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:
11 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
13 / 2
Average Mileage:
31,753 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.
This vehicle had been serviced during the month of December for a recall problem that occurred before. My wife was in a accident and the front air bags didn't deploy. The front end was badly damaged. My wife also was jerked before the seat belt grabbed her.
Aecm memory did not register upon impact in accident. The airbag "did not deploy" at "impact". major damage to the main frame in front of the car. The main bar is pushed back into the radiator, in which the radiator is pushed back close to the motor. The front end was destroyed, headlights were pointed in different directions. I just recently (Dec 05) had my seat repaired again, in which it was under recall, for the recliner bolt that kept breaking.
: the contact stated that the air bags in her vehicle did not deploy in a front end collision at 45 mph. There was braking prior to impact. There was a police report taken and the vehicle was driven away from the scene. The driver sustained minor injuries from the seat belt. There was damage to the hood, bumper, and driver side fender. The driver side door will not open. The vehicle has not been seen by a mechanic. Updated 3/20/2006 -
Car #2 made a left turn at a red light in front of me and was hit on their passenger's side at approx. 40 mph with no air bag deployment in my car. Major front end damage including bent frame rail to over $10,500. Daughter had slight concussion and I had chest pain from seatbelt. Chrysler said their was no problem with airbags?
Consumer was traveling 45mph and hit colvert with front driver side & broke an axle. Vehicle flipped over & airbags never deployed. Dealer was contacted. Consumer found out there were 3 sensors & 2 had to set off.
Driving 55-60mph when large truck in front, with no tailgate, lost an axle it was carrying as part of a load. It rolled off the truck & struck the vehicle in front. Air bags failed to deploy. Vehicle ran over axle, and was severely damaged. Driver suffered nerve damage to neck and shoulder.
While driving on a city road vehicle in front was making a left hand turn then it stopped in middle of road. Rearended vehicle, and neither airbag deployed.
Consumer was in a collision that consisted of consumer rear ending another vehicle at 30mph, and air bags did not deploy, causing consumer to sustain many injuries. At one point consumer was on a life support machine. Manufacturer was contacted.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Memphis, TN, USA