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.

9.6

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,330
Average Mileage:
93,500 miles
Total Complaints:
27 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (11 reports)
  2. replace engine (11 reports)
  3. new timing chain, had valves replaced (3 reports)
  4. Chrysler should pay, faulty engine design (2 