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.
Add me to the burgeoning ranks of Intrepid owners whose engine overheated and cracked the block within a week of having it serviced. On the freeway in the middle of the night no less. I've called Dodge and they refuse to do anything about it.
I wish there was a class action suit against them. This is beyond irresponsible. This is criminal that they continue to sell these cars without warning anyone.
Well here we go again on this piece of junk. After spending $3000 in June on a new transmission now the engine is knocking and we are told that it will cost $8000 to fix. Chrysler should be ashamed for puttin out such poor quality vehicles.
Shame on me. This is actually my second Dodge Intrepid with Engine failure. The first was a 2000, Engine Failure at 76,000 miles. Absolutely no warning. It just died on the road. I loved the size and drive so much I ignorantly believed the salesman when he said they fixed all of the Intrepid Engine problems and the 2002 is great..... Yeah right. On my 2002 the heater first went out. My mechanic said they couldn't figure out why. started overheating one day. I had the overflow reserve tank replaced, then the radiator reserve tank, then something else, when it finally died on the road. Oddly enough each time it seemed the engine was running great and all of a sudden it would overheat. Well now it is dead and I still owe about $4,500 on it. I am stuck with 2 car notes and insurance premiums. I too would love to join in on a class action suit against Dodge/Chrysler. I think they were well aware of the problems but didn't want to admit it. Any suggestions, please let me know.
Heard a knocking just like everyone else. Drove home and it shut off and never came back on. Dad is a mechanic. Took engine apart only to find that the piston had cracked the plate on the motor. Called around and mechanic told me to get rid of it. There is nothing you really can do except sell it. So my husband, I and my 2 children are up sh*t's creek without a paddle. My husband is about to lose his job because he can't get to work because we live in New Orleans and getting around is like trying to get up that creek without that paddle. I Hate Dodge!
- Gwendolyn S.,
New Orleans, LA, US
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Add me to the burgeoning ranks of Intrepid owners whose engine overheated and cracked the block within a week of having it serviced. On the freeway in the middle of the night no less. I've called Dodge and they refuse to do anything about it.
I wish there was a class action suit against them. This is beyond irresponsible. This is criminal that they continue to sell these cars without warning anyone.
- Taunya G., Long Beach, CA, US