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 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,135 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.
(1) heading to work at about 8:00 am and started car(2001 Dodge Intrepid) as usual and went down some main roads leading up to the expressway. Got on the entrance ramp to the expressway and got up to 70 mph. Slowed down to 55 mph for construction and after getting through the construction tried to accelerate. (2) started as a quite clanking noise and I just thought that maybe it was exhaust. Slight vibrations and car started to slow a bit. Then louder clanking that could only be described as metal in a blender and the car shut down luckily I was able to coast up an off ramp that was coming up on my right but had to stop on the busy street that the ramp led onto. Lots of cars were passing. Had no choice but to be late my job and have the car towed. (3) nothing was done to correct the failure because of the expense to replace the entire engine. A rod shot straight through the oil pan. Old part is still in vehicle and is sitting in the driveway of a family member. Was told that it was due to oil sludge buildup in the engine.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 30 mph, the engine shut off. The failure was due to the timing change in the gearbox in addition to the water pump. The dealer stated that the water pump was not working because the water was mixed with antifreeze, which caused the vehicle to shut off. The repair would cost $3,000. The current and failure mileages were 170,000.
At first my car started sounding like a diesel engine. Timing chain was replaced. Oil sludge was built up in the engine. Engine seized. After researching I found out that many people have the same problem. Oil was changed on a regular basic. My Intrepid has been sitting in my driveway for months with a defective motor. Dodge should have a recall on this 2.7 engine.
I got my Intrepid new as a company car, and subsequently bought it when the division had layoffs (less than 10K miles, I was the original owner). It has been a dependable car, until it 'stalled out' last week. Turns out there's water in the oil, so the suspicion is a blown head gasket. The temperature gauge was 'normal' (not overheated) and there was a trail of oil that had come out the oil filler tube (dip stick 'popped' due to pressure). The car is driven about 5 miles each way to work and back each day, and for occasional errands in the evenings/weekend. I took it to a local mechanic to get a further diagnosis and estimate for repair. The vehicle was in good condition (38K miles), serviced regularly, and up until now, considered reliable.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. While accelerating into a parking space, the engine seized and the vehicle would not move. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle would not restart after the engine failed. The vehicle currently remains in the parking lot and is waiting to be towed. The speed was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 83,000. The consumer stated Chrysler refuses to assist and the mechanic stated this had nothing to do with the oil level however, the consumer stated this is the exact same failure as stated online. Updated 10/11/07
- Warren, OH, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
(1) regular maintenance and oil changes were performed frequently (2) engine locked up on interstate without any warning (3) engine failure due to oil sludge although regular oil changes were performed.
My 2001 Dodge Intrepid, with the 2.7 engine, just started making terrible noises in the engine, Dodge dealership says it needs a new engine...at around $5,000! it has 99,500 miles on it, I just bought the car last month!
I was simply driving down the road and my car made a noise like air was being released (something being depressurized) and then my car would not accelerate. I had to turn into a parking lot and coast to a spot where I stopped. I opened the hood and my engine had a hole and a huge crack throughout the top of the valve cover. My car has less than 75,000 on the engine and has always had the oil changed at least every 3000 miles. I also noticed some sludge material on the inside of my oil cap when I was looking around. I can see into my engine through the hole. Repair man said repairs could be in excess of $6K. Car is still at garage as I ponder my choices, since I still owe over $3K on it.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated that the engine made a humming noise each time it was started. The noise was not heard while the vehicle was in motion. The repair shop stated that the engine needed to be rebuilt. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 77,364.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle began to smoke and the power steering failed. The vehicle then shut off without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed the cause of failure as sludge build-up. The current and failure mileages were 65,000.
There was a tapping noise coming from the engine of the 2001 Intrepid, after which the engine light came on. Five minutes later the tapping became more intense. We stopped at a traffic light and the oil light came on and the car stalled. We drove it a few feet into a parking lot, and after that, the car was history. We had it towed to a service center, where they told us the engine had blown, and the car needed a new engine. All this happened within a time frame of about 10 minutes. We thank god we had just exited the NJ turnpike and were on a country road. We could have all been killed.
Car started making a knocking sound, and died on me. I was told that I needed oil and to have it checked out. On the way to shop car died in an intersection, my husband had to push it across traffic. Had the car towed to sho, P and was told that the engine had blown due to sludge and that this was common with the Dodge Intrepid.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 20 mph, the engine locked up without warning. The engine has oil sludge and a local mechanic diagnosed the failure as needing a new engine. The purchase date and # of cylinders were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 102,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 55 mph, the contact heard a loud knocking noise coming from the engine. She stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the cause of failure. The current mileage is 91,215 and failure mileage was 90,800. Updated 07/06/07
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated that the vehicle's engine head, water pump, and spark plugs were demolished. In addition, the water pump burst and damaged several other components. The contact stated that the engine light illuminated and served as his only warning indicator before the vehicle shut off while driving 55 mph. The vehicle was towed to the house. The current mileage is 80,100 and failure mileage was 80,125. The consumer provided invoices for repair. Updated 06/26/07
Engine went out of Dodge Intrepid with 78000 miles. Was told that the 2.7 which it has, does this, and even routine maintenance will not prevent it. According to autobeef.com, numerous people have same problem. Class action maybe!"!"!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Belmont, MI, USA