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.

3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,250 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.

1999 Dodge Intrepid cooling system problems

cooling system problem

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1999 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments

problem #4

Sep 012004

Intrepid

  • miles

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

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.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #3

Jun 202004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles
Well, I have had nothing but problems with this car since I have had it. First it was little things like the window only going up or down when it felt like it, the oil light flashing on and off for no reason, the driver seat reclining for no reason, all the weather stripping coming off of the doors. Now my whole engine is shot and I believe it is because of defective parts. I was driving on the freeway the other day when all of the sudden my car was making a noise any time I tried to accelerate. I checked all my gages and everything looked ok, so I turned off my cruise control thinking maybe that was the problem. Someone drove past me and motioned there was a problem, so I stopped and my whole car filled with smoke. I lifted my hood and there was a piece that goes on top of my radiator that was off and steam and water and coolant was everywhere. I had just checked the water before I had left, and my temperature gauge never moved from its usual spot so it was odd that my car would overheat. The tow truck came and said that 2 days before he had the same exact car same exact thing happened. The piece that is on top of the radiator is something that probably should be bolted down, but is actually glued on with a rubber sealant. Once that rubber got so hot, it seems that it melted and came off and with all the pressure the radiator blew and now I have a blown head gasget among other engin damage. The 1st estimate I have gotten is 2,500 which is outrageous, especially since it could have been prevented if they had just used a bold and not rubber glue on a hot radiator.

- Victorville , CA, USA

problem #2

Jul 292003

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles
This is a 1999 Dodge Intrepid, that I have had plenty of problems out of. This was purchased at 29,569 miles, 10/99. Jan 2000 the inner sensor went out, replaced by dealer under warranty. July 2000 the outer sensor went out, replaced by dealer not under warranty per milage at time. Aug 2000 the passenger fan went out, replaced by dealer at a cost of $500. Sense then replaced brakes often, burn lots of oil and plenty of hesitation from the transmission. But my other biggest problem is the window motor, that has gone out in the passenger window twice and now the driver window has completely fail apart. You here nothing but noise when closing the door, cannot let the window up and down without its sounding like its going to break from popping like its getting caught on something. Most of the time you have to pull it up by hand in order to get it to close completely. Has their been a recall on this item?

- Marion, AR, USA

problem #1

Feb 072001

(reported on)

Intrepid

  • miles
The thermostat housing is plastic and has a brass tube running through it which leaks antifreeze, the part has been redesigned but Chrysler refuses to fix consumers vehicle because the vehicle is no longer covered under warranty. Nlm

- De Witt, IA, USA

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