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.
2.4
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,667 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.
Engine blew up after 70,000 due to engine sludge build up. Had the engine rebuilt costing me thousands and it happened again within 10,000 miles. Cost me thousands again.
We had no injury or permanent failure yet. However, the 2.7 liter engine in the 2002 Dodge Intrepid continued to plague us with problems related to sludge buildup. The vehicle had regular 3,000 mile oil changes prior to the first incident, then more frequent changes after. We had the oil pan drop once to remove sludge buildup, and two oil pressure sending units installed in the last 13 months. I am very familiar with how a vehicle operates, and what to do in emergencies to avoid permanent damage to vehicle parts, and I feel that this is the only reason we have not had a permanent failure of this motor.
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
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- Fort Wayne, IN, USA