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.
Vehicle shimmy from right front when brakes are apply, There was a small shimmy at first, I felt a small vibration on the steering wheel when I apply on the brakes, So I took it in for an inspection, I was also getting ready for a long trip to Phoenix, Arizona and need it fix, I was told, I would need tires and alignment, this seem to get rid of the vibration, for about five hundred miles, going down hills it started vibrating again, when I got to Phoenix, I took it in and there I was told that my rotors where warped, so I had my rotors replaced, and while at it had the brakes replaced, this seem to get rid of the vibration until I got to the hills again, vibration came back worse, so I figure I better take a look at it, when I get back home, I havent done any mechanical work in about five years, due to my arm and back surgery and blurry vision, What I found was looseness on the right front driveaxle, going into the transmission, so something inside the transmission is loose or worn, I know, why could they find this and save me lot of money, I was a mechanic for twenty-eight years, twenty years of it was in the military, tomorrow im going to show the dealer and see if it's covered under the warranty
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Vehicle shimmy from right front when brakes are apply, There was a small shimmy at first, I felt a small vibration on the steering wheel when I apply on the brakes, So I took it in for an inspection, I was also getting ready for a long trip to Phoenix, Arizona and need it fix, I was told, I would need tires and alignment, this seem to get rid of the vibration, for about five hundred miles, going down hills it started vibrating again, when I got to Phoenix, I took it in and there I was told that my rotors where warped, so I had my rotors replaced, and while at it had the brakes replaced, this seem to get rid of the vibration until I got to the hills again, vibration came back worse, so I figure I better take a look at it, when I get back home, I havent done any mechanical work in about five years, due to my arm and back surgery and blurry vision, What I found was looseness on the right front driveaxle, going into the transmission, so something inside the transmission is loose or worn, I know, why could they find this and save me lot of money, I was a mechanic for twenty-eight years, twenty years of it was in the military, tomorrow im going to show the dealer and see if it's covered under the warranty
- Oscar P., Del City, OK, US