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.

2001 Dodge Intrepid engine problems

engine problem

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2001 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments (Page 4 of 16)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #241

Dec 112006

Intrepid 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

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

1) I bought a 2001 Dodge Intrepid...what other events do you need? I later found out that the 2.7L engine is notorious for engine failure. I had changed the oil every 3M miles and noticed that the engine would make a ticking noise if the oil was low. I wouldn't wait 3M miles because I was changing the oil every time it started to tick. Never once did my oil light come on. 2) the engine was making a ticking noise and I drove it to work. I drove back from work and was driving 20 - 30 mph home and the oil light and the check engine light went on and the car died. I had to have the car towed and was told that the engine had seized and was -4 quarts low of oil even though there was no leak and no spots in my parking area to tell me that I was losing oil. Since the failure, I have it in storage at a friend's parking spot and am still making payments on a car that I can no longer drive.I have two years of payments to go until I can finally "officially" junk it. The consequences are that I am paying 6,000 dollars on a car that doesn't work. 3) I was told that it would cost $4,000 to get another engine and have not done so and went out and bought a used Honda for that amount with more miles that will run longer. All parts are in tact on the vehicle just as I purchased it.

- Riverside, IL, USA

problem #240

Mar 292007

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,176 miles
I have a 2001 Dodge Intrepid with less than 70,000 miles on it. I just found out it has an oil leak along with other problems. The mechanic said he didn't recommend that I put too much money into it because of the poorly designed engine. As per my mechanic, Chrysler knows of this problem. I have also done the research online and seen hundreds, if not, thousands of complaints. It is ridiculous in a time where most cars run for several hundred thousand miles that a company gets away with a deliberately poorly designed engine that basically starves itself internally of oil, my mechanics words. I think Chrysler should be held accountable for their deliberate actions that are harming thousands of hard-working people.

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #239

May 172006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. The contact detected an unfamiliar noise in the engine compartment of the vehicle while driving. A local mechanic discovered a piece of metal in one of the sensors. The contact took the vehicle to another mechanic, who was unable to detect any failure. While on a road trip the vehicle failed again. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic, who diagnosed the failure as the engine rod. The engine was replaced in May 2006 with a model three years newer and with 35,000 miles. The vehicle has currently begun to repeat the unfamiliar noise. A mechanic diagnosed the noise as possible engine failure again. The failure mileage was 76,000.

- Swoyersville, PA, USA

problem #238

Mar 122007

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

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

- the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. While driving the vehicle lost power when stopping at a light. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The failure mileage was 85,000. The contact stated that for approximately 3-6 months prior the vehicle felt as though the transmission was slipping. There were no warning indicators. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle as needing a new engine. Updated 04/12/07.

- West Newton, PA, USA

problem #237

Feb 092007

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles
I just recently bought a 2001 Dodge Intrepid with 80,000 miles. I was driving the car on my way from the dentist without any warning the vehicle's engine went out while driving down the street. There was small rattling knocking noise and then the engine just went out. I had no prior signs of the engine going it just went, causing my life and my children's life to be in full danger.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #236

Feb 012007

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I bought a used 2001 Dodge Intrepid 2.7L with 61,000 miles. I gave it regular oil changes. While driving on 114 highway my engine seized causing my power steering to fail and cause great difficulty for me to pull to the side of the road. My engine is junk and my warranty will not cover this, Chrysler will also not take fault, even though I took all the necessary precautions for my car. I am afraid that someone else in my situation may not have been able to get to the side of the road like I was, and may resort in a fatal accident. I have read online and this is happening to many many people with Dodge engines years 1997-2003.

- Weare, NH, USA

problem #235

Jan 272007

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,800 miles

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

Engine started making ticking sound. Got louder as I got closer to home (approx. 1 mile). Very noisy once I got home. Shut off engine. Had vehicle towed to Dodge dealer. Dealer mechanic diagnosed timing belt jumped the gears and valves and valve stems were shot.

- Fredonia, NY, USA

problem #234

Oct 182006

Intrepid 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles
- the contact was on the daimler-Chrysler's website. The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. The vehicle lost engine power while driving at 60 mph. The consumer was unable to restart the vehicle, it was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. There may have been warning indicator lights. All state insurance company mechanics determined the vehicle's failure and agreed that the remedy would be to replace the engine. Updated 03/15/07.

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

problem #233

Jan 242007

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
Complete engine failure at only 80K miles due to oil sludge. Well maintained, oil changes regularly; oil light came on while on highway, got off less than 1/2 mile away and went 1/8 mile to an auto service place. Had engine flushed, oil changed, and 30 miles later, on highway, engine seized. Now have to pay $6K for a new engine.

- Parker, CO, USA

problem #232

Dec 182006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,408 miles
- the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. The contact was approaching a stop sign when the vehicle began to over heat and stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The mechanic stated that the timing belt and the water pump were not functioning properly. The mechanic advised the contact to replace the engine. This is the only incident that occurred. The contact didn't authorize the dealer repair the vehicle. She is unable to drive the vehicle. Updated 2/27/2007 - the water pump failed and was leaking. The oil pressure switch was bad and the engine had sludge build up.

- Rockford , IL, USA

problem #231

May 162006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,919 miles

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

I had just gotten my 2001 Dodge Intrepid our of the dealers repair bay where they replaced 6 parts on the car that were working before discovering that the timing belt had broken. We tested all of the parts later and they worked. This cost 1,400 dollars. 2 weeks later I was in my car on I-75 in atlanta, Georgia when I suffered catastrophic engine failure at 75 miles per hour. The engine seized and I lost all power steering and had to force the car off of the highway across 3 lanes of traffic to the shoulder. After paying a 200 dollar towing bill I found out the accumulation of oil sludge in the top of the engine had caused the failure. The car has now been on a trailer in murray county Georgia for 8 months and I don't have the money to replace the engine. After contacting Dodge they said that they would not help with the repairs. They blamed it on me saying I didn't change the oil enough this cannot be true because we have religiously changed the oil every 3000 miles. I have done research on the topic and have found many other people with the same failures. Dodge should be forced into repairing these problems. So here I sit this problem has almost killed my business because I cant afford a new car that is nice enough to take clients around in so I have to drive a piece of junk. You would think that these companies would care about their customers but once again daimler/Chrysler proves that they don't give a darn about the people who make them profitable. Unless this is resolved I will never have anything to do with a Dodge, Chrysler, or Mercedes ever again and I swear I will tell every person I come in contact what these people are doing to their customers I may even start a negative ad campaign against Dodge. I will take this to the ends of the earth before I let anyone I know run the risk of losing their lives due the incompetency of these money hungry sharks.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #230

Sep 012006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles
- while driving the vehicle started losing power and started smoking. The contact pulled to the side of the road, and had the vehicle towed to a local repair facility. At the repair facility they stated that the vehicle needed to have the engine replaced. The contact took it to the dealership, ) and they stated as well that the engine needed to be replaced in the vehicle. The contact concerned because after researching the issue, she has seen many similar complaints.

- Northfield, MN, USA

problem #229

Dec 292006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,200 miles
Purchased a 2001 Dodge Intrepid SE in Oct. 2006 from used car dealer. On Dec. 29,2006 car began to make gurgling noise coming from the engine. Has 119,200 miles on car. Took car to mechanic and he said he had just finish engine repairs on a 1998 and 2000 Dodge Intrepid with the same problem. Need to change oil pump, oil pan, lifters and gaskets. Looking at $500 to $1000 for repairs plus $60 to put it on the diagnostic machine. Only paid $2500 for car. This is my only means of transportation to work and school. If I had known that this car was so jacked up I would not have bought it. There should be someone filing a class action lawsuit against the car manufacturer. Sign me up!!!

- Gary, IN, USA

problem #228

Dec 122006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,641 miles
- while driving a 2001 Dodge Intrepid at 45 miles per hour, the engine started to make a knocking sound. The car did not stall. The odometer read 100,000 miles at the time of the incident. The oil in the vehicle has been changed after the incident. The contact found information about similar incidents at : www.datatown.Chrysler.com. the website stated that if the vehicle fails the owner isn't performing proper maintenance on the vehicle.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #227

Nov 142006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles
While turning into my subdivision my 2001 Dodge Intrepid, 2.7L, V-6, 83,000 miles, died and I lost all power for steering and braking. I had the vehicle towed to an independent shop to determine the problem. The initial problem was thought to be a cracked plentium, but after replacement ($1,000), the car did not start and the mechanic determined the engine needed to be replaced. I then had the car towed to an engine specialty shop for further analysis. This shop informed me that the engine was water and/or oil locked and that indeed the engine needed to be replaced. They researched the engine and found that there are a number of places that wouldn't even sale the 2.7L, V-6 due the great number of engine failures that have occurred. Additionally, jasper engines (a leading manufacture and distributor of engines) stated that these engines have a very high failure rate and suggested upgrading to the 3.2L ($4,500 engine + $1,000 for the upgrade parts and pieces needed because it's a different engine = $5,500). They even suggested I go on this site to see how many more people had the same problem. Based on what I read this is an issue that Chrysler should own up to and make the appropriate fixes. I for one have owned a number of Dodge and all have had some type of problem associated with them, specifically, transmission problems. Has anyone had any luck with Chrysler giving them relief or a dealer stepping up?

- Merritt Island, FL, USA

problem #226

Oct 262006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles
: the contact stated upon merging into traffic at 40 mph on the freeway, there was a loud bang followed by flames erupting from underneath the hood. The contact maneuvered the vehicle to the side of the road. A bystander alerted the fire department who extinguished the flames. There were no injuries sustained. There was moderate fire damage to the engine compartment area. The police were not alerted. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop, who was unable to determine the cause of fire. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, who determined the fire originated from the engine and engine oil. The manufacturer was alerted.

- Daly City, CA, USA

problem #225

Apr 042006

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
Our 2001 Dodge Intrepid engine died which only has 78,000 miles. Two mechanics told us it would be better to junk it. It would cost between 4000- 5000 to replace the engine. The car is paid off already so we have a paid off car sitting in our driveway unable to drive. We called Dodge and all they said was that they would give us the full value of the car if we purchased another Dodge. We don't want another Dodge or car payment. We just want our car to work.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #224

Mar 132006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
I also had a 2001 Dodge Intrepid that the engine failed at 70K miles. I was picking up my daughter and turned off my car and that was the end. I had my vehicle towed to a service center only to find out that the motor was blown. At the time (3/06) I owed nearly 6K on the car and it was off the road. I had no recourse but to have a "used" engine that cost me $3700 put in my car only to have it stolen on 11/12/06 from a bowing alley in Connecticut. Now I am out $3700 for the motor but also 5K balance on my loan and now no car. I have also sent my complaints to lawyers and settlements and have yet to hear anything from anybody. Oh did I mention I don't have theft insurance yep no theft now what?

- Windsor, CT, USA

problem #223

Oct 272006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,718 miles
Engine failure without warning!

- Urbana, OH, USA

problem #222

Nov 022006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning signals prior to the incident. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the engine was blown and would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not informed.

- Oxford, CT, USA

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