NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling: Exhaust System: Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

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.

3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,756 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.

2000 Dodge Intrepid exhaust system problems

exhaust system problem

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2000 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments

problem #9

Nov 232018

Intrepid

  • 129,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. When the contact entered the vehicle, a fuel odor was detected. The contact lifted the hood and noticed the odor as well as fuel leaking from under the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that a new manifold needed to be installed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000.

- Heartford, CT, USA

problem #8

Jun 022006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles
Had short block replaced by warranty, timing chain let go one night just off the highway which was not covered by the warranty. After not being able to drive it for the last 2 years, I just paid it off !!!!

- Fall River, MA, USA

problem #7

Oct 262007

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles
My 2.7 V-6 engine in my Dodge Intrepid blew up because of a timing chain failure do to sludge in the motor due to a engine design defect. The car was well maintained. All service records are available for review. I was left stranded on the road at night in a bad neighborhood.

- Chardon, OH, USA

problem #6

Mar 172004

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,702 miles

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

The contact stated while driving vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a local dealership. They replaced the timing chain, intake manifold, coolant tube, and serpentine belt. The vehicle was driven home. The vehicle drove fine for awhile. The vehicle then experienced the same problem. It was taken back to the dealership, and they replaced the chain tensioner. The vehicle drove fine again for awhile. Then it started experiencing the same problem. It was taken to an independent repair shop. They found that when the previous dealership had replaced the chain tensioner they had not tightened the bolts properly. This caused the valves and the head to be warped. No repairs were made.

- Caspian, MI, USA

problem #5

Jun 222004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,100 miles
My wife was driving the car and it stopped. We took it to the dealer the company we bought the warrenty from won't pay because there was sludge in the motor.we only had the car 8 months.the oi L& filter was changed.the car as been at the dealerfor 4 months.

- Evergreen Park, IL, USA

problem #4

Sep 042004

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I bought 2000 Dodge ON6/09/2001 with 24269 miles on it also bought exteneded warranty.on Oct.4,2001 input sensor went out of it. Now on Sept.4,2004 the output sensor went out.car only has 58122 miles now.I bought car at whlteys automall and they say sensors are not covered on this car. I think these companys are ripping comsumers off.this car has been taken care of.Dodge has a problem with these sensors and they should do a recall on them. Thank you for your time.I would like to know how many other people have had problems with this kind of thing.

- Mt.Vernon, OH, USA

problem #3

Jul 252004

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While driving consumer noticed smoke coming from the rear. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection.

- Conway, AR, USA

problem #2

Nov 042003

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles
I was driving my Dodge 2000 Intrepid and suddenly without warning my car started making a loud noise and smoke was coming out from under the hood and the tail pipe of my car. My car stalled and the power steering and brakes locked up. My car was towed to the Dodge dealership and I was later told that my engine had failed due to a sludge problem. I was told that my car's warranty had expired even through I have 2,000 miles left for the 36,000 mile warranty. I was told because I purchased the car in December 1999 my warranty was for three years or 36,000 miles which ever comes first. I made a phone call to the manufacturer to see if there was any recalls, since I had moved from my previous address, but there was not. I could not believe that this engine failure was due to something I did. I contacted a repair shop to find out the cost of repair. The repair person called me back and I was told that the manufacturer of a rebuild engine company was aware of a defective engine that caused a sludging problem and premature engine failure. The engine is a 2.7 liter that Chrysler made between the years of 1998,1999 and 2000 and that the engine design had changed in 2001. I then went on line and discovered that I am not the only one with this problem there are quite a few people pursuing Chrysler corporation for the same problem and there is also a class action lawsuit regarding the matter. I am now faced with this out-of-pocket expense and am looking at approximately $4,700 in replacement costs. This is placing a severe hardship on me. I am a dislocated worker and am presently living off of unemployment compensation and have recently went back to school for retraining. This is my sole source of transportation. I am also in the process of finding out how I can become invovled in a class action lawsuit that others have filed against Chrysler in the hopes that I can gain some compensation or reimbursement for my loses.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #1

Jan 102001

Intrepid

  • miles
Here is oil leaking into engine manifold, causing a skipping/hesitation in engine. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Jefferson City, MO, USA

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