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.
Lately there's been an extremely faint creaking sound every time I turn the wheel at standstill. I'm almost certain the well known defective steering rack is starting to go. I just took it to get a tire rotation, and asked the guy if he'd please shake the front wheels for any noises; sure enough there's already clunking going on. I found this quite disappointing, because I've known about this problem since the car was brand new, and I've tried everything to prevent that common problem (Avoiding Potholes, Speed Bumps, Parking Maneuvers that require frequent turning of the wheel "parallel parking" , Curvy Roads etc.) It's shame that these cars were saddled with such a poor steering design!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Lately there's been an extremely faint creaking sound every time I turn the wheel at standstill. I'm almost certain the well known defective steering rack is starting to go. I just took it to get a tire rotation, and asked the guy if he'd please shake the front wheels for any noises; sure enough there's already clunking going on. I found this quite disappointing, because I've known about this problem since the car was brand new, and I've tried everything to prevent that common problem (Avoiding Potholes, Speed Bumps, Parking Maneuvers that require frequent turning of the wheel "parallel parking" , Curvy Roads etc.) It's shame that these cars were saddled with such a poor steering design!
- matahugo, Royal City, WA, US