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.
7.5
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $2,310
- Average Mileage:
- 99,700 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 22 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- not sure (15 reports)
- engine replacement with a 3.5l (3 reports)
- overhaul of motor (2 reports)
- replace intake tensioner and valve gaskets (2 reports)
engine problem
Helpful websites
- No one has added a helpful site for this 1999 Intrepid problem yet. Be the first!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This is part two of what is obviously an unfolding saga.
I was one of the lucky few who got my engine replaced with a used engine with 34k on it. I went to my local lube shop, and got an oil change. result: by the same evening, my engine was ticking! AGAIN!
Learning from past experience, i went to a third party BEFORE bringing it in to the dealer, but without opening the head (it sounded like a top end issue at the time), they couldn't provide information on exactly what was happening, but they told me it was something in the top end of the block. So, i bit the bullet, and brought it in to the dealership, the Team Goewey Dodge Dealership, located in Latham, N. Y.
Well, the dealer called me today, and told me they would replace the intake tensioner, and valve gaskets. The service person, Sara, then proceeded to inform me that they were switching my oil, again, and were going to use regular oil instead of the synthetic. Of course, this struck me as strange, especially because she also told me that this was recommended . . . .
I pushed for more information, and she told me the technician told her that because they didn't know what was used in the engine before, its better to stick with regular oil, and that they're trying to save me money.
undaunted, i pushed for more information. she informed me that this 5 star dodge dealership did NOT have any synthetic oil! this is bordering on preposterous.
now i knew she was full of s#!t.
just to be sure, i called up my lube shop, and asked some questions. turns out that the neon srt4 turbo, the pt cruiser turbo, and the viper all come from factory with synthetic REQUIRED for changes.
i call back Sara, and ask if they sell those models. Yes, was the response. Well, what do they use? "Well, i don't know, we have to look on the oil cap, or in the manual, blah blah blah". It is clear that these people are used to dealing with uninformed customers, and use this to their advantage at every turn. Seems they forgot about the Internet.
well, i don't need to tell anyone here not to buy dodge, but i sure as hell will be informing ANYONE i can. I am definitely talking to a lawyer tomorrow, as well as calling the Company, to give them an earful about the bull that this dealer put me through. Of course, this won't do me much good, but i will anyhow.
- Paul P., Albany, NY, US