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 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
91,919 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.

2002 Dodge Intrepid electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments

problem #10

Aug 272015

Intrepid

  • 227,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was driving smelled hot when got home 3 miles latter opened hood cooling fan was smoking then caught on fire

- Mauston, WI, USA

problem #9

Sep 012013

Intrepid

  • 170,000 miles
We bought this car as the third owner the air bag light was on the cruise control didn't work and the horn wouldn't sound.after searching the internet, and finding out that they had many many of the internal pasts changed and the multitudes of people reimbursed, we took our car to the dealer and told because we were the third owner, and that the mileage was high, they would not accept responsibility. The car was never been in a accident, nor has it been abused. I think that because my horn can't work it may be a concern. I also think wile driving my air bag may deploy causing an insident.both Dodge Intrepid, and other Dodge have the same problems. The problem can be resolved by paying 4-TO5 hundred dollars to the consumer. I feel as though the cost and replacement of the part should go back to the manufacturer as it is an internal part in the steering that breaks with out warning and without any cause from outside sources I.e.accedentsor other. Because not enough people contacted you, the manufacturer decided it wasn't good enough to be considered or issue a recall.

- Grass Lake, MI, USA

problem #8

Mar 012009

Intrepid

  • 145,000 miles
We bought a 2002 used in 2005. It ran okay, thoughe H the oil pressure light and engine light would come on when idling. We were assured by the dealer we bought it from that it was just sensor and not to worry. Had some small problems with it, nothing too major. They just seemed to happen all the time. Then in 3/09 the alternator and water pump went out for the 2nd time, and even after repair the car would over heat out of no where and without warning. Continued to have the problems with the oil pressure light and engine light. Should have gotten rid of it then, but didn't have the money for a new car. Then in 11/09 the car did the overheat for no reason while my husband was going 70 mph on the highway, thank god there wasn't an accident. The gauges didn't indicate anything, all of them including the spedometer went to 0. it started gushing water and antifreeze. The engine is shot, it is now a gold lawn ornament. We maintained the car, oil changes every 3000mi etc. Was told its due to "sludge" in the engine and that its a common problem with Dodge 2.7 engines. Wish I would've known this before I bought the car, and I wish someone would do something about the ton yard ornament I now have.

- Clinton, IA, USA

problem #7

Sep 042010

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • 139,852 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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?

- Artlington , UT, USA

problem #6

Jul 112009

Intrepid

  • 65,000 miles
The Intrepid has had to serviced about every 3 months. First it was the engine light came on due to the 02 sensor going out. Then it was the fan that belt broke on the car. Then it was the tires the would wear the tread really easily. Then it was the passenger door handle it broke on the inside. The it was the transmission that started skipping gears then it would make the RPM's go up. Now the whole transmission has gone out. We have only had this car for two years and we have taken good care of it.

- Maysville, AR, USA

problem #5

Apr 162007

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles
Immediate loss of vehicle power..car went dead and immediately started to smoke and within seconds the engine compartment was up in flames. Vehicle did not overheat.. engine compartment suffered major fire damage, insurance company investigation still pending.

- Allendale, MI, USA

problem #4

Oct 042004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,963 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on an interstate the car suddenly lost power, while pulling off the road the oil light came on and the car was shut off immediately. The car would not re-start again. Mechanic described as lower end failure.

- Baraboo, WI, USA

problem #3

Aug 302003

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 376 miles
It started out as just a rough idle. They couldn't duplicate it and told me to drive it until it got worse. I did. It then added trying to go dead when I pulled into parking places. They again couldn't duplicate concern. Take it and drive it until it gets worse. Then it started racing occassionally while at idle and would take five or six times to start only to to go dead when you pulled a short distance and came to a complete stop. They still can't duplicate the problem. Chrysler told them to replace the head. The mechanic says there's nothing wrong with that head and that it will not fix the problem. I know they're going to give it back to me and say drive it until it gets worse again. The next step is for it to go dead in traffic and cause a wreck.

- Glenwood, GA, USA

problem #2

Aug 212002

Intrepid

  • miles
Loose ground wire to battery posed electrical problems. Also, odometer tampering. Vehicle died while driving. Also, suspension/ steering problems. Dealer replaced all four bulbs on headlamps and high/low beam dimmer switch, and cleaned out engine hoses, PCV valve and fuel filter.

- Dunnellon, FL, USA

problem #1

Feb 282003

Intrepid

  • 31,000 miles
The windshield wipers, horn and the interior/exterior lights malfunctioned. Which resulted in the vehicle shutting off.

- Dunnellon, FL, USA

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