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:
0 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,135 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.
Consumer noticed smoke coming from the tail pipe. The check engine light illuminated. Consumer took the vehicle to a mechanic, who determined that vacuum hose disengaged. Mechanic placed the vacuuim hose back on. A few days later. The engine light illuminated again. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, who determined that engine had sludge build up in it.
While driving consumer noticed smoke coming from the tail pipe of the vehicle. The check engine light illuminated. Consumer took the vehicle into a mechanic, and mechanic stated that the vacuum hose had come loose. The mechanic placed the vacuum hose back onto the vehicle. A couple of days later, engine light illuminated again. That's when the consumer found out there was sludge build up in the engine.
2001 Dodge Intrepid with 90,000 miles. Engine failed on 3-24-2005. Service garage reports sludge (oil), timing belt issue, lifter damage, and that most feasible correction is new engine.
While driving at any speed vehicle stalled. Driver was unable to restart the vehicle, and it was towed to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced.
Consumer complained of poor performance of the 2.7 liter engine in 2001 Dodge Intrepid SE. Bf two of the consumer's Dodge Intrepid's experienced these engine failure's which occurred at 114K and 112K miles. Also, the consumer's daughter owned a 2001 Intrepid and the PCM failed without warning. The vehicle suddenly lost power. The second Dodge Intrepid a 1999 vehicle identification number [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Driving 55 on highway engine started knocking and quit timing chain blew up engine. My mechanic said it looked like a stick of dynamite was put in my engine. Reported it to Chrysler and they said bring the suit on it's all your fault. Sludge is from poor care.
Today the engine failed on my 2001 Dodge Intrepid this is the 2.7 liter engine that I have now discovered has so many issues lodged against it. I have not taken it to a shop yet for estimate/repairs.
We bought a 2001 Dodge Intrepid in March 2002. We also purchased the 5yr/100,000mile extended warranty. About 5 weeks ago, I was heading down the road for work and my car just conked out. Had it towed and later found out it was the engine. We notified daimler Chrysler and they had it towed to martin dealership in turnersville NJ. The adjuster came and found small amounts of sludge in the engine and asked for receipts for oil changes and we gave them all we had. We took good care with oil changes almost every other month. The mechanic then calls back and said we were denied and the cost will be around $6,500. The adjuster also said that nobody does oil changes on sundays, (one or two of the receipts had Sunday dates, and we did have the oil changed on a few sundays).the mechanic said the 2.7 Intrepid has a long history of sludge problems even if you change the oil often. Why don't they take this in consideration instead of making up other reasons for not paying?
While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The driver tried to restart the vehicle and was not able to do so. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the engine needed to be replaced.
While driving 10 mph vehicle stalled without warning. The driver tried to restart the vehicle but was not able to do so. The vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection, and the mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine locked up due to sludge.
While driving 30 mph, the consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Suddenly, the vehicle stalled. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle and was able to do so. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the engine needed to be replaced.
Engine failure -knocking in engine- no notice-----put car in shop--said bearing -bolts--fell out of engine into oil pan...2.7 engine. Can't afford even a used or remanufactured one to replace--price to high due to supply and demand from failure of this engine for 1998 thru 2001 Intrepids.
Purchased car in 02 with 11000 miles. Maintained car well. At 57000 miles the engine and transmission blew. Dealer said their was a build up of sludge. My car was in the shop for 30 days. 4 days after repaired I returned it to dealer with complaint of transmission slipping. They couldn't feel it slipping when they drove it. Now tonight, 3 weeks later, it was towed back to the shop for transmission failure.
The engine failed while driving. This is a 2001 Dodge Intrepid with under 67,000 miles on it. The timing chain snapped and the 2.7 liter engine needs to be replaced.
2001 Dodge Intrepid SE started making a loud rattling noise for no reason. Had car towed to a garage, and mechanic refused to work on it. Had car towed to second garage, mechanic told us that the engine needed to be replaced. Car had 70000 miles and kept in good condition with regular oil changes and mantaince. Told it would cost $5000 for repair still owe $12000 on car. This is absolutly unreal. I guess it will just sit and rot in my driveway. Some one needs to make Dodge walk up to the plate. This is pure robbery.I was also told that this year Intrepid was bad for engine failure. And this web site proves it.
20 01 Dodge Intrepid,43K. Mi., purchased in 02, drive 7000. Miles, year maintained to specks. Last oil change showed massive amounts of sludge build-up. Two weeks later the engine blew. According to serv. Mgr. At dealership where we purchased it, it is the timing chain guides. I'm sure he's farmiliar with the noise because Chrysler have denied thousands of people the use of thier 2.7 L engined vehicles for a long, long time. It is a known cronic problem with this engine, and they know it, and nothing is being done about it. And, like thousands of others, we have to continue to pay for the driveway ornament as it can only sit there. We certaimly can't afford to fix it, so we borrowed my mother-in laws car, which got stolen from our driveway a week after we borrowed it. This problem must be addressed immediately by the proper authorities and they must be held accountable for any and all repairs needed to be able to get rid of the car.
I have a 2001 Dodge Intrepid I purchased this car from the dealership approx. 2years ago (it was a loaner car) first I had to replace the cooling fan (no big deal) now I am finding out that the entire engine needs to be replaced. While getting my oil changed the attendant told me that I had a small oil link that needed to be addressed so I took the car over to my mechanic the same day who told me that the engine would need to be rebuilt or replaced this car only has 62,000 miles on it I can't imagine having to replace an engine so soon I have had my oil changed regularly and my mechanic knows that but still he says that there is oil built up inside the engine then he tells me that he has has several people in his shop with similiar problems.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Antioch, TN, USA