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.

9.6

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,500
Average Mileage:
89,750 miles
Total Complaints:
149 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. never buy a Chrysler again (63 reports)
  2. replaced with a used/rebuilt engine (30 reports)
  3. not sure (20 reports)
  4. bought a new car that's not a Dodge (13 reports)
  5. replace engine (9 reports)
  6. replace with a 3.2L or 3.5L engine (6 reports)
2001 Dodge Intrepid engine problems

engine problem

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2001 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments (Page 1 of 8)

problem #149

Jan 192012

Intrepid ES 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,262 miles

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

2001 DODE INTREPID 2.7 V6 BOUGHT THIS CAR USED TO HELP MY DAUGHTER GO TO COLLEGE.58,200 MILES 3500.00 LOOKED GOOD INSIDE AND OUT.ALL MAINTENENCE RECORDS LOOKED GOOD.HAVE OWNED MANY CHRYSLER PRODUCTS IN MY LIFE AND HAVE BEEN FAIRLY SATISFIED.EIGHT MONTHS AND 8000 MILES LATER ENGINE GOES WITHOUT WARNING. I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH ALL MAKES AND MODELS OF AUTOS BUT WHEN A COMPANY KNOWINGLY SELLS INFERIOR PRODUCTS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAUSING FINANCIAL HARSHIPS FOR MANY PEOPLE, THEY HAVE LOST MY BUISSNES AND MY CHILDRENS BUISSNES FOR LIFE.DO YOU THINK THEY CARE? I DONT THINK SO. WAY TO GO CHRYSLER. LIE,CHEAT AND STEAL! HMM, SOUNDS LIKE A CLINT EASTWOOD MOVIE TO ME.

- Lee M., Canal Fulton, OH, US

problem #148

Jun 122007

Intrepid LX 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

THE MOTOR FAILED IN MANY CHRYSLER INTREPID. I FEEL CHRYSLER SHOULD GIVE THE COST OF A ENGINE TO EACH INTREPID OWNER. ARE THEY SHOULD BE SUED IN COURT. GOOD LOOKING CARS BAD MOTORS HELP

REFUND MONEY FOR THE COST OF NEW ENGINE. 2001 DODGE INTREPID BE LOYAL TO YOUR CUSTOMERS

THANKS

- adoss, East SAINT LOUIS, IL, US

problem #147

Jan 132011

Intrepid ES 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,124 miles

I purchased this... VEHICLE in October of 2010. By January of 2011 the car was trashed because the oil light came on and within 2 minutes the engine was clunking and grinding and died in the middle of a busy highway. I have always changed my own oil in a timely manner and having raced cars on a track in my youth, I understand the workings of a vehicle. When the oil light comes on, not the check engine light, you should have the ability to drive for (at least) a short distance before your car becomes inoperative. I have the crappy 2.7L engine and have been trying to get a rebuilt or remaned for replacement. I have called several bone yards to see if they could assist and every 2.7L engine they have is trash. SHOULDN'T WE ALL GET TOGETHER ON A CLASS ACTION OR SOMETHING AND MAKE THEM PAY FOR OUR REPAIRS AND RENTAL CARS? I can't afford to keep paying to rent a car, and my credit (these days) is not good enough to get another loan. I still owe on the loan for this piece of junk.

- kalleco, LaSalle, IL, US

problem #146

Mar 302011

Intrepid ES 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

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

Intrepid is 10 years old but I did all the required oil changes in the timely manner. I bring the car into Firestone for a leak and suddenly they are looking at $4000 in engine repairs. Said they saw something similar in an Intrepid a few weeks ago. Took it to Dodge dealer and they mentioned it looked like coolant was getting in. They changed the oil and added a dye to find where my leak was coming from. 2 days later I am driving in the Jewel parking lot and the car quits. I could not restart and I had it towed back to the dealer, After looking at it further, they say they wouldn't put any more into it. I am surprised they don't know about this engines problems. Or do they?

