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.
3.3
definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,056 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.
I purchased my 1999 Dodge Intrepid a 1 1/2 ago with 80,000 miles. About 3 months after purchase the cooling fans went and had to replace $400. Then about 2 months ago the crank shaft sensor went. Now the engine is gone. Oil light flickering on and off, check oil level is fine. Went from a tapping noise in engine to the engine sounding like its going to blow up. Cant drive piece of junk and still owe $7,000 on it.
1999 Intrepid ES, 114,000 miles. A/C stopped working. A/C fuse was intact, and a diagnosis of the compressor showed it was okay and full of freon. Further examination showed that the radiator fan/high fuse was blown, which was keeping the A/C compressor from coming on. Fuse was replaced, but blew again later. Radiator fan assembly was replaced which fixed both problems.
1999 Dodge Intrepid water pump and timing chain failed. The vehicle would not start while at the gas station. The vehicle never ran hot or made loud noises and there were no indications of a problem. The consumer was informed per service dealer that the engines had serious problems. The consumer felt that maybe in was not necessary to replace the entire engine at 59,500 miles. Chrysler was not willing to refund the consumer some or all of the monies spent on repairs. The A/C evaorator coil, fan resistor and trunk lock master cylinder which were all in perfect working order pror to being serviced at the dealership failed to work properly after vehicle was pick up from service. Dealership claimed problems were unrelated.
First one of the fans went then a few months later the other went. From about 60,000 miles, I have blew blue smoke coming out of the tailpipe had seals replaced but did no good. Still smoking. Transmission went out completly. The the 1st fan is going out again. (hint) the plastic fans are junk!! the 2.7 liter is not enough for the Intrepid body I'm told. I'm planning on trading before we are stuck with another 2,000 repair bill on a vehicle kbbv at 2700.
- Archdale , NC, USA
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Oil was replaced every week. Vehicle overheated due to defective thermostat. Cooling fan motor was replaced over a year ago. Smoke came from under the hood, then through the air vents when driving at 25 mph and faster. Independent mechanic replaced fan motor. Then, vehicle stalled intermittently. But would restart, and was still drivable.
While driving and sitting at an intersection vehicle overheated. The light registered hot on the dashboard. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the cooling fan needed to be replaced due to worn out part. Consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred more than once and had not been resolved.
Ignition switch was replaced twice because the wiring harness was defective. Also, radiator motor and fan did not work properly, causing the indicator to get to the red zone.
The air conditioner stopped blowing cold air and we took into dealer to service and were told that there was an electrical problem and the A/C fan and the radiator fan were seized. They cannot tell us why this would happen on a vehicle only 4 years old but could only say they "sell a lot of these fans on these vehicles and the stratus vehicles." This sounds like to me that it is a problem with a defective part rather than something the customers should have to buy "a lot of"...
My cooling system fan motors both went out and froze up with only 46000 miles on a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. After further investigation into the problem I found on the internet that several people have had the same problem with their Intrepid's.
Rear passenger's side power window is dead and has failed. When electronic cooling fans for engine turn on automatically as they should during certain engine temperatures front headlights noticeably dim almost looking like they are being flashed for a second or what someone could interoperate as the driver flashing his lights. Headlights also seem to dim slightly when rolling down two windows at the same time. I purchased a professional battery and alternator tester has shown that the vehicles battery and alternator are working as normal. This makes me wonder about the vehicle's electrical system.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Newark, DE, USA