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.
O2 Sensors - there are 4 o2 sensors on the 3.5 v6. check them with a dvom with the ignition on. it wouldnt hurt to clean them anyway (carefuully). i have found that autozone has the cheapest sensors.
OK. I've been reading all this stuff about 2002 Intrepids and the 2.7L engine and I'm on the verge of freaking out! I just bought this car on 8/1/10. The engine light came on a week later. On previous cars, I haven't worried too much about it. I would take it into the mechanic whenever I had money/time to do it. From reading on here, it looks like I don't have that luxury anymore! Is it the sludge problem causing it? Do I take it to a mechanic and have them remove the sludge? Is that possible? My trustworthy mechanic died last year, so I am kind of in a bind. Do I take it to the dealer (Ford) I bought it from? Do I take it to the Dodge dealer and see if they will do anything? I have a road trip to take for work next week and don't really want to get stranded. This is my only vehicle. Any goood ideas out there???
bought 02 dodge intrepid cheap from private party.runs good on short trips but, drive 10-15 miles eng.oil light flickers. not fixing it because of high miles[90000] will never buy dodge prod . again from rdg. all complaints on the 2.7 engine. was a faithful buyer of dodge,jeep, chrysler vehicles -not any more. switching to Toyota or Honda.hope a million more people have the same feeling . cant even take a Sunday drive cuz i know what will happen [friken oil light will come on]
We had reported the engine light issue but nothing was really resolved until the water pump went out. Have had problems with it since then, but can't get an answer to it; now car is parked with unknown major problems. Stopping again, no power.
the engine light comes on and goes off when it wants to! if your driving and it comes on the car shuts off ! that is the last thing you want to happen on the highway! i bought this car becuase i was getting married and starting a family i thought this would be a "ruggedly dependable" car and it was worth it but this car has been nothing but problems since i bought it! if it decides to run it won't go above 2500 rpm. the windows quit working shortly there after so did the cruise control. and now it's leaking antifreeze!!! i wish i could get 5 min alone with the idiot that let this pile go into production! i still owe money on it and that is the only reason it's getting fixed! if i had my way i would take it back to dodge and set it on FIRE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i'll ride a bike to work before buying another dodge!
The timing belt tensioner was defective and caused rattling / knocking, loss of about 10 MPG, sputtering, and transmission would get up 3.5-4k before shifting. The tensioner was a reasonably priced repair but now the engine is leaking oil and jumping / hesitating when I accelerate. More to come on this newest of disasters associated with the 02 intrepid. It's a POS. Never buy one of them.
- John H.,
Crestview, FL, US
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Engine light began coming on intermittently. Manual was of little help. Changed oil fairly regularly at Jiffy or comparable station * BIG MISTAKE * These outfits use inferior oil, and I find out later significantly add to the problem in this vehicle. Car also gave out meager heat during winter months. Consulted online forum (wish I'd found this site) and figured out that the problem was likely that the system (either oil or cooling or both) needed flushing. Did so. Engine light goes out, but comes on later. I find out months later that Dodge was VERY WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, and that manual is basically a piece of propaganda.
ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN ENGINE IS WARMED UP. I HAD IT IN TO A MECH WHO PUT A METER ON IT TO SEE IF IT HAD OIL PRESSURE WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON. IT DOES NOT. SO WHEN I STOP AT A SIGNAL LIGHT, I PUT ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ON ON ACCEL TO RAISE THE RPM AND THE LIGHT GOES OUT.
HE CHANGED THE OIL TO SYNTHETIC. STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
I AM A WIDOW AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE ANY DISTANCE. I LIVE ON SOCIAL SECURITY ONLY AND REALLY CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT AND I DON'T TRUST IT AT ALL. DRIVING ALONE YOU KNOW.
DO YOU THINK ANYONE WILL WANT TO BUY IT? IF SO HOW MUCH? IT REALLY LOOKS GOOD. WELL EXCEPT SOMEONE BACKED INTO ME IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT. DENT DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT $500. I KNOW THEY LEFT ME THEIR INFORMATION, BUT I COULD'NT FIND IT ANYWHERE. I WOULD DEDUCT THIS FROM A FAIR PRICE.
I THINK THIS IS DUMB QUESTION, DON'T YOU?
AFTER READING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS IT SEEMS I AM ENTITLED TO ASK DUMB QUESTIONS AFTER MAKING SUCH A DUMB CHOICE WITH THE LAST OF MY RETIREMENT MONEY.
IS THERE A CLASS ACTION SUITE AGAINST DODGE/CHRYSLER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA HOW TO GO ABOUT THIS BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IT NEEDS TO BE DONE. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
OK. I've been reading all this stuff about 2002 Intrepids and the 2.7L engine and I'm on the verge of freaking out! I just bought this car on 8/1/10. The engine light came on a week later. On previous cars, I haven't worried too much about it. I would take it into the mechanic whenever I had money/time to do it. From reading on here, it looks like I don't have that luxury anymore! Is it the sludge problem causing it? Do I take it to a mechanic and have them remove the sludge? Is that possible? My trustworthy mechanic died last year, so I am kind of in a bind. Do I take it to the dealer (Ford) I bought it from? Do I take it to the Dodge dealer and see if they will do anything? I have a road trip to take for work next week and don't really want to get stranded. This is my only vehicle. Any goood ideas out there???
- iolaira, Hermiston, OR, US