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.

6.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
66,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (1 reports)
2000 Dodge Intrepid engine problems

engine problem

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2000 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments

problem #1

Sep 252007

(reported on)

Intrepid ES 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

WOW!!! I see the people who own the 2.7 are having a rough time of things! My 3.2's engine clicks for the first few seconds at cold start-up. I was told to add a bottle of Rislone to the oil. The mech. said it would help clear out the oil tubes where the oil travels up to the head (once again, SLUDGE?) and then do an oil change immediately. I'm somewhat leery about bothering to do anything at this point other than regular oil changes after hearing the horror stories everyone is having. I should just park it in my yard and plant flowers around the thing! I only saw a couple of people having problems with the 3.2, but on further investigation on other websites I found this motor is almost as bad as the 2.7. I just bought the car last week and still have the ability to get the extended warranty our credit union offers with used cars if the mileage is under 100K. Tomorrow morning I will be sprinting to the CU to have the extra coverage put on it!!! They said it covers engine replacement or head rebuilding if need be. I am sure the insurance company will try to get by as cheaply as possible, if not outright blame me for the problem! Everyone ought to investigate before plunking down hard earned cash on these wrecks! I took mine to my mech. BEFORE I bought it, but neither he nor I heard it start up from cold. This is my first Dodge, and I'm 45 Y.O. One thing I saw online, is the availability of 3rd party insurers. If you are going to take a chance on any used vehicle with mileage close to 50K, look into the added insurance. I had done this on my Saturn, and it saved me $5200 for an engine replacement! I don't have a reason why I overlooked the added coverage at the CU at the time of purchase, but I won't make that mistake again. I think it was just fool-hearty optimism on my part.

- krieg, Eau Claire, WI, US

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