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.
On Saturday July 17th, I neglected to roll up my driver's side window and it rained heavily overnight while I slept. The next morning, I had no working dash gauges which included no power to stereo, clock, etc. Upon further investigation, battery was unhooked in hopes it would reset everything. Result is return of power to stereo and clock but still no dash gauges. Where trip meter and mileage are, reads NO BUS. Engine light, air bag light are on and dash will light up but no working gauges. Two seperate dashes were installed and a body control module were put in and no change. Tried unplugging and re-plugging several things under dash but no change. The car still drives great but frustrated that the dash is not working and can't figure out what will fix it or the cost.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
On Saturday July 17th, I neglected to roll up my driver's side window and it rained heavily overnight while I slept. The next morning, I had no working dash gauges which included no power to stereo, clock, etc. Upon further investigation, battery was unhooked in hopes it would reset everything. Result is return of power to stereo and clock but still no dash gauges. Where trip meter and mileage are, reads NO BUS. Engine light, air bag light are on and dash will light up but no working gauges. Two seperate dashes were installed and a body control module were put in and no change. Tried unplugging and re-plugging several things under dash but no change. The car still drives great but frustrated that the dash is not working and can't figure out what will fix it or the cost.
- dunlapgal, Dunlap, IA, US