of this accident. Now this car is not for any use because all inside is completely covered by dust and smoke fire and sludge and is very toxic and smells really bad. Insurance refused me to cover this car failure (I had only basic plan) I have bought the car 4 years old and I believed in daimler Chrysler quality now I see is something wrong with this car because I made investigation on internet and I found couple hundreds failures of this car most of then are the same as mine. I have no money to buy another car and still I have to pay for engine which I switched. I don't have money for regular layer that's why I decided to ask you for assistance and help because I am completely helpless I have spend $6500 for the car and next $4000 and used it only by 2 months I think is something wrong with this kind of cars. Please help me. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Garfield, NJ, USA

problem #2

Oct 012004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • miles
Nasty smell from A/C, suspension/axles and other problems with Dodge Intrepid. There were scratches on the cover of the radio program, problems with the window and door lock, the right passenger front had pin holes, the front end was loud grabbing and knocking, the driver door window displayed a thump noise and the motor on the window continued to run even after the window was closed, the passenger seat cover had a big gauge which was made on the console and the glove box cover door, there were spots on the interior of the front head light inside of the glass, the engine would surge, the front passenger door made squeaking noises, air bag light was intermittent, speaker damage, the right and left front windows squeaked mostly on the left side motor, the right window did not work at all, the left rear anchor cover was broken, the brakes were noisy, the engine light was intermittent, the tire experienced excessive wear, and there was a grabbing on right turns. Recall#03V035000.

- Napa, CA, USA

problem #1

Feb 042004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles
When the headlights are turned on they will flicker along with the interior and dash board lights. Dealer has examined the vehicle 9 times for this particular problem, but has not resolved the problem. The vehicle would lose power while sitting at a red light with the brakes applied, the RPM's had gone up and the engine revved.

- Dudley, GA, USA

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