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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,721 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2000 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Feb 242015

Intrepid

  • 135,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. While driving at 55 mph, there was a burning odor. In addition, the steering wheel made an abnormal noise when turning in both directions and all lights, meters, and gauges on the instrument panel failed to function. The contact also stated that the rear lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.

- Reeds Spring, MO, USA

problem #22

May 012012

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • 191,963 miles
As I was driving along and approached my exit, the steering wheel locked up and would not allow me to control the car. I was able to stop the car safely hitting some brush on the side of the road. No damage or injuries were incurred, but this was very frightening! now, the steering is still getting stuck on turns and I have no horn! the airbag light is now showing and I don't know whats going on with this car! something needs to be done. No warnings, or recalls have been made, and there a many concerns of others going through the same issue with this car. Please advise on what is going to be done about this problem before someone gets killed!

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #21

Apr 172012

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • 150 miles
My 2000 Intrepid S engine blew up 2 years ago and again 2days ago there was no warning. Master cylinder is failing and the steering pin broke in the car and left me helpless I ended up in a ditch. I called Dodge and they said they couldn't help because it was out of warranty past 7 years and its only been 2.

- Shamokin, PA, USA

problem #20

Sep 012011

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • 55,000 miles

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

Vehicle has excessive play in steering which causes car to wander while driving, especially at higher speeds. Requires constant adjusting while driving this car is unsafe and makes me a little leary about driving it at all. This seems to be a big promblem with this vehicle and I wonder why the dept. Of transportation and highway safety hasn't done anything about it!

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #19

Jan 262010

Intrepid

  • 130,000 miles
2000 Dodge Intrepid the power steering started acting up, problem's like wining and hard to steer at times. Than finally it went out all together we took the car to the local shop after two power pumps and a new steering rack-N-pinion the mechanic still couldn't figure what the problem was.when he called and said that there was nothing else he could do about the steering problem and he didn't know what was causing it to steer so hard, so he told us to come and get the !@#$%'thing out of his sight ! so that's when I went on line and read about all the problem's everyone else was having and also confirmed my suspicions on what might be the problem. (the wrong fluid in res.)so now that I drained the fluid and flushed all the lines a couple times the thing works fine.

- Springfield, WI, USA

problem #18

Jul 032009

Intrepid

  • 160,000 miles
Almost lost control of the steering while driving on the interstate highway. Car started shaking so we pulled of to the side of the road as soon as possible. The inner tie rod bushings were completely gone with just the bolt and washer holding the tie rod on the steering rack. Had to replace the inner tie rods, but still need to replace the steering rack.

- Windsor, CA, USA

problem #17

May 072009

Intrepid

  • 140,364 miles

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

Backing out of a parking space in 2000 Dodge Intrepid ES with 140K miles, there was a loud pop and had complete loss of steering in the front left wheel. The bolt that secures the tie rod to the rack and pinion had completely pulled out of the rack and pinion. If this had occurred while driving, it would have resulted in a major accident. Rack and pinion needs to be replaced to fix the problem. I did not have the part replaced, so I still have the old part. I have parked the car and refuse to drive it.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #16

May 012005

Intrepid

  • miles
The 2000 Dodge Intrepid ES 3.2L model has a rack and pinion problem. Mine started around may of 05 at about 63,000 miles. It started out just as a clunking noise. I had replaced all kinds of parts within the past few years like lower and upper ball joints, inner tie rods (twice), front end alignments, etc., thinking that the noise would be fixed. After all that was replaced on this car, I figured that the car was just made that way. As of this year, the steering started making a louder clunking noise when turning and straightening the wheels. At this point it just keeps getting louder and louder. I've had this looked at twice by different mechanics. The dealer in pittsburgh says that the replacement is $875 (which does not include labor) and that it is on back order and that the remanufactured ones are no longer available. I went online and found an unbelievable amount of consumers having the same type of problems with many chyrysler/Dodge vehicles. It seems alot of them have been sent to you. The one site is: www.dontbuydodgechryslervehicles.com/dodge_chrysler_steering_problems.htm there was another site that I contacted earlier this year (www.dodgechryslersteeringproblems.com) (which as I looked today are no longer there) and they said to contact you which I am doing. Please reply to this. This seems to be a very serious problem. When I asked the dealer about this, they said my year should not have this problem! guess what... it does! as I look at the questions that are listed below, luckily I can say I don't have to click on yes to any of them or to put in the number of deaths.....and hopefully I won't need to. But from what I'm seeing, my days are numbered.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #15

Aug 282008

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,445 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. When turning the vehicle, the steering would not return to its normal position. The contact had to pull the steering wheel back manually. The vehicle then began making a clunking noise in the front end. The diagnosis was that the rack and pinion steering had internal play and the steering gear needed to be replaced. The contact referenced technical service bulletin number 1900101 (steering). The current and failure mileages were 67,445. Updated 10/03/08 updated 10/06/08.

- Derby, NY, USA

problem #14

Sep 202005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles
Steering on car makes loud clunking noises and freezes/locks at low to medium speeds( preventing any operator control for 1 to 5 seconds). Usually seems to be when turning left however that is not steadfast either. Even turning wheel to back car out of driveway will make large clunking sound in front end. Seems to be usually within first five to 10 minutes of car running however that is not steadfast. This car has not crashed yet but the potential has presented itself more than once. At this point I refuse to let my small children ride in car.

