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.
I just bought my 2000 chrysler intrepid ES less than a week ago. I am already having issues with it. So far, it is only noise coming from the front end( i hear the noise mainly when it is in park or neutral). I took it to my local mechanic today and he said that it is one of the tensioner pulleys, he didnt know which one it was unless he took apart the front end and took a good look. he told me that before he would do that, that i should take it back to the dealer i bought it from and have thier mechanics fix it, since it is probably under my 90 day warranty. If it does fall under the warranty, then I am definitely having them do it and i save the 200 dollars.
I don't know if this might be related to the pulley issue, but i am also hearing a rattling noise from the front when i come to a stop, like something might be loose there and rubbing up against something. I thought it might be cv joints or something like that, but it does not do it when i make any kind of turn. only, for instance, when i am pulling up to a stop sign, or pulling into my driveway.
I am very frustrated and nervous about this car. I did not read about any of these complaints about the intrepid until after i bought it. i just discovered autobeef yesterday.my last car was starting to have problems,and i sure dont want to start having too many problems with this one right off the bat. my brother in law owns an intrepid also, same year and engine as mine, and he has had no major problems with it( he bought it new). I only hope that if i take care of it well(the previous owners seemed to have)that i will have a good vehicle for the next 3 to 5 years.
you know that god awful squeaking that comes from under the hood ??? yeah, we had that. the tensioner pulley is made of plastic, and it is junk. my husband made a replica out of metal and put it on the car. no problems now
- Star J.,
Escanaba, MI, US
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I just bought my 2000 chrysler intrepid ES less than a week ago. I am already having issues with it. So far, it is only noise coming from the front end( i hear the noise mainly when it is in park or neutral). I took it to my local mechanic today and he said that it is one of the tensioner pulleys, he didnt know which one it was unless he took apart the front end and took a good look. he told me that before he would do that, that i should take it back to the dealer i bought it from and have thier mechanics fix it, since it is probably under my 90 day warranty. If it does fall under the warranty, then I am definitely having them do it and i save the 200 dollars.
I don't know if this might be related to the pulley issue, but i am also hearing a rattling noise from the front when i come to a stop, like something might be loose there and rubbing up against something. I thought it might be cv joints or something like that, but it does not do it when i make any kind of turn. only, for instance, when i am pulling up to a stop sign, or pulling into my driveway.
I am very frustrated and nervous about this car. I did not read about any of these complaints about the intrepid until after i bought it. i just discovered autobeef yesterday.my last car was starting to have problems,and i sure dont want to start having too many problems with this one right off the bat. my brother in law owns an intrepid also, same year and engine as mine, and he has had no major problems with it( he bought it new). I only hope that if i take care of it well(the previous owners seemed to have)that i will have a good vehicle for the next 3 to 5 years.
- Corinne T., Elkhart, IN, US