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.

9.6

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,240
Average Mileage:
100,850 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace engine (6 reports)
  2. not sure (3 reports)
  3. rebuild engine (1 reports)
2001 Dodge Intrepid engine problems

engine problem

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2001 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments

problem #10

Feb 122014

Intrepid SE 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 142,000 miles

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

The engine on this car is junk. Leaked/burned oil and eventually burnt itself out.

- gwi, River Falls, WI, US

problem #9

Feb 142014

Intrepid ES 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,787 miles

The water pump went out and I replaced with new. Then the timing skip was the next thing caused by sludge in motor. It has caused a great problem having to be off work fixing it and my wife is being a bitch too, sooo......

- justmeok7, orcutt, CA, US

problem #8

Dec 192013

Intrepid SE 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 134,000 miles

I have had my 01 Intrepid going on 11 years now and I must say it has been a good car for the most part. With that being said; the last 2 years I started having problems with it. First thing that happened was the water pump "exploding" while on the highway and scaring the crap out of me do to not knowing what the hell just happened. After 2 weeks of being in the shop and $1,100 later I had my car back good as new or so I thought. This time I noticed my car started getting hot while driving to and from work (3 miles from home) and thought it was time for a new therm. I took it to my local mechanic who later told me that wasn't the problem; the problem was that I either have a blown head or blown head gasket. I asked him if the repairs would even be worth doing considering the 2.7L is a P.O.S? His response was "If I were you and that was my car, I'd replace the engine". Now I'm looking at spending $2,500 for a reman engine plus paying someone to install it. Now I'm out of transportation and no way of getting the money to get it fixed. I had heard of a class action suit against the company who built this engine and I would like to know if they are going to help everyone like me who had nothing but problems with there 2.7L? I think they should pay for all the repairs and or replace the engine with one that's more reliable; but that's just me thinking.

Let me know what you think or how I can get them to fix my car or something.

Thanks,

Chris C.

- Chris C., Warrenton, MO, US

problem #7

Nov 232012

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

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

If you own this car, get rid of it ASAP. It will turn on you just when you need it most. I promise.

Dodge got away with making a car with a fisher price engine for (4) years. The gov did nothing to help.

I will never buy another Dodge again. So so sad and you will be too if you keep that trash.

- nealneal, Brooklyn Center, MN, US

problem #6

Oct 142011

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

Had this car 7 years and started seeing the growing number of reports about engine problems. It was a just a matter of time when this finally happened to us a couple week ago when the engine just stopped on the freeway with family in the car. Good thing we were by an off ramp and the car rolled safetly out of traffic. We just had the oil changed a couple weeks before but I guess that was just too much for the engine to handle. We are going to try and get the engine rebuilt for about $2400 (will have a 2 year warranty) since the rest of the car is is good condition. The shop will correct the problem with the engine so that sludge will not build up. I taking a chance that this car will last at least a couple years more.

- azdriver, Scottsdale, AZ, US

problem #5

May 232011

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

I have had one problem right after the other with this car....I purchased this vehicle in Sept. 2010 from a used car dealer. I had it checked by my mechanic prior to purchase and my mechanic told me that alot of the Dodge Intrepid 2001 2.7 engines were junk...I was taking a chance. Unfortunately the pretty shiny silver car had my attention and I took that chance. I should have known...luck has never been on my side, matter of fact seems like luck is always pointing at me and laughing. In May the engine light came on and the car kept stalling. I took it to a mechanic who changed the cam sensor. I paid out of pocket for that. One day after the repair, the car shut off for good. The mechanic said that the head gaskets blew but the engine was not cracked. Well so what...It was either replace the gaskets or find a used engine. Well, I found a used engine and paid $2000.00 for the engine and to have it installed. I just got my car back three days ago and today it stalled out on me....I HATE THIS CAR AND AM READY TO TAKE A MATCH TO IT!!