- Atlantic Highlands, NJ, USA

problem #13

May 312005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

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

2000 Dodge Intrepid bought in April used with 11,000 miles. Since then it has been in shop 9-10 times, mostly consisting of steering problems, such as rack and pinion and the steering coupler. There were other issues, but this was the main concern. One week ago the consumer was involved in an accident, front end impact for which the air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained injuries. No repairs after the accident because there was over $6,000 worth of damage. Emergency brake handle was loose. The dealer determined the it was not connected. The dealer repositioned/reassembled the emergency brake. The key wouldn't come out of the ignition because the shift interlock cable broke. The check engine light illuminated. The dealer replaced the wiring to the brake light switch.

- Granger, IN, USA

problem #12

Mar 032005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Steering sticking while turning car. Nability to correct turn once inputed, has lead to the car leaving the road several times.

- Jacksonville, AR, USA

problem #11

Jul 152003

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,017 miles
Engine in 2000 Chrysler Intrepid started tapping noise at 58017km brought to dealer with complaint, told they would not take engine apart to check noise. I told them I had been told that the 2.7 engine had problems with sludge that prevented the oil from circulating properly. They still refused to check engine. At just over 62000 km engine became noisy. Brought it back to dealer who kept the car for two weeks, then told me engine needed to be replaced at a cost of $6500 and there would be no warranty coverage or goodwill. I gave them a complete history of maintenance records showing that proper maintenance was done with in the required mileage and time. They have told me that the invoices do not clearly identify my 2000 black Intrepid and that it could of been another car. I only own one 2000 Intrepid. The invoice shows the work the mileage and my name and date. Next me they told me the invoice numbers were too close together. The work was done at four different garages. Then they told me there was sludge that showed the vehicle was not properly maintained. Then they asked me the brand of oil the garages used as it may have been faulty. End result is that they refuse to change their position in regards to warranty coverage or goodwill repairs and I will have to replace an engine that was bought brand new in May 2001. I am frustrated and do not know where to turn. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

- Barrie, UN, USA

problem #10

Oct 152003

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
Since I bought this car on October of 1999, I have taken it to the dealer 31 times to fix things. I have been without a car 100 days. I have paid out of pocket $3,137.64. I am now on an extended warranty. I still owe $8,000 on my car. It has 60,000 miles. I have maintained it every 3,000 miles as suggested in the owners manual. I only use 97 octane gas. I am a very cautious driver. I take care of the car but the car has left me stranded in the middle of highways putting my life and the lives of my passengers in danger. I never know when the car is going to break down again and where so I am always under terrible stress. I pray as I drive that I make it to my destination. This car has been a lemon since I bought it. The biggest problem is the engine blowing. My brother in law was driving and I was the passenger on South dixie highway (US1) in South miami when we were at a red light and then started to go when the light turned green and without any warning lights, noises, or anything the car stopped running. It died in the middle lane. We had to push it to the side. It was rush hour and this highway is filled with very aggressive drivers. They were all cursing, beeping, signaling, and driving so close to us as to almost touch us. I was petrified. I thought a car was going to hit us. I paid for the engine repair out of my pocket, because the extended warranty company told the dealer they could not cover it because there was sludge build up. They send an adjustor who reported it to them. The dealer told us to fight it because the sludge was normal for that type of engine. We provided the extended warranty all the receipts for the maintenance that we religiously did about every 3000 miles. We also had another mechanic go in and look at the car. The other mechanic said that these types of engines always had the problem of sludge build up and that it was normal for the engine and that the extended warranty should cover it.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #9

Nov 152003

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,254 miles
Steering developed 'play' in late 10/03. By 11/12/03 it was clunking, wheel was cocked to the right. Steering wheel would stick/lock up. Contacted dealer in santa rosa, ca. Was quoted $175 estimate. Later, same day learned that rack was broken and pump was leaking and cost would be a minimum $2000 to repair. I opted to go to another mechanic and had the car towed away from the dealer shop.

- Hopland, CA, USA

problem #8

Jun 152002

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles
Traveling at 70 mph on interstate 65, the vehicle was drifting right and then veered right. Vehicle would not respond. Vehicle hit right guardrail and was deflected to the left across 3 lanes and impacted the center concrete divider.

- Decatur, AL, USA

problem #7

Sep 122003

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,394 miles
The vehicle's steering wheel had so much play. The vehicle crossed the center lime of the highway which forced the oncoming cars to the shoulder.

- Beatrice, NE, USA

problem #6

Apr 282003

Intrepid

  • miles
While driving at any speed and with no warning steering bolt will lose and it is causing the steering wheel to jump around, making it hard for consumer to steer the vehicle.

- Saguache, CO, USA

problem #5

Dec 202001

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have found an excellent and informative website against daimler Chrysler at www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com for anyone who would like more information mainly in regard to Intrepid, 300M, concorde, lhs premature engine, steering, transmission and other common failures. I have experienced many of these problems myself and daimler Chrysler simply does not care, I could have even been killed in one instance. After own another vehicle and putting nearly 30,000 miles on it I have not had any of the ridiculous problems experienced with Chrysler's Dodge brand of vehicles. There is a lot of information consumers need to know that daimler Chrysler does not want you to know about these vehicles and their common problems Chrysler ignores, some of which are potential safety concerns such as the defective seat belt design Chrysler continues to use and defective steering design and or components that can cause sudden looseness or change of response in steering, which can lead to a serious accident. These guys have been receiving complaints daily about these problems and have been referring consumers to the NHTSA, I hope that in turn the NHTSA will add this to the list of their complaints so others will also know about this. Thank you very much for your time.

- San Leandro, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 022002

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles
Loss of steering control. Vehicle veered right and would not respond.

- Decatur, AL, USA

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