- rjbart, Batavia, IL, US

problem #145

Jan 012011

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

Hi i have a 2001 dodge intrepid with only 87,000 Miles on it bought the car about 6 months ago and the motor went out dew to water got into the oil. I want to fix it its going to cost me around 2,000 for a rebuilt engine i am wondering should i spend that money on this car? I am afraid that its going to happen again. What should i do thanks.

- Rafael H., Bellflower, CA, US

problem #144

Nov 112010

Intrepid 6.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I owned a Dodge Intrepid with the rancid 2.7L engine. Changed the oil in the car at its 3000 mile point and the oil would not come out, it was sludge from 3000. I was pissed. At the time I owed 6000 on the car with a transmission that just got put in for 2500 and no warranty to help cover. Two weeks down the road engine died due to sludge taking a consumer to a doctors appointment. Garage only charged me 1500 because I bought a whole another intrepid that was totaled. Had the 3.5L High out put. Amazing engine. Garage did not install correctly. That died in july of 2010 due to car catching on fire. I then owed 4000 on the loan, so you probably know how I feel. I hate Dodge. A couple weeks after the fire I was told how to make the 2.7L run correctly and not build up sludge. USE SYNTHETIC IN ALL 2.7L IT WILL SAVE YOU FROM HAVING TO PUT NEW ENGINE IN THE CAR. This is due to the lines that run to the oil cooler are two small and normal oil is to thick and builds up. I hate Dodge they can kiss my ass with everything they do to us.

- dami96482, Knoxville, PA, US

problem #143

Feb 202010

Intrepid 2.7

  • 130,000 miles

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

We have a 2001 Intrepid, 2.7 and what a horrible experience it has been. We had it to 3 different mechanics, one said "oh it's the alternator" WRONG. Then while it continued to leak oil but somehow never need oil I figured, hmmm maybe it's the oil pump or something that had to do with the oil.Mechanic said "nope it's fine". Well, it was NOT fine. I had it 1 month, had it towed twice and drove it approx. 5 days. Over $800 in repairs and finally the last mechanic pulled the top off the engine and told me there were metal shavings in the valve. He said that the best thing to do was to take it out to the back and shoot it! That only cost $200. I looked up problems for this car and apparently these cars suffer from oil sludge build up, and it will kill your car. Or in this case, my car. It only cost me roughly $2700 to not drive this thing. Now, its toe up in the driveway, dead and I am only hoping that someone wants to buy it for the perfect body and interior....and new battery...and new alternator...and new tags.

- Terry W., Eugene, OR, US

problem #142

Jun 292010

Intrepid SE 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 129,132 miles

The car was good to me overall. When I fist got it it would cut off on me, but then start up after a few tries. The problem resulted at a stop light, it felt like the muffler was trying to push something out. A mile later the car was losing power when I stepped on the gas pedal. It shut down on me. some heat was coming from the engine, but not smoke. A brown liquid looking like coffees was under the engine on the road. Oil was level became flooded with coolant. the mechanic said HC's were present in the coolant. i just scrapped it today. It was sad to see it go.

My advice to anyone who owns this car is, trade your car in if you can for a new one or sell it, because in the end you will only get 250 in cash from the junk yard. i have always tried to buy American when I can, but this may be the last time i buy an American car. Good luck to those of you who still on one, and choose wisely or add you complaint in the future.

- oldyeller, Oakley, CA, US

problem #141

Jan 012010

Intrepid SE 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

NICE LOOKING CAR-----BAD ENGINE!!!!!!

Engine failed suddenly going down Garden State Parkway. Cars behind me had to brake suddenly as a cloud of water and sludge engulfed my car.

