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.
when I got this car I hoped it would last me more than 7 months. now I have no car. I cant afford to get another car. I am Kind of glad that car is dead. it was high maintenece. for the past month the oil light was on when I am idling, last week I had the sending unit replaced. That did not fix it. the next week oil was burning under the hood. I had it taken to a mechanic. he told me that the oil pressure was really low. now the car is sitting in the driveway. it is a shame that an engine will die after 99k miles. well I learned my lesson. I will never ever buy another dodge or chrysler product. dodge just plain sucks. Buy Ford or Chevy
OIL LIGHT CAME ON WHEN ENGINE GOT WARM WIFE SAID IT WAS MAKING A TICKING SOUND WHEN OIL FLICKERS. I'M AN AUTO TECH. I REPLACE THE OIL PUMP WITCH COST ME AROUND $600.00 FOR PARTS NO LABOR DID THE WORK MYSELF.IT WAS THE WORST ONE I EVER DID WILL NOT DO ANOTHER ONE. AFTER TEAR DOWN, I NOTICED THERE WAS A LOT OF SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE, AND THE OIL PAN OIL SERVICE WAS DONE EVERY 3000. MILES WITH PEN. OIL AND WICKS FILTER. ANY WAY AFTER 4 TO 5 EVENINGS I GOT IT ALL BACK TOGETHER AND STARTED THE CAR, TEST DROVE THE CAR IT HAD THE SAME LOUD TICKING ON THE TOP RIGHT HAND BANK OF ENG. I BELIEVE IT WILL NEED CAMS AND LIFTERS NOW. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER DODGE CAR EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All right lets see here..... Yea I'm 23 and i have worked on cars for a long time not as long as some around here... I will tell you when i first bought my dodge intrepid 1999 2.7l with 60,000 miles for $3000.00 i thought i was getting a steal.... Thought until the first time i had to work on it...... a good old 15 min job took 3 hours replacing the simple little thermostat......... the next thing that had to go was my transmission.. wheel bearing, CV joint, AC, oil pump, oil pressure sensor, and now the engine hums, crank shaft bearings main bearings, timing and all the good main parts of the engine that make it turn..... I have probably spent 600.00 so far to rebuild the engine and it didn't take that long till i started to do the head work.... i can not find any one that wants to touch them and i cannot find the appropriate MILLER tool to do the job..... and why is it when i call dodge that they tell me it will cost 100 an hour to do the work..... i will tell you this car is a great car if i never had to work on it.... no i don't feel like a sucker, i am just hoping now that i rebuilt everything that this car will run for another 100000 and i can sell it to a lucky sap.... lol... and people honestly the mechanics that are working on your cars half the time they don't know wtf they are talkin about.... i was also told to get a new engine..... well i saved myself 2,900.00 and honestly all of our biggest complaints are MONEY money to fix these cars..... mechanics hate to work on them and the easy solution is..... GET A NEW ENGINE..... and yes dodge did a sh*tty job engineering the heads on these.... they do get oil sludge build up but you can fix that...... kerosene. I ran it through my engine twice and i don't have the same problem that people have that put 40,000 miles on these cars i have 163,000.00 and i let a friend drive my car for two weeks that is the reason my car fell apart... he didn't check the oil and he beat the sh*t out of it..... well if you need advice feel free to email me i know alot about these cars or cars in general.... so feel free to ask...
Talked to 5 different engine manufacturers. Informed that there are several class action law suits against Dodge for this particular engine. Oil pump is too small for engine.
I purchased this vehicle with 38,618 miles on it, and within two days of owning, the oil light came on. Returned the vehicle to dealer, who had the car 34 days and supposedly replaced the oil pump. Now have 47,710 miles and a blown engine!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
when I got this car I hoped it would last me more than 7 months. now I have no car. I cant afford to get another car. I am Kind of glad that car is dead. it was high maintenece. for the past month the oil light was on when I am idling, last week I had the sending unit replaced. That did not fix it. the next week oil was burning under the hood. I had it taken to a mechanic. he told me that the oil pressure was really low. now the car is sitting in the driveway. it is a shame that an engine will die after 99k miles. well I learned my lesson. I will never ever buy another dodge or chrysler product. dodge just plain sucks. Buy Ford or Chevy
- ojim, Pittsburgh, PA, US