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.
9.6
really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,940
Average Mileage:
87,450 miles
Total Complaints:
43 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
engine replacement (20 reports)
signing up at websites just like this (11 reports)
Intrepid not worth fixing, purchased another vehicle (7 reports)
Initially told the water pump went out. Car was at dealership for over a month, due to them not able to locate a new engine. Finally received call stating extended warranty coverage denied claim, after being told I was covered for repairs, rental, etc. Ended up paying over 800.00 for a car rental, then the dealership wanted me to pay to put the engine back together, not fix it. Just to put it together the way it came in
my wife is on disability and we are struggling to get by. Dodge has a big problem we need help if we are to keep this car . the motor in our intrepid ran hot and all without warning was damaged beyond repair . dealer said "neglect" was the cause and 7600 would fix it. I had another estimate @ 5400 later that day. I need to get help from anywhere I can
In April of 2004 we purchased a 2002 Dodge Intrepid with what apparently is a piece of sh*t 2.7 liter engine in it. In August of 2004, my son (the car was purchased for him) came to me and complained that the car kept cutting off on him and the check engine light was coming on. We decided since we had purchased an extended warranty that we needed to get the car in for repairs.
We took it in on a Tuesday and the shop called us to say it needed a cam sensor. They had to order the part so it was Friday of that week that we picked it up. When we picked it up the shop had already closed for the weekend. My son noticed when he started the car it made a clicking sound while cranking it and once it started it went into a constant ticking noise.
The shop had closed for the weekend so we had to wait until that following Monday to bring it back. The shop manager informed us that he would have to tear down the engine to see what the problem was and if the warranty company didnt cover it the cost would be 911.00 to us. Well, what the hell other choice did we have? We knew that the car had been maintained so we figured there would be no problem. Silly us, what were we thinking? Once the engine was torn down what do you think they found? You guessed it, sludge and the timing chain tensioner had broken. Did you know that sludge indicates poor maintenance? Did you know that poor maintenance voids a warranty? They were basically calling us liars because in a 4 month period we could only produce proof of one of the two oil changes we had done.
This is an outrage, so now I owe 10,000.00 on a vehicle thats not worth the paper its titled on. It will cost 6,500.00 to repair it. We bought the car with an extended warranty for our son thinking it would be good dependable transportation and if anything went wrong it would be covered. Once again, silly us.
- Neil T.,
Richmond, VA, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Initially told the water pump went out. Car was at dealership for over a month, due to them not able to locate a new engine. Finally received call stating extended warranty coverage denied claim, after being told I was covered for repairs, rental, etc. Ended up paying over 800.00 for a car rental, then the dealership wanted me to pay to put the engine back together, not fix it. Just to put it together the way it came in
- sunshine710521, Sacramento, CA, US