- Burton S., Toms River, NJ, US

problem #140

Oct 142009

Intrepid SE 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,000 miles

Ok this seems to be Intrepid's legacy. I bought this car with the odometer showing 91,000 miles. The irony is paper work showed the engine had been replaced with a Jasper engine at 67.000 miles on the odometer. So I felt comfortable I was buying a car with a Jasper engine that had only 24,000 miles on it. Well what do you know... from the very beginning the car used oil, smoked a little which got worse and worse. I changed the oil and filter every 3000 miles and what do you know..at 123,000 miles the engine blew without warning. That means the Jasper engine just had 32,000 miles on it. Upon inspection the oil pump had gone out destroying the engine which was filled with oil sludge..NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE CAR! I now own a 2001 Dodge Intrepid that looks like a New Car inside and out, and is good for nothing but taking up space

- Jerry Y., Limestone, TN, US

problem #139

Dec 132009

Intrepid SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,953 miles

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

Bought this car used. The very next day the engine blew due to oil sludge.

- Ashley H., Mobile, AL, US

problem #138

Sep 092009

Intrepid SE 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

I got a 2001 dodge intrepid about 9 months ago and as soon as it hit 115,000 miles, it started running rough and now it won't start. it didn't have the greatest up keep with oil changes (7,000 miles between changes) but i never thought these would be as unreliable as i have read on this site. so the gist of this is, NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER!!!

- josh_pher, Sioux Falls, SD, US

problem #137

Nov 242009

Intrepid SE 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

I bought this car used. I'm still paying for it. I was told as long as I kept up on the oil changes and kept up routine maintenance I would be fine. I was about to change the oil!! Suddenly i started to get a knocking noise that was faint and only happened every once in a while. Then it turned into a nasty metal scraping disgusting sound. The car started to stall. I got a tow to the mechanic just to have him tell me no one in this area will sell him a new motor because it isn't worth it, and it would be $5000 dollars to have it rebuilt, NOT INCLUDING LABOR! Now I'm paying on an expensive but stylish PAPER WEIGHT!!! Anyone have any explosives to help get rid of my problem??

- Zachary K., Davenport, IA, US

problem #136

Jul 102009

Intrepid ES 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,300 miles

after my experience with dodge i expect it high time dodge corporation come out and make a statement at list.Hope i don,t run mad aft

- Jessey O., Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria

problem #135

Oct 052009

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

need my car fixed but I am being told that there is no need to replace a defective engine with another 2.7 engine.

- Faith H., Byron, GA, US

problem #134

Jan 242008

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

I was told several times that the intrepid would have major motor problems caused by sludge once it hit 88thousand miles i did not listen and now I am paying for a car with no engine cause i can't afford the repair & car payment never by a dodge

- tinajo91730, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, US

problem #133

Jun 122009

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Hi, I'm just wondering if there is any prevention i can take to keep my engine from failing. my car runs just dandy now, with 110k on it. I'm scared she'll blow any day now. if someone knows what i can do, please email me at jess_is_ca@yahoo.com

- dallaire, Lapeer, MI, US

problem #132

Jun 102009

Intrepid SE 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Blown Motor - - Sludge Build up - Mechanic Says $6000 for a Jasper Engine.

- Michael M., Akron, OH, US

problem #131

Jan 022009

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

I've been hearing since I purchased this car that they have problems with the transmissions and the engine, I replaced the engine in 2006, replaced the transmission in 2008, and what do you know I have engine sludge which caused my engine to go out again. I wish there was something more I could do besides coming out of my pocket with large lumps of cash to repair this car but i have already put so much money into it I hate to get rid of it when i just replaced the transmission it put a lot of money into too much to just give the car up. what is Chrysler doing about this problem.

- ccannon0524, West Point, MS, US

problem #130

May 202009

Intrepid ES 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

we have babied this car and have hardly driven it. This is crazy!!! Don't know how this is going to turn out. We found someone who will replace the engine with a used one at a reasonable cost. Car is not worth much now and even less not running. Head Gasket has already been replaced too..thankfully it was under warranty.

- ingle, Hixson, TN, US

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