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:
$4,500
Average Mileage:
89,750 miles
Total Complaints:
149 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. never buy a Chrysler again (63 reports)
  2. replaced with a used/rebuilt engine (30 reports)
  3. not sure (20 reports)
  4. bought a new car that's not a Dodge (13 reports)
  5. replace engine (9 reports)
  6. replace with a 3.2L or 3.5L engine (6 reports)
2001 Dodge Intrepid engine problems

engine problem

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2001 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments (Page 8 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #9

May 112005

(reported on)

Intrepid EX 2.7L V6

  • 66,000 miles

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

Can't believe you buy a car from chrysler and 6,000 miles over the warranty your screwed. If I knew about this problem I would have never bought the car. Will never buy another dodge/chrysler car again. God help anybody else out there with this car because it's going to happen to you eventually.

- Dave S., Carteret, NJ, US

problem #8

May 232005

(reported on)

Intrepid 2.7L V6

  • 83,000 miles

My husband and I purchased a 2001 Dodge Intrepid in July of 2001. I was used and still had the factory warrenty on it. About a year and a half later we started hearing noises in the engine. We took it to the Dodge dealership because of the warranty we had and had bought an 100,000 mile extended warranty. They told us, along with all the money it would cost just to take it apart and look at it, there was an oil sludge build up due to not taking care of it - not properly changing the oil. Which this is a load of bullshit because we had had maintenence done to it, we just didn't have all the reciepts. We ended up taking it to another mechanic which did a fix on it which was temporary. The temporary fix lasted for about a year, which is good from what I hear, and now it is worse then when we first started having problems with it. And only to find out just last week of all the problems the 2.7 liter engines have. I am also very disturbed to find out the Dodge blames it on the customer! Is that what customer service has come to? I don't think so. It is also disturbing to find out that Dodge and Chrysler have admitted to the problem and even modified the engine to where the are virtually no problems and still not honor their warranty. I'm sorry but if you have admitted that there is a problem with your product, then you need to fix it!!!

- allisun, Milton, FL, US

problem #7

Nov 292006

(reported on)

Intrepid ES 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Wow, I agree with everyone that there should be some type of class action lawsuit against Dodge. I mean from all across the nation anyone with this Model and year that has anything close to 75,000 to 110,000 miles on it has to change the engine, and these are people giving there cars the proper maintenance like myself. Well my problem started off as a problem with my coolant system so I had to replace that ($350.00) then when I went to get my oil change thats when they said I had sludge and just like everyone else I paid to get that removed put in treatment and top grade oil to protect the engine. But it didn't matter the knocking started and now I don't even drive the car and I'm still paying on it. The car sounds like if I start it the engine will fall out. I am going to look into some type of legal action because this is ridiculous I have a kids and it's winter....

- Marcus T., San Jose, CA, US

problem #6

Mar 062005

(reported on)

Intrepid ES 2.7L V6

  • 60,000 miles

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

My car started making an awful noise so I took it to a machanic and he said there was sludge in my engine and said it was my fault. He tried to fix the thing and blew up my motor and then he tried to fix it again and slung my timing chain through my motor. He is still saying it is my fault and if Dodge would just step up to the plate and take responsibility for their miss up I would not be going through all of this bull right now. I still owe $8,000+ on my car and I have not been able to drive it since August 2004. I've about had it with all these companies saying they are not responsible when they are.

- nlg4325, Carrollton, GA, US

problem #5

Nov 092004

(reported on)

Intrepid 2.7L V6

  • 64,000 miles

I never want to see another Dodge in my life! I have 64,000 miles on this car and still owe for 3 more years! The engine went last friday on nov 5. It was my birthday, whata present. Now I come to find out that over 600 people are having the same problem. I wanted to let people know that a local firm is trying to start a lawsuit against Dodge they already have over 400 people. Praise the lord! So I wanted everyone to know that if you want to get in on it drop me a email (use the contact link below) and I'll give you his number and email.

- blackrose322, Cleveland, OH, US

problem #4

Sep 212004

(reported on)

Intrepid 2.7L V6

  • 65,000 miles

While driving our beautiful Intrepid home, the car's engine light went on and the engine immediately breathed it's last. Had it towed in, examined by a trustworthy mechanic... the stupid thing only had 65,000 miles on it. It will cost around $6,000 to fix it and I still owe nearly 2 years on my car loan. I'm putting in a Japanese engine that comes with a decent warranty. I wouldn't put another Dodge piece of garbage in it to save my life. I've called Dodge on at least three occasions. The first call was met with a polite, "Sorry we can't help you". The second call was more like, "gee, you should have taken better care of the car". The third call put me through to a real jerk who told me he wouldn't dream of contacting a car company about a problem that happened after the car was past the warranty date. We still have yet to fix it. Until Dodge makes good, we won't be buying a thing from them. We've got a large family, lots of drivers, and not one of them will ever buy a Dodge or any other Chrysler product again.

- pkaren, Milford, MI, US

problem #3

Jun 022004

(reported on)

Intrepid ES 2.7L V6

  • 82,000 miles

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

After repairing timing chains at a cost of $2,700., all sludge was removed. One week later (almost 1,000 miles) engine quit working, We still owe $10,000 on the car and cannot receive help from anyone.

- Alex V., West Chicago, IL, US

problem #2

Jun 022004

(reported on)

Intrepid ES 2.7L V6

  • 81,000 miles

After 1 year of having this car the timing chains went out. One day after warranty expired! One week after repairing timing chains engine QUIT running. Car cannot be properly fixed, without having to change engine.

- Alex V., West Chicago, IL, US

problem #1

Jun 042003

(reported on)

Intrepid 2.7L V6

  • 36,607 miles

Engine on my son's 2001 Intrepid froze up. This is a common problem with 2.7L engines, Daimler-Chrysler is denying all knowledge of this while it's almost impossible to get rebuilt engines since they are in short supply. Price in one year has gone from 1,500 to 4,500 dollars. There is a fault in oil recovery where oil never reaches engine parts causing built up of "sludge" Chrysler will not warranty any sludge engines.

- Ken W., N. Lauderdale, FL, US

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