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:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,744 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.
An oil plug front left of engine block blew out pumping oil onto catalytic converter. Open flames melted wheel well, back bumper, and fuel hoses off of gas tank. Fire went out went all the oil was pumped out of engine and car stopped moving. I contacted Chrysler safety, they referred me to Dodge customer care; they initially created a case #31892226 but then sent a letter saying they were not responsible because the car was out of a three-year warranty period and also unspecified environmental factors. Although my wife and son were almost immolated, it wasn't important enough for them to check into. The car remains parked at a local garage awaiting investigation.
My 2002 Dodge Intrepid has had many problems since I bought it roughly four years ago. I was informed that it had a rebuilt engine and transmission. Just recently it has been having problems shifting out of know where. I was at the stop light and when it turned green I pressed on the gas and it did not want to go. I let up the gas and it kicked in to first gear. When I am driving and getting up to about 30-35 mph it would go up to 3rpm and not shift. I do regular oil changes on both the transmission and engine. This problem can cause an accident because the car is just doing whatever it wants to. After reading all these other complaints it is very similar to my problem. I am understanding now why Dodge stopped making Intrepid. I am very disappointed and will never buy Dodge again.
Bought a Dodge Intrepid the engine has been replaced twice it's an 2.7 V.6.... the car stalls, the light flickers on an off as well as my radio!! my sensor are faulty because it give my car faulty reading to the wrong errs not only, that I have had build up in both engines grime and broken down particles! my speed is off sometime my car picks up speed by it self or it don't gain speed at all! the car also loses power for no reason at all! drain my battery four times! over heat without warning! had my thermostat replace twice!!! to many problem keep occurring and I can keep up with any of this!! Texas dmv told me about this site told me about that these cars are not any good!! please help what do I do with this car?
I own a 2002 Dodge Intrepid with a 2.7 liter engine. Engine oil light keeps flickering. Also, sometimes the check engine light comes on and then off again. I did a code check to find it was the camshaft position sensor and oxygen sensor. I took this vehicle to the Dodge dealership. When I spoke to the service adviser and a mechanic, they stated that there is not much I can do, this is an on-going problem with these engines. I was shocked, way to go Dodge! even your own employees don't have any faith in your products! I regularly change the oil myself every 3,000 miles with synthetic.
- Clay, NY, USA
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2002 Dodge Intrepid with oil leak. Consumer states that the vehicles engine has a design flaw which produces high levels of engine oil sludge. After the oil leak was repaired, the check engine light illuminated two months later, the consumer was told the vehicle had a transmission leak.
: the contact stated the transmission dropped into first gear when traveling 65 mph which caused the vehicle to stall. This has occurred on 6 occasions. The dealer and manufacturer have been unable to duplicate the problem.
The vehicle continued to overheat. Vehicle was been taken to the dealer three times in June 2003. The dealer was unable to determine or duplicate the problem. The solenoid pack was replaced. The vehicle hesitated and could not be shifted into the fourth gear.. the consumer also stated the vehicle hesitated while driving.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Flippin, AR, USA