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:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,048 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.
I have a 1999 Intrepid 2.7 liter V6. At 41000 miles the oil light started coming on. I had the cat towed to the dealer and they told me the engine was shot. It had spun a bearing. When the engine was opened up all of the oil had bee turned to sludge which looked like burnt pudding. I leased this car from a dealer as a demo with 21000 miles. I was told it was dealer serviced. I personally serviced it myself per the Dodge requirements. There is no way the oil should solidify the way it has. There is a serious design problem with the oil system and the cooling of this aluminum marvel of a motor. Dealer quoted $7000 to install used motor. I purchased a remanufactured motor and installed it myself for $3500. Dodge should stand behind it's products. I found dealer and factory people of no use to solve this problem which seems rampant with this motor.
Purchased a 1999 Dodge Intrepid in 2000. The engine locked and went out while I was driving during rush hour on us interstate 83 in Pennsylvania without any notice.
While driving 65 mph, the consumer heard a loud rattling noise coming from under the hood. The consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed to the dealership. The mechanic informed the consumer that the problem was due to engine failure, and the engine needed to be replaced..
I have a 1999 Dodge Intrepid with 68,000 miles on it. The motor seized on my way home from work and cost $7,000 for a new engine. The retail on my car is $5,200.
- Daleville , AL, USA
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1999 Dodge Intrepid with 2.7L engine, purchased may of 2002 with 59,000 miles. Oil changed every 3000 to 5000 miles. In may of 2003, motor "blew" while driving due to sludge build up in motor. In September 2003, purchased 2003 a Intrepid also with 2.7L engine, drove for three days when check engine light came on. Returned to dealer, car spent 45 days in shop having 1 head, 1 injector, 1 piston, 1 rod replaced. Dealer refused to replace entire engine or to purchase the car back. Have found several web sites on "bad" Dodge 2.7L engines from 1998 to present.
The engine port holes are not large enough to allow the oil to flow through. This results in the engine burning out. Engine had been replaced 3 times, but a solution was not found.
1999 Dodge Intrepid with a 2.7 engine stalled and completely stopped and would not start again. It is very dangerous to deal with this matter because the wheel could barely be turned.
While driving 45 mph, the engine made a knocking sound, then stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, the engine had to be replaced. The engine lost power and stated to run rough. (complete failure while making a left turn) per mechanic, the engine failure was caused by a defective lubricating system.
I have owned a 1999 Dodge Intrepid since new.I have detailed records of my oil changes every 3,000 miles with filter. I added slick 50 at 52,000 miles to insure long life. We never drove it hard and at 76,300 miles it develops a rattle, I take it to the dealer and they say I need a new engine at a cost of 7,400 dollars. This is rediculous, and consumer fraud to take the public twice, first when they buy the Dodge 2.7L engine, and the second time when they ream them for the replacement cost of an original faulty product.
I have a 1999 Dodge Intrepid with the common blown 2.7L engine. Only 46,000 miles. After research it seem there are common problems with this engine and yet nothing is done. I would like to see manufacturer stand behind their product.
Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no with warning vehicle will shut off, causing consumer to pull over. It will be hard to get the vehicle back started.dealer notified.
At just over 73000 miles knocking sound began from engine. I stopped driving and took to mechanic, I was informed motor was shot and would need complete rebuild. Car had been serviced since purchase according to chrylser recommendations. As I contacted service & salvage shops to explain my need, they (5 different shops) started telling me the problem before I could finish. Said 2.7 motor was defect from factory. I had to have complete engine rebuild at cost of $3000 as I could not afford to buy another motor. I contacted dealer about problem and they said they never heard of this. Said they would look into it and get back with me and never did. From what I have been told there is a problem with the 2.7 engine and everyone seems to be aware of it but chrylser.
Engine failure due to sludge build-up at 65,077 miles. Took to dealer, dealer made determination that problem was sludge build-up due to poor maintainence. Oil change was performed 6 weeks before failure at 63,163; no mention to owner of any problems with oil or engine. We have researched the problem and have found many, many more complaints about the same problem with the 2.7 engine.
At 99,500 miles the engine blew, oil had just been changed the day before when the engine began making a low ticking noise which quickly turned into a loud knocking. I had the car towed to a shop where they stated that it appeared that for some reason the car had lost oil pressure and no oil was getting to the engine. The engine would have to be replaced for a cost of at least 6000 dollars.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Amelia, OH, USA