- rrobson, Williamsport, PA, US

problem #4

Feb 102010

Intrepid SE 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

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

i bought this garbage piece of car in february of 2010 from a private person i drove this car for about 2 weeks total before all these problems start happening.. i was driving my car home and all of a sudden i hear a loud noise and the car cut off i got it out the middle of the street pulled the hood and saw that the timing chain had broke i had my car towed home and had it looked at the next day and was told that be prepared to come off a lot of money . when the chain broke it damaged everything here is the repairs i have done to this car...... i had my valves and heads repaired $500.00 i had the water pump changed i had my oil pump changed i changed the head gaskets valve stem seals all the timing chain guides the timing chain all my sensors changed my alternator plus belts changed i basicly changed everything under the hood .. total cost roughly $4000.00 for parts ang labor BUT WAIT IM NOT DONE the car stopped running once again my battery light came on so i took it and had it checked and come to find out the alternator i had replaced wasnt getting any power so i took it back to the repair shop the guy tested it and found another problem which turned out to be the computer was shot like a fool i had it replaced now my check engine light wont go off and its reading my sensors are bad which there not cause i had all of them replaced now my grand total is well over $6500.00 plus the car wont pass the emissions due to the engine light being on .. well i want to thank everyone who has took the time and read this dodge should have a damn recall on these dodge intrepids with this bull---- 2.7 engine and im not going to stop until i get some type of resolvement from dodge i either want back all the money i have spent on fixing this car or replace my car NOT WITH ANOTHER DODGE . thank you all ....

- Wendy W., Schiller Park, IL, US

problem #3

Dec 012010

Intrepid 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,441 miles

Was driving vehicle for work appointments when vehicle just stopped. Had towed to shop when found out that the engine was seized. Had to have engine rebuild to solve problem.

- debbieflorida, Daytona Beach, FL, US

problem #2

Sep 022010

Intrepid SE 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,012 miles

In February, 2010 I purchased a 2001 Dodge Intrepid from Rick Case Mitsubishi in Bedford, Ohio. This car drove very well when I test drove it and continue to drive well until I had the oil changed in July after only driving the car 4,820 miles. During time, I had the oil changed twice, once on May 2010 and the other time was July 14, 2010. When I purchased the car, Rick Case Mitsubishi offered a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty on the car.

In September, the vehicle abruptly stopped while in route to the mall. I had the vehicle towed to my family mechanic where he advised the engine has blown. I then took it to Rick Case to have it repaired as I thought it would be covered under the warranty. Much to my surprise, Rick Case indicated this was not covered under the warranty which was given to me.

According to the Limited Powertrain Warranty, I was under the assumption this would be covered. Unbeknownst to me, I was advised after Rick Case’s mechanic had disassembled part of the engine in order to provide a preliminary report to the insurance company that I would be charged the minimum of $400. The preliminary findings were that the engine had low compression and needed to be replaced. Rick Case’s mechanic (Nick) contacted the insurance company with the findings. The insurance company told Rick Case in order for them to cover the engine, Rick Case would have to break down the engine further. This would cost me an additional $300 to $400, though the warranty states there is a $200 charge.

Following the initial finding, we were advised by Nick that Limited Warranty Administration has knowledge that the Dodge Intrepid is known for having this problem. With the mechanic breaking down the engine further, they would find “sludge” which would not be covered under this warranty. With that said, I would end up paying at least $600 to find out what the problem was with the warranty company paying nothing

At this time, I am scheduled to continue paying for this car for another fourteen months. Following the issues that I have experience, I have found the Dodge 2.7 liter engine has had a considerable amount of problems. There are several websites outlining these issues and five states are pursuing a class-action lawsuit against Chrysler and Dodge because of the failure rate of the engines. I don’t have the resources to pay for a replacement engine that has a history of being unreliable and prone to breakdown.

- ywms, Garfield Heights, OH, US

problem #1

Feb 022008

Intrepid L 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

Bought this car and put a new engine in it. Jasper supplied the engine. Since I've had it it's been overheating. I feel bad because I've always thought that mechanic were just taking advantage of a stupid girl. The truth is this...Engine blew on it again and cost me another $1500 in labor. The engine was still under warranty. They will not extend the warranty now. What is disgusting to me is that there is a class action suit against Chrysler for this, but when I took it in for it's new engine...neither Chrysler nor Jasper will mention this, because they are making tons of money off of the vehicles repairs and replacement. It's not the mechanics fault, it's the make of the engine but still many are reaping the rewards of it's failure. I would NEVER buy a dodge again but worse is I DO have a conscious and will never sell this car to my worse enemy. Sometimes I think self responsibility is a thing of the past!

- vigneault, Bastrop, TX, US

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