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.
6.8
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,970
Average Mileage:
86,500 miles
Total Complaints:
24 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (15 reports)
have oil sending unit replaced use 5w-30 only!!!!!!! (2 reports)
changed oil 4 times in 2000 miles with synt. oil (1 reports)
got rid of the car (1 reports)
junk yard (1 reports)
remove vent from sending unit connector (1 reports)
My oil light came on when i stopped for gas on a trip 400 miles from home and i spent the whole week fretting about it. It only happened when the car was warmed up and i stopped like at stoplights, stopsigns etc. once i hit the gas it went off. The ASE certified garage down there told me chrysler has sent out a bulletin telling people not to use any additives in their oil and also to use 5w 30 only. when i got home i had my ASE garage do the diagnostic work and determined it was the oil sending unit. the part cost about 20.00 the labor another 30.00 and the oil change another 25.00. this happened to me again after using 10w 30 so apparently you need to make sure 5w 30 is all you use. It's an easy fix and easily prevented but unfortunately not many garages get these memos and usually don't remember they got them. lucky for me the guy had just gotten it a few days before hand.
At first I thought it had something to do with my the oil change, but after the next one the oil light stayed on most of the time. There is no oil leaks, anything to tell me that anything is wrong, but the light is annoying and bothersome. It sounds like there is nothing that can be done except redo the engine. If someone knows the answer as to what can be done, please email me using the contact link. Thank you.
I have had my Intrepid little over a year and recently my oil light is on all the time when my engine is idle, i have my oil changed every 3,000 sometimes a little early, i asked around to a few mechanics and they all say that there is a flaw in the motor, something about the oil doesnt get to both sides of the engine block evenly or something like that cause sludge build up until it goes boom! I am going to take mine in this week and ask questions, especially after all this new news!
- David H.,
Gresham, OR, US
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My oil light came on when i stopped for gas on a trip 400 miles from home and i spent the whole week fretting about it. It only happened when the car was warmed up and i stopped like at stoplights, stopsigns etc. once i hit the gas it went off. The ASE certified garage down there told me chrysler has sent out a bulletin telling people not to use any additives in their oil and also to use 5w 30 only. when i got home i had my ASE garage do the diagnostic work and determined it was the oil sending unit. the part cost about 20.00 the labor another 30.00 and the oil change another 25.00. this happened to me again after using 10w 30 so apparently you need to make sure 5w 30 is all you use. It's an easy fix and easily prevented but unfortunately not many garages get these memos and usually don't remember they got them. lucky for me the guy had just gotten it a few days before hand.
- heybrandy01, Somerset, PA, US