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.
1.5
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
117,600 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.
Engine light turned on, vehicle failed to start and was towed to garage. Mechanic diagnosed problem as timing chain sensor wear, due to stretched timing chain related to well documented oil sludge problem in 2.7L V6 engine. After the sensor was replaced, drove the vehicle for two weeks and engine light reappeared. For approximately 18 months, vehicle was driven with engine light turning on and off on its own. At times, the vehicle was difficult to start, particularly in cold weather, but would resolve itself and start fine with the engine light turning off. After 18 months, the engine light remained lit all the time. It would stall in traffic and the oil light would appear. At this point, after reading thousands of others complaints on this vehicle/engine and understanding engine repair costs would eclipse the value, I decided the vehicle was unsafe to drive.
Purchased 2001 in 2004 driving to work car stalled on freeway and cut off. Took to auto shop determined engine froze. Replaced engine 2009(needed to save up) engine has given out again 2017. There is oil slug in engine.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. While driving at approximately 35 mph and approaching a stop sign, the engine stalled. As a result, all the warning lights remained illuminated. The contact also stated that the horn failed to function. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 249,000.
Car suddenly stopped while on the expressway at 60 miles an hour. I hear this is not unusual but seems to be a frequent compliant about this car. If so many people have this problem it should have been recalled for safety factors. But I am sure the big car company will not allow any of this to come to fruition and Focus on the safety of the consumer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Saginaw, MI, USA