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.

9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$6,500
Average Mileage:
109,200 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
1999 Dodge Intrepid engine problems

engine problem

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1999 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments

problem #3

Feb 282011

Intrepid EX 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,256 miles

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

Bought my 99' Dodge Intrepid 2.7L V6 in June,2010 for $2,850 dollar's cash up front had the car fax like that did any good car. The car ran smooth with no noises and no problems for three months. One day checked the coolant and it was low so I just refilled it and I noticed I was doing that every once a week or two. Then it hit me, problem yes with what, I still don't know. Rechecked the coolant, upper and lower radiator hoses, radiator, thermostat, thermostat gasket and water pump. Nothing needed to be replaced well at least the engine sounded like gold until it sound like it was shaking but it wasn't. It started vibrating a little, then the vibrating got worse. I still didn't what I was looking for so I took it to places like auto zone and advance auto parts they said oh its nothing your cars fine. One night took it work and decided to run for domino at lunch break and white smoke started coming out the driver side of the hood of the car. Pulled over and opened up the hood and I knew it had to be the coolant tank the coolant was empty , so I refilled and the smoke went a way. Next day more and more the vibrating got worse and drove it long enough the temp gauge ran up and I pulled over again more smoke and the worst part was the coolant mixing with the engine oil. It drove me crazy so I talked to Dodge and they said sounds like a head gasket. Then they said I'll need to replace the engine, in there language (don't know what the problem is with the car so let's put a new engine in and charge you up). overhauled the engine my self only to find out in the end the head gaskets were fine but , I didn't pressure test the heads and I personally think the block cracked some where allowing a flow between the coolant and oil. Stupid Intrepid chalked it up for $300 for scrap nice love Dodge hate the Intrepid.

- commoncomplainer, Wilson, NC, US

problem #2

Jul 072011

Intrepid ES 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 141,944 miles

LAST ENTRY for Long list of repairs on 1999 Dodge Intrepid.

06/30/11 Replaced Intake Valve, which meant the top of the motor had to be removed and all the head gaskets had to be replaced too. Everything was fine while driving around our home town. On 07/06/11 my husband and I took a 500 mile round trip to pick up our 1 and 2 year old granddaughters (just one week after replacing intake valve). There were no warning lights on. no indication anything was wrong. As we pulled into our driveway coming home from our trip, I noticed steam coming out of hood. Believe me when I say I am grateful we didn't break down on the highway with our granddaughters. It gets worse, this is a Re-manufactured motor that GE had to pay for and have installed at 81,463 miles when the factory motor through a rod through the block. I only had 2 months left on my extended warranty and I had proof that I had the oil changed every 3,500 miles. Newest motor had it's major 100,000 mile tune-up as it was being installed. That included all belts, plugs, PVC valve and filters. When newest motor had 42,397 miles on it I had the belts checked, changed the Power Steering Belt, Plugs, PVC valve, Air Filter and Oil Filter. And I kept up my 3,500 mile oil changes.

Our regular mechanic told us the newest problem was the water pump. He didn't want to touch that job. Father-in-law found a mechanic willing to do the job for $500.00 labor plus parts. Husband and his father towed car an hour away. To replace water pump mechanic had to remove everything on the front of the motor. Search the internet, job takes 8-10 hrs. Found the heads were warped, reworked them and replaced. Put everything back together just to crank the car and find that the second engine was blown with only 60,481 miles on it. Father-in-law spent a week frantically searching for another motor. Motors too expensive to add to already high mechanics bill. As it turns out, had to scrap car and let them crush it to recoup money for mechanic. If it weren't for my parents loaning me money and my Father-in-law having a small truck he's letting me have for what he's put into fixing it up, I don't know what I would do.

- dncrswll, Hickory, NC, US

problem #1

Dec 142004

(reported on)

Intrepid LX

  • 73,300 miles

Purchased auto from Dealer in Glenwood Iowa. Owner was Dealers father and mother. Had 20,000 miles on it. Maintenance was always done on a timely manner. Driving on the interstate car just quit. Ended up that the water pump went out blowing about 3 gallons of antifreeze into the motor oil. Totaly ruined motor. Warrantee was only 36,000 miles. I had 73,000 on it. Dealer would have nothing to do with it but wanted to charge me $8900.00 for new motor. I owed another year and a half on it. Chrysler told me that I didn't do regluar oil changes (their typical excuse for all of these situations). Ended up buying a rebuilt for $6500.00. Hopefully there will be a class action law suit on these jerks. There are several lawyers looking into this. This is a very bad engine design and Chrysler will not admit their failure.

- basili, Omaha, NE, US

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