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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,000 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.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. While the contact was placing a child in the rear child seat, the seat belt fractured. The manufacturer stated that the seat belt needed to be inspected before they would decide if they would cover the costs. The dealer (spitzer motors of mansfield Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 1777 w 4th St, mansfield, oh 44906, (419) 513-8278) stated that the contact had to have a case number from the manufacturer before they would repair the seat belt. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 64,000... consumer stated rear seat belt bolt broke off.
I was wearing my seatbelt traveling 30 miles per hour in my 2001 Dodge Intrepid ES. My right font tire somehow snapped while I was traveling in a straight course and did not hit any debris or potholes while on the road. I had no control of any steering while it happened and crashed into and oncoming car at 30mph as I said I had my seatbelt on and hit the right front side of the opposing vehicle. The result was a 4 inch gash in my forehead from the B bar of the vehicle because the seatbelt didn't properly restrain me even though it was adjusted to proper shoulder height and pulled tight around my waist. The air bags did not deploy in the car at all. As a result I suffered injuries resulting in the payment of $2900 to my local hospital and ambulance business. The vehicle had passed an inspection just a couple months earlier had a tuneup and inspection for worn jball joints fittings wires hoses and wires and bolts which cost a large sum of money. A few minor parts were replaced and the car was deemed to be in safe working order.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mansfield, OH, USA