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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,111 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. While driving approximately 75 mph, the air bags deployed without warning or impact. There were no injuries sustained. The check engine indicator illuminated before the failure. The vehicle was not towed, repaired, or taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000.
On 10/15/03 I was involved in a head on collision and my air bags did not deploy. I drive a 1999 Dodge Intrepid and the other vehicle was a 2000 Jeep Cherokee. The other vehicle had both air bags deploying. The intial impact was on my driver's side headlight. The entired hood and front fender was removed. I was taken to the hospital and my injuries were a collapsed lung and 3 broken ribs. I was there for 3 days. Both the officer invetigating the crash and the body shop said that it should have deployed. I am off work for 3-4 weeks and have no vehicle now. Had the air bags deployed my injuries could have been a lot less severe.
While driving at 25/30 mph air bag clockspring module failed. This resulted in air bag, horn, and cruise control malfunctioning. Dealership replaced the clockspring.
Driver's side seat back unexpectedly reclined while driving. As a result, driver's foot hit accelerator pedal and vehicle went into an intersection, hitting another vehicle. None of the airbags deployed.
Vehicle experience sudden acceleration while backing out of a parking space, consumer foot was depressing the brake and the vehicle continue to rev, jerk and accelerate down a 30- foot embankment, the air bag failed to deploy during accident.
Vehicle experience sudden acceleration while backing out of a parking space, consumer foot was depressing the brake and the vehicle continue to rev, jerk and accelerate down a 30- foot embankment, the air bag failed to deploy during accident.
This vehicle has been in the dealer 4 times and has 1500 miles. The major problem, was a major water leak or leaks. The vehicle has been out of service for a total of 20 days. After finding a huge puddle on the driver's side floor, dealer was contacted, and vehicle was taken apart inside and out. After dealer performed recommended repairs per technical service bulletin(980710232998), vehicle still leaked. Dealer "sealed" every screw, grommet, and wire that entered firewall. After sending car through car wash six times, vehicle appeared leak-free. It remains to be seen if the many leaks in vehicle have actually been corrected since dealer could not pinpoint the location of any leak.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- New Lexington, OH, USA