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.
3.2
definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,994 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.
20 01 Dodge Intrepid,43K. Mi., purchased in 02, drive 7000. Miles, year maintained to specks. Last oil change showed massive amounts of sludge build-up. Two weeks later the engine blew. According to serv. Mgr. At dealership where we purchased it, it is the timing chain guides. I'm sure he's farmiliar with the noise because Chrysler have denied thousands of people the use of thier 2.7 L engined vehicles for a long, long time. It is a known cronic problem with this engine, and they know it, and nothing is being done about it. And, like thousands of others, we have to continue to pay for the driveway ornament as it can only sit there. We certaimly can't afford to fix it, so we borrowed my mother-in laws car, which got stolen from our driveway a week after we borrowed it. This problem must be addressed immediately by the proper authorities and they must be held accountable for any and all repairs needed to be able to get rid of the car.
- Syracuse, NY, USA
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- Syracuse, NY, USA