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:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,804 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 2002 Dodge Intrepid. The contact was driving 50 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that there was an internal engine failure but was unable to provide a concrete diagnosis. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 105,675.
I have a 2002 Dodge Intrepid with 2.7 engine the oil was changed every3K miles as should. In 2008 the car just shut off later took it to dealer with thought that warranty would cover it and they would not. The failure was because of oil sludge. There are very many complaints and mechanic inputs on this engine.. Dodge thinks the owners are at fault when in my case everything was done at the right time to keep it in good shape. The engine is no good there needs to be a recall on this product. It causes the engine to just shut off where ever you are. Some have shut off on highways which could cause serious wrecks. www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/Intrepid/2002/engine/oil_sludge_resulting_in_engine_failure.shtml this site has many users that have complained about the car. Could you please look into this.
My 2002 Dodge Intrepid SE began have engine troubles at 125,000 miles. I had the engine flushed in an attempt to stop a new knocking sound from getting worse. While driving with my children on the interstate two days later the engine completely failed. I have been paying the finance on this vehicle for the past year and a half. I am unable to pay the excessive engine repair costs and so the car sits.
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. While traveling 30 mph, vehicle would no longer accelerate. Within seconds, the vehicle stalled and smoke was seen coming from under the hood. There was also coolant leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the head gasket and water pump would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and there were no prior warnings of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 103,000. Updated 11/19/10. The consumer stated the engine needed to be repalced. Updated 11/2/410
Engine failure on 2002 Dodge Intrepid SE 2.7L V6. Per mechanic - timing chain failure and other engine damage due to poor oil flow/overheated oil causing sludge and subsequently clogged oil ports and excessive degradation of oil. This happened even though used full synthetic for entire life of car and changed oil regularly (~ every 5-8K miles) oil.
- Pleasant Valley, NY, USA
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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.
I have a 2002 Intrepid with the defective 2.7L. I just had the timing chain tensioner break without prior warning and with nothing wrong with the car. I was told it will be $900 to fix the problem or $2000 to replace it with a non defective engine.
Car just started dying and never gave a warning, oil started blowing out on top of the motor, white smoke started coming out of the car. The car has a 2.7L engine in it. This is the first time we had ever had this problem with the car, the oil has been changed regularly in the vehicle.
Engine just died. Estimates to replace/repair start at $4500, just for the engine, not including labor! I have already had the 2nd rebuilt transmission put in about 3 months ago.
2002 Dodge Intrepid with 2.7 engine. Engine failed due to oil sludge as 16yr old driver came to stop sign at a major highway. Cost to replace was $5200.
I was driving down hwy I75 South bound coming home from work in the middle of rush hr traffic. My car was at 70 mph and was doing great, then it just stopped running with no warning, didn't get hot, nothing just done in one minute, mechanics said I needed a complete rebuild. Crank - cam - oil pump showed scars and metal fragments. Costs of 3500 in parts and machine time, 600 in labor. We couldn't get over fast enough to get off the rd and was able to stop traffic and then push it off to the side, later when picking up the car with a tow dolly was hit by a car, side swiping my other vehicle and leaving me an additional 3000 in repairs.
2002 Dodge Intrepid thermostat radiator cap stopped working and I got that fixed and we were test driving the car and it worked fine, for a bit. As we were driving the car started shaking and then the engine blew. It stopped working in the middle of December 2008. We need to buy a new engine. It was sudden, and we took the car to get the oil change and the entire vehicle checked every 3 months.
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. The contact heard a knocking noise in the engine and took the vehicle to the dealer. He was informed that the failure was due to an oil flush and a metal flashing, which was caused by a defect from the factory. The dealer stated that there was no guarantee that they could correct the issue. He has found numerous complaints online for his make and model vehicle relating to the engine. The dealer stated that it would be best to purchase a new engine. The failure mileage was 75,000 and current mileage was 79,541.
Due to oil sludge build up the engine has failed on my 02 Dodge Intrepid. We have had all major parts replaced (computer, fuel pump, transmission, etc). Only a month after replacing the computer the engine seized up and left my husband stranded.
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and they stated that the timing chain was the cause of the failure. The engine size is a 2.7 liter, V6. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 101,000.
I own a 2002 Dodge Intrepid always did regular oil changes. Oil light came on, started hearing a knocking sound from the engine. The dealer says I have to replace the engine, otherwise it may seize while driving, causing a serious condition.
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. The contact turned the ignition key and the engine failed to completely turnover. Immediately, there was an ignition misfire. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. Roadside assistance was called to the scene and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the failure was related to engine sludge. The vehicle is currently inoperable and has not been repaired. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 68,000.
Engine sludge Dec 2007, engine sludge October 2008, resulting in vehicle malfunction. The car stopped on a major highway in rush hour traffic. The oil light came on and the car immediately died. Luckily I wasn't rearended. The oil is changed every 3000 miles. Chrysler should be replacing the motors on these vehicles before someone is killed. Right now the car is sitting, non-working. I cannot afford to replace the motor.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Columbus , OH, USA