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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,258 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.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Intrepid. After performing maintenance on the vehicle, the contact started the vehicle and the intake manifold exploded. The contact sustained a stomach injury that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Own 1999 Dodge Intrepid with 60,000 miles. The oil light continued to illuminate. However, kept oil changed regularly. Wife was driving home, and the vehicle locked up in the middle of the road. Was able to restart and make it to the side of the road and was towed. Took vehicle to service dealer, and they diagnosed as the crank shaft bearings were worn out, and were not receiving oil. This happened all the time with these motors. Builds up sludge within the motor. After inspection, recommended a new motor. The value of car is $4,000 and the motor costs $5,000. After the new motor was ordered changed mind, was charged $800 for restocking fee and car is still not repaired.
Driving home one night and the my 1999 Dodge itrepid 2.7L V6 just stalled on me. It was taken to a local mechanic who at first baffled what was worn. After doing some reasearch on the engine he realized what a problem these engines are and how Chrysler cares nothing about fixing them. Just some minor checking was done and the mechanic found there was no compression in the number5 cylinder and the air was going straight through to the exhaust. Nothing has been done since then and I still deciding what to do with my vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Phoenix, AZ, USA