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.
I'm so furious with Dodge for putting a water pump in the engine.My car was running hot and when I took it to the mechanic he told me I needed a water pump and that it would cost me $800 because he had to go inside the motor.That was the first I heard of a water pump inside a motor.He also told me he wasn't sure if the motor would be any good.And if he just went in to see if the motor was any good before I bought the pump it would cost me $200.Event if I had it fixed he couldn't guaranteed how long the engine would last.An engine would cost more then the car is worth.Now I have a car sitting in my yard that's of no use to me.The mechanic said not to put any more money in the car. I will NEVER EVER buy a Dodge again.If any one in Tenn has a complaint about their water pump and knows about a class action lawsuit please let me know.
WELL IT FIRST STARTED WITH THE TEMPERATURE HOUSING UNIT THAT WAS 345.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM THAT WENT OUT NOV.2006 THEN IN JULY 2007 THE CAR STARTED OVERHEATING GOT THE WATER PUMP FIXED AND THE WATER HAD GONE IN THE OIL SO HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADS UP TOP. THE BOTTOM WAS TOO WEAK FOR THE TOP SO IT BLEW. NOW I NEED A WHOLE NEW ENGINE AND A TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER NOT TO MENTION I HAVE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PREVIOUSLY, THE HUBS & THE STRUTS. I PRACTICALLY REBUILT THE DAMN CAR AND ITS INOPERABLE.
Bought this really nice Intrepid with only 35,000 miles, thinking it will last long enough for me to pay it off if I do the regular scheduled maintenance. Boy was I wrong. Driving home from the grocery store, a slight noise came from the engine compartment. Managed to drive less than a mile to my drive way (barely running) then the steam started rolling from under the hood. Checked oil, and there was fluid all the way up the dipstick. Brought to Chrysler dealership to get fixed (good thing I bought a 100,000 mile warranty). The motor was shot due to water pump failure. New motor, and labor was going to be over $6,500. Warranty company did not want to cover it because the car is not worth that much, even though I paid them $2,000 for this warranty. Well after a month they finally agreed to fix it after I threatened to get a lawyer. Come to find out they put a junk yard used motor in it. No information about where it came from, how many miles, anything could be given to me. Needless to say I will never buy another Dodge again, and I hope anyone reading this who is thinking about buying an Intrepid or any other dodge that has the 2.7 in it, "DONT DO IT". Save yourself the headaches and sleepless nights wondering how much and where your going to come up with the thousands of dollars to get your Dodge fixed.
Was driving down the road and the engine suddenly cut out. No warning lights, nothing.
The car would not restart and had to have it towed. There was oil running out the bottom of the car and all the coolant had leaked into the oil, causing internal engine damage beyond repair. Possible causes were water pump, head gasket, engine block, etc. Cost to repair was too high, so never diagnosed the problem and junked the car.
My 2001 Dodge Intrepid with about 45000 miles and out of warranty, except extended warranty engine when out while driving about 5 minutes and sitting at a stop sign. It began to stall and I was almost run over by a bus. The water pump went out. The water pumps are installed inside the engine (how dumb), as an engine alway outlives a water pump and all the water went into the engine freezing the engine up totally. The estimate was over 5000 dollars for a rebuilt engine. My warranty covered 3000. I began to blog this when it happened in Sept, 2007 and found I was not the only one. I emailed a class action attorney here in CALIFORNIA. The lawoffice just called me and they need more people in California to contact them to start the CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA. There is one suit right now in New Jersey I believe he said. So those off you in California please contact Charles Marshall of GREEN WELLING LLP
Tel: (415) 477-6700
Fax: (415) 477-6710
www.classcounsel.com
Any question just email me at donnablingbling@verizon.net. Chrysler needs to pay hundreds if not thousands of people with our problem. Thanks, Donna
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I'm so furious with Dodge for putting a water pump in the engine.My car was running hot and when I took it to the mechanic he told me I needed a water pump and that it would cost me $800 because he had to go inside the motor.That was the first I heard of a water pump inside a motor.He also told me he wasn't sure if the motor would be any good.And if he just went in to see if the motor was any good before I bought the pump it would cost me $200.Event if I had it fixed he couldn't guaranteed how long the engine would last.An engine would cost more then the car is worth.Now I have a car sitting in my yard that's of no use to me.The mechanic said not to put any more money in the car. I will NEVER EVER buy a Dodge again.If any one in Tenn has a complaint about their water pump and knows about a class action lawsuit please let me know.
- Jennifer S., Memphis, TN, US