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 had a very well maintained Dodge Intrepid, in fact it was on a Sunday I was checking the fluids and started it and I noticed a faint electrical burning smell. I watched it idle for a while and the smell went away. The next day my wife was driving it to work on the freeway for about 20 minutes and then got on an exit ramp and the car lost all power and the engine quit. Immediately afterwards and even before she came to a stop she noticed white smoke coming from the hood. She thought the car was overheating but the smoke turned black and she knew something was really wrong. Now she was pregnant at the time and other motorist were flagging her down hollering to get out. She couldn't see the flames from inside the car coming out of the hood. She said when she got out flames were shooting from the wheel wells. The fire was quickly extinguished but the car was a total loss. The actual cause is unknown electrical in nature. It originated from the battery area. This is really not a safe car to buy used.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I had a very well maintained Dodge Intrepid, in fact it was on a Sunday I was checking the fluids and started it and I noticed a faint electrical burning smell. I watched it idle for a while and the smell went away. The next day my wife was driving it to work on the freeway for about 20 minutes and then got on an exit ramp and the car lost all power and the engine quit. Immediately afterwards and even before she came to a stop she noticed white smoke coming from the hood. She thought the car was overheating but the smoke turned black and she knew something was really wrong. Now she was pregnant at the time and other motorist were flagging her down hollering to get out. She couldn't see the flames from inside the car coming out of the hood. She said when she got out flames were shooting from the wheel wells. The fire was quickly extinguished but the car was a total loss. The actual cause is unknown electrical in nature. It originated from the battery area. This is really not a safe car to buy used.
- ndclarkpd, Allendale, MI, US