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.
Check engine light came on and took it to auto shop they said it was because of the gas cap being loose. After purchasing a new gas cap the check engine light came on again within a couple of days. Recently car would not start had towed to two places then to dealer who said the timeing jumps and there was sluge in the engine quoted a price of 7000+ for repairs the engine needed to be flush and rebuilt.
When attempting to start the vehicle it would not start. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic determined that the engine failed.
2001 Dodge Intrepid, 2.7 L engine, engine clogged with and engine seized. Contacted the dealer, jarrett Dodge hatboro penna on numerous occassions. Would not help at all. Had to replace my engine for $4000+ dollars with rebuilt engine. By doing this many other related failures have occurred.
While driving, the vehicle stalled and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer which found the timing chain was broke and the engine was full of sludge.
While driving at 55 mph, and with no warning vehicle stalled. Vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, and mechanic determined that engine needed to be replaced.
While driving at any speed consumer heard a tapping sound coming from the engine compartment. Consumer used engine additives to stop the noise, which helped for a short time. Eventually, the tapping noise became louder, and the vehicle stalled on the highway. The dealer had already replaced two engines on this vehicle, and another one was needed.
I was on my way home from being out with my friends and my car dies on the highway. I tried to start the car back up, and it would not start. I have a 2001 Dodge Intrepid that I purchased in 2002 with 24,900 miles on it. It now has 36,000 miles on it. I don't understand it?? I have maintained the vehicle sufficiently, frequent oil changes and so on. I was told that I have to purchase a rebuilt engine, in which it would probably cost me about $3000.I when back to the dealer about this problem thinking that they sold me a "lemon" vehicle they denied it and refused to pay at least half to repair the engine and I still have a car note!! I feel I have been mislead and let down by this manufacturer and am appalled that DaimlerChrysler has not recalled the 2.7L engine after sooooo many complaints have been issued. Well it sounds like everybody is having the same problem the Chrysler 2.7L engine.
2001 Dodge Intrepid- 60,000 miles still under warranty engine blew. Engine full of sludge. Chrysler refuses to pay for a new engine. This is not an isolated case. Log on to Chrysler complaints and read all the complaints. Obvious defect in this car, but no one wants to admit to it.
2001 Intrepid with a blown engine, first thought to be the timing chain. Mechanic found "sludge" had caused the problem. This was a well maintained automobile with only 57,000 miles! now we are out a car we still owe on for 3 more years as we cannot afford the $7,000 we are quoted for a new engine. It seems this has happened a lot with the 2.7L engine. Why has Chrysler been allowed to get away with this? even if the car is out of warranty, as ours is, an engine should last a lot longer. As they acknowledge the problem and have since stopped using this engine, as is my understanding, they should replace these faulty engines.
The timing chain and timing chain tensioner started making a clattering noise in my 2000 Dodge Intrepid, it has a 2.7 DOHC V6 engine in it and the mileage is just over 58,000. The oil has been changed every 3,000 miles and the car has been taken care of. My mechanic told me that this should not have happened at this low a mileage. There is a lot of engine oil sludge buildup in the top of the engine. He said that Chrysler acknowledges that there is a problem with these engines but isn't doing anything about it. This is costing me over $1,000 to get fixed. Luckily I got it into his shop before the timing chain broke and completely screwed up my engine.
I have a 2001 Dodge Intrepid without any warning my car's engine stopped working causing my power steering and brakes to go. Luckly I was traveling at slow speed, and I was able to pull over without causing any accidents or injuries. Although I am ok my car is not. This is a new vehicle the engine should have not gone, but it did. I am paying for a new car that does not work and Chrysler does not accept any responsibility since the warranty has expired.
Dec 1, 2003 our 2001 Dodge Intrepid had engine failure with no warning while my wife was driving to work. After struggling to get the car under control and safely off the road, we had the car towed to a service center where they referred us to the dealer where we bought the car. The service center informed us the engine was blown and would need to be replaced by the dealer. When towed to the dealer, they wanted $500 to take apart the engine because as they said the car had no oil. After taking the engine apart the dealership informed us the car did have oil, but was blown due to sludge in the engine. The car only has 36,363 miles, has had the oil changed as the owners manual recommended. Unfortunately, we were told by the dealer the car was "out of warranty". they quoted $9900 to replace the engine. We were also informed by the dealer that this problem was not covered by warranty anyway because it was due to "owner maintenance and neglect, even though we provided the receipts for the oil changes. I was informed that had they provided the service, Dodge/Chrysler would honor their work and take responsibility, but since it was performed elsewhere I was on my own. I called another dealership across town and was informed this is a common problem with this particular vehicle and they see several a month. The second dealership quoted $5500 dollars. After getting this info from the second dealership, we did some research and found this to be a very common problem and there are hundreds of complaints about this particular vehicle's engine (the 2.7L engine). I even found a letter from Mitsubishi, who designed this engine for Chrysler, R stating the engine runs too hot for the oil Chrysler recommends to used. The letter states this will happen because of high engine heat and recommends using a synthetic oil instead of the 10W/30 Chrysler recommends in the owners manual.
I purchased my Dodge Intrepid January 2001, I had a little problem, I thought with the transmission slipping, but that problem stop immediately. I did worry about it then I noticed-- I was low on oil from time to time between oil changes. I had it checked when I changed my oil, but they couldn't tell where it was burning from. Then the worst happened Nov 25, 2003 the car start burning oil and smoking like crazy, still could not figure it out, now I do believe that my motor is gone. I can not afford to pay a car note and pay repair bills or replace a motor at the cost of $2000-6000 and still owe a $10,0000 balance on the car. I have made two complaints on other sites and hope that this will help all of us through this ordeal. I need transportation and as of right now I don't have the money to pay down on another car. I will have to find something in reason for the same cost of the repair.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Plainfield, IN, USA