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.
4.9
definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,000 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.
1999 Dodge Intrepid ES: I have previously made comments in regard to my vehicle handling and it's flimsy, loose feeling steering and how the front wheels feel like they slip sometimes around slight turns. The front wheels actually feel like they are sometmes fluttering especially over bumps or railroad tracks usually at 35+mph. I have actually almost lost control when being in far left lane driving at around 65mph around bends in highway or freeway especially those that are bumpy. I brought in to five star dealer where purchased. I wasen't sure exactly how to explain the problem properly, I described the best I could. I have thought that the loose steering is causing the front wheels to bounce or flutter. The service center was not very receptive. The tech that drove my car stated that the sensitive steering was normal. Also there is no steering wheel lock when vehicle is parked or it is defective or not present. Does this have anything to do with it? I have read about 2 or 3 other ODI's that described simular problems but not as in detail or with information of the front wheels sometimes bouncing all over the place or fluttering over bumps or front wheels sliding. With this problem I feel uncomfortible driving in wet or rainy conditions. It almost feels that around some freeway or road bends driving at 45+mph it sometimes feels like the front wheels are slightly slipping or sliding. My old 1995 Dodge Intrepid was front wheel drive as well and never did this although it had it's problems. I could do 65mph on a rainy freeway and I could feel very comfortible with the vehicles traction and steering. My 1999 Dodge Intrepid ES is newer with sport suspension and steering, better tires and 16" aluminum wheels yet I am having these problems never having them with my old inferior 1995 Dodge Intrepid. There is something wrong here. I do not feel my vehicle continually handles safely, I am afraid that I could loose control one day and crash. Please advise. Thank you.
- San Leandro, CA, USA
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- Silvis, IL, USA