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.
Sometimes I understand why there's so many of these cars dumped in junkyards. Purchased the car brand new, back in March of 2002. It's reliability was great up until about 2011, it's been so so. As I was ready to leave from the gas station I started the car, and was startled to hear a noise of what resembled that of a knocking 2.7L motor (which I immediately avoided on the dealership lot) , without hesitation I carefully drove it (the engine had severe power loss) straight to my trusted mechanic. After about 3 days when he'd finally torn apart the engine, he'd found that one of the welds on the camshaft had come loose, snapped and began to scrape the engine, the passenger side camshaft was finally replaced 11 days and $1,100 later. He'd warned that if i'd driven any further I would've caused irreparable damage to the engine, which wouldn't have been such a big deal considering this isn't my only car. However; if problems like these continue this car will be headed straight for the junkyard!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Sometimes I understand why there's so many of these cars dumped in junkyards. Purchased the car brand new, back in March of 2002. It's reliability was great up until about 2011, it's been so so. As I was ready to leave from the gas station I started the car, and was startled to hear a noise of what resembled that of a knocking 2.7L motor (which I immediately avoided on the dealership lot) , without hesitation I carefully drove it (the engine had severe power loss) straight to my trusted mechanic. After about 3 days when he'd finally torn apart the engine, he'd found that one of the welds on the camshaft had come loose, snapped and began to scrape the engine, the passenger side camshaft was finally replaced 11 days and $1,100 later. He'd warned that if i'd driven any further I would've caused irreparable damage to the engine, which wouldn't have been such a big deal considering this isn't my only car. However; if problems like these continue this car will be headed straight for the junkyard!
- matahugo, Royal City, WA, US