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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,664 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.

2002 Dodge Intrepid steering problems

steering problem

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2002 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments

problem #9

May 112014

Intrepid

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

TL-the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph in reverse, he heard a pop. The contact inspected the vehicle and stated the rack and pinion bolts have fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Independence, IA, USA

problem #8

Mar 172012

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • 128,980 miles
My pregnant wife was leaving a friends wedding with my three year old in the car, she was turning around on a side street she lost all steering I was there in a separate car I went out and checked for the problem. I found that both bolts that connect the inner tie rods to the rack and pinion steering had been broken completely. This is my wife's daily driver she has it on the freeway everyday.

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #7

Jun 012011

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • 224,000 miles
Steering problems 2002 Dodge Intrepid. Steering gear replaced at approx 60,000 miles then inner tie rod bushings failed at 196,000 miles now they have failed again at 224,000 miles 18 months and there is major play in the steering of the car as well as movement in the tire leading to possible excessive tire wear.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #6

May 302008

Intrepid

  • 124,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Leaving a parking lot space, car suddenly had trouble turning, and felt as though tire locked up and I was unable to control steering properly resulted in crash into a cement light post in parking lot. Damages approx. $ 2,500 to car. Car being repaired.

- North Easton, MA, USA

problem #5

Feb 192004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles
While driving at any speed, the consumer experienced a problem with the steering control. The steering became difficult while driving or turning. The vehicle has been to the dealer on several occasions. The dealer replaced the power steering pump and lubricated the steering column and the problem still continued. The vehicle is back at the dealer.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #4

Oct 312002

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles
Steering makes clunking sounds and tends to be very "swishy" while driving. I have taken to dealership twice and complained, both times they stated the steering was within specs even though my personal mechanic had found problems.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

problem #3

Aug 212002

Intrepid

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

problem #2

Mar 212002

(reported on)

Intrepid

  • miles
I have brought this vehicle to the dealership twice where I purchased it complaining of intermittent looseness in steering, squeaking and clunking. The dealer could not duplicate these issues, squeaking was supposedly tire noise, clunking was "just bushings". my right front tire is severly worn on the outer edges at only 5900 miles, the left tire wear is normal. Dealer would not explain or asses why this is. Today I had the steering wheel turned sharp to the left and there was a vibrating noise as if metal was hitting against metal. I called someone out to witness this. About two miles later I was driving and the steering wheel was difficult to turn all of a sudden and steering felt heavy. Vehicle all of a sudden turns sharper and steering responds different than usual. When trying to investigate issue and manuvering the steering back and fourth the vehicle was swerving excessively as it never had before. Front end felt as if it was taking bumps harder than usual and was even hopping slighly over some bumps. I could hear noise in the passenger side front wheel area. I immediately brought the vehicle to the dealer. The shop foreman road tested and wouldn't say much about the steering. I explained that the wheel was always much easier to turn and explained that the steering is all of a sudden responding differently. Several bumps felt harsh from the passenger side where they had not felt as harsh before. I could hear and feel a light clunking during braking three times from the passenger seat. Shop foreman didn't really seem to notice much wrong as usual. He did see the tire wear and was like "wow". he is going to ask the service manager for permission to put the vehicle on their alignment machine. They have looked at the vehicle on the lift twice and never found anything visually wrong. I have made an appointment to have the vehicle looked at by another vehicle for a second opinion. I feel unsafe in this vehicle and unfortunately no other alternative to get to work.

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #1

Feb 222002

(reported on)

Intrepid

  • miles
Steering issues still continue. After steering was feeling loose for some time it felt as if it tightened up all of a sudden. Slight vibration once felt in steering wheel on freeway. Steering wheel slightly flopped to the right today while driving and steering seemed to drift. Steering felt jerky and would cause vehicle to almost swerve. Steering does not feel normal. Manufacture is supposed to arrange for district technician to check at dealership. Steering jerks usually during hard acceleration and did not do this when vehicle was new until recently. I am concerned that the steering my fail or not perform as it should. I have had a witness drive my car for verification. Steering attitude intermittently changes. I am used to driving front wheel drive Chrysler vehicles and the steering attitude should not change as such.

- Fremont, CA, USA

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