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.
Heater stops putting out heat when on. Engine light on intermittently. Was told I needed to flush cooling system, and did so. Not very effective. Symptoms persist. Turns out due to a design defect, air is easily trapped inside cooling system, and flushing the system the "right way" helps out problem by May of this year. But the engine light keeps coming on intermittently, and the car is running rougher.
I bought this car a year ago from a family member with only 42000 miles. The engine had already been replaced so I thought the car was good to go. Well when I started driving the car I noticed the oil light blinking on/off had it checked but no oil leak. I was told the oil cap didn't fit tight enough. Wrong! Then the car was hesitating to pick up speed had it checked again it was O2 sensors. Well about 4 or 5 months after having the car I have had Coil Packs replaced, spark plugs, O2 sensors, air filter, input and output sensor for transmission, Map sensor, Crankshaft sensor, Torque converter sensor,Torque converter plate tightened from transmission knocking, Computer system, mass air flow sensor, wiring harness, transmission screen, some kind of belt that caused a small fire under hood and now told I need a transmission. On top of that the car is now running hot and the oil light is still on and check engine light. I was also told that the starter was bad. This is a piece of junk car and not worth the money. When I get the transmission fixed and the thermostat replace (which is located under the engine which has to be lifted and the alternator has to be taken off and then has to be pressurized). I am gonna sell this car just to get enough money for a down payment on something else sure won't be a DODGE. I should have traded it when I was offered $3000 by a dealer and gave him the headache and frustration.
- apostolic lady,
Simmesport, LA, US
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Heater stops putting out heat when on. Engine light on intermittently. Was told I needed to flush cooling system, and did so. Not very effective. Symptoms persist. Turns out due to a design defect, air is easily trapped inside cooling system, and flushing the system the "right way" helps out problem by May of this year. But the engine light keeps coming on intermittently, and the car is running rougher.
- ogolly, Boise, ID, US