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 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,927 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.

2002 Dodge Intrepid engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #82

Jan 172012

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 186,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated that while having repairs on the vehicle, she was advised by the technicians that the valve gasket was covered in oil sludge. The mechanic advised that the valve gasket cover needed to be cleaned and the oil needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 186,000. Updated 02/0812 updated 03/16/12

- St Johns, FL, USA

problem #81

Jul 252011

Intrepid

  • 104,260 miles
Noticed antifreeze leaking from under center area of car, attempted to pit in antifreeze, leaked out right away. I checked the oil and it was full of antifreeze. The motor is shot. There was no warning no service lights the car has not been over heated, it was very well maintained by a local dealer.

- Onamia, MN, USA

problem #80

Jul 062011

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
2002 Dodge Intrepid 2.7 engine car sudenly overheated. Anti freeze went out on ground and into oil. Repalced water pump, tensioner, timimg chain, several sensors, gaskets and more.always maintained oil changes at 300K and oil filters. Bad engine- parts saved.

- Arbor Vitae, WI, USA

problem #79

Mar 012009

Intrepid

  • 145,000 miles

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

We bought a 2002 used in 2005. It ran okay, thoughe H the oil pressure light and engine light would come on when idling. We were assured by the dealer we bought it from that it was just sensor and not to worry. Had some small problems with it, nothing too major. They just seemed to happen all the time. Then in 3/09 the alternator and water pump went out for the 2nd time, and even after repair the car would over heat out of no where and without warning. Continued to have the problems with the oil pressure light and engine light. Should have gotten rid of it then, but didn't have the money for a new car. Then in 11/09 the car did the overheat for no reason while my husband was going 70 mph on the highway, thank god there wasn't an accident. The gauges didn't indicate anything, all of them including the spedometer went to 0. it started gushing water and antifreeze. The engine is shot, it is now a gold lawn ornament. We maintained the car, oil changes every 3000mi etc. Was told its due to "sludge" in the engine and that its a common problem with Dodge 2.7 engines. Wish I would've known this before I bought the car, and I wish someone would do something about the ton yard ornament I now have.

- Clinton, IA, USA

problem #78

Sep 042010

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • 139,852 miles
Bought a Dodge Intrepid the engine has been replaced twice it's an 2.7 V.6.... the car stalls, the light flickers on an off as well as my radio!! my sensor are faulty because it give my car faulty reading to the wrong errs not only, that I have had build up in both engines grime and broken down particles! my speed is off sometime my car picks up speed by it self or it don't gain speed at all! the car also loses power for no reason at all! drain my battery four times! over heat without warning! had my thermostat replace twice!!! to many problem keep occurring and I can keep up with any of this!! Texas dmv told me about this site told me about that these cars are not any good!! please help what do I do with this car?

- Artlington , UT, USA

problem #77

Aug 092009

Intrepid

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. While the contact was driving approximately 45 mph, the engine completely stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The technician stated there was metal in the oil. The vehicle was inoperable and had not been repaired for the malfunction. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Keystone Heights, FL, USA

problem #76

Feb 142008

Intrepid

  • 65,000 miles

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

I drove a 2002 2.7 Dodge Intrepid. One day I was driving down I-5, (the main highway) and my car started to over heat right away to the red and was blowing cold air. I was by myself and pulled over as far as I could. I pulled over as far as I could but my car was still in the lane. I waited a little while until my car cooled down, about 1 hour. I tried to drive it to the gas station to use a phone to call my dad. I finally got a hold of someone to come tow me home. The next day my dad had fixed the thermostat thinking this would help. Um..... no! my car started to blow cold air again. I was driving then all of a sudden my car just stopped on the freeway. I was not even able to pull over at all!!! my car just started to slow down and I couldn't even turn my wheel. I had to call the police department and let them know that I was in the freeway and was scared to cause an accident. They came and blocked the road and pushed me to the side of the freeway. This is the worst experience that has ever happened to me in my life!!!!! my dad looked at the car and checked the oil and all he could see was sludge everywhere. I am still making payments on my car and I still have it in my yard. This is a waste of money and do not feel that this is something I should be paying for. Its just been sitting there and after reading all these complaints I cannot believe that Dodge is still selling these cars and putting peoples lives in danger daily! I looked online for ways to stop people from buying these cars and found this site. I really hope something happens with these cars. Atleast stop selling them!!! if anyone has any advise as to what to do or how to fix my car without spending more than my car costs please help me! thank you

- Buckley , WA, USA

problem #75

Apr 012010

Intrepid

  • miles
Due to engine sludge in my 2002 Dodge Intrepid the engine has locked up and needs to be replaced. Many other complaints and issues with this engine. Very unfair to the consumer not to correct the defects of this engine.

- Terre Haute, IN, USA

problem #74

Feb 012009

Intrepid

  • 78,240 miles
My 2002 Dodge Intrepid stopped running while I was headed uphill in traffic I managed to make it to the side of the road my mechanic towed it and ran a diagnostic check on it which cam back cam sensor and crankshaft sensor... replaced both.. car still wont start.. was told that I possibly flooded the spark plugs while trying to restart it... replaced spark plugs... car still wont start after further investigation was told that the 2.7 engine is defective and needs to be replaced which if I can find a decent used engine will be atleast $3500 but I cannot find a used Dodge Intrepid engine because they are all bad! I still owe more than $2000 on the car and cannot afford a new engine.. I am behind on payments because I have no transportation to work... or to the grocery store.. or the doctor or to my 3 kids school for that matter.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #73

Nov 072009

Intrepid

  • 11,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. While exiting a highway at 65 mph, the vehicle stalled. He was able to safely shift the vehicle into neutral and coast to the side of the road. After one day of being parked, he noticed oil leakage under the vehicle. The vehicle has not been inspected or repaired by a technician. The current and failure mileages were 110,000.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #72

Aug 062009

Intrepid

  • 101,000 miles

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

Stopped at a stop sign, engine failed with no warning.

- Sinking Spring, PA, USA

problem #71

Jul 292009

Intrepid

  • 90,000 miles
I have a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. It has 90,000 miles on it. I have taken good care to change the oil on a regular basis. Due to oil sludge the engine failed while I was driving. It now needs a new engine at a cost of $4,000. I still owe $3,000 on the car. It is not worth it to fix it. This car is known for engine failure at 80-90K miles. I almost got in an accident.

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

problem #70

Jun 152009

Intrepid

  • 95,000 miles
Engine & oil light repeatedly came on. Idled low and would cut off. I was in the middle of traffic and car just cut off when I attempted to slow. Car behind me almost hit me and man had road rage. Luckily the car restarted and got me into my apt complex where it cut off for the last time. I had completed oil changes as recommended and was told there was no problem. This is a common problem as stated per guy that attempted to look at the car. Now I need a motor on a car that is barely worth the value of the car. There may not have been an accident or death, but this is too common a problem for Dodge to ignore.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #69

Jul 112009

Intrepid

  • 65,000 miles
The Intrepid has had to serviced about every 3 months. First it was the engine light came on due to the 02 sensor going out. Then it was the fan that belt broke on the car. Then it was the tires the would wear the tread really easily. Then it was the passenger door handle it broke on the inside. The it was the transmission that started skipping gears then it would make the RPM's go up. Now the whole transmission has gone out. We have only had this car for two years and we have taken good care of it.

- Maysville, AR, USA

problem #68

Jul 022009

Intrepid

  • 86,523 miles
Bought the car in 2007 and 3 weeks after having the car the transmission went out had to get it replace $400 with a extended warranty, a year later radiator went out had to pay $768, just problem after problem with this engine 2.7 liter 2002 Dodge Intrepid, now theirs another leak of the antifreeze.

- Visalia, CA, USA

problem #67

Apr 012009

Intrepid

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 10 mph, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle shook and downshifted into third gear. The mechanic could not remedy the issue. The contact feels that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. The current and failure mileages were 74,000.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #66

May 012009

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 20 mph, the engine hesitated and lost power completely. The contact pushed the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle would not restart. He waited two hours before the vehicle managed to restart and then drove it to a mechanic. The contact was informed that the oil reservoir was full of coolant and antifreeze, which was common for his type of vehicle. He took the vehicle to another shop and was informed of the same thing, including that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that they were not responsible for the defect. The contact feels that a recall should be issued. The current and failure mileages were 84,000. Updated 6/01/09 updated 06/02/09.

- Apollo, PA, USA

problem #65

Mar 132008

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. The contact noticed that the engine warning indicator would consistently illuminate on the instrument panel. In addition, he observed smoke underneath the hood of the vehicle. He took the vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions and they replaced the water pump, vacuum lines, and hoses. None of the repairs have corrected the failure. The manufacturer did not assist. The failure mileage was 67,000 and current mileage was 77,000. Updated 4/23/09 the consumer stated the vehicle would start to smoke and at times it would stall. The tie rods were replace. Updated 04/27/09.

- Copperas Cove, TX, USA

problem #64

Nov 272008

Intrepid

  • 42,000 miles
I own a 2002 Dodge Intrepid with a 2.7L engine. The car only has 45,850 original miles.at times it will make a knocking noise that will eventually go away. I was told that the 2.7L has a problem with sludge buildup causing vital internal engine parts not to become lubricated. I have my oil changed every 1500 to 3000 miles and have only driven it 23,000 miles since buying it in 2006 I have taken it to several repair shops, but most mechanics refuse to work on it because of the so called sludge problem and the high cost of the repairs. Some suggested using full synthetic oil to combat the problem. Others have stated that the only solution is to replace the engine completely. I have also questioned Chrysler as to any recalls for the 2.7L Intrepid but no answer. I have also noticed that there are several complaints about this problem across North America. If Chrysler knew this was a problem with these engines, they should have informed us the consumers and taken actions to correct it. I think they decided to keep their mouth shut and flood our country with a worthless product. Chrysler needs to own up to this defect. I have been a loyal customer of Dodge for many years but is fading fast when it comes to american made vehicles.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

problem #63

Nov 212008

Intrepid

  • 112,000 miles
I own a 2002 Dodge Intrepid always did regular oil changes. Oil light came on, started hearing a knocking sound from the engine. The dealer says I have to replace the engine, otherwise it may seize while driving, causing a serious condition.

- Pine Brook, NJ, USA

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