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.
4.8
definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,614 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.
Heater blowing cold air. Took it for an oil change on the 17th of January; heard a knocking noise that day, the next morning it didn't start. Had it towed to a mechanic. He refused to touch it, stating the timing chain was broke and the engine was junk. Had it towed to Dodge city of countryside (where I bought the car) on 1/21/05 where it has been since. They say I have not maintained the vehicle, the engine blew due to excessive oil sludge, but that there was no problem with the timing chain. The service manager was rude and ignorant. I have the 6 year, 75,000 extended warranty thru daimler Chrysler. This car has only 43,000 miles on it and I refuse to pay for the new engine out of my own pocket. So, now I am being charged a storage fee and I have to pay for a rental which is costing me alot of money.
Have had my car in several times for the check engine light coming on. The first visit they dismissed it and said it was probably the gas was probably loose and reset the sensor. 2nd time they said the sensor was bad so they replaced that. Now today it came on again w/ a definate leak somewhere because of a smell of gas. I will find out tomorrow what they "think" it is this time.
- Grand Forks Afb, ND, USA
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- Calumet Park, IL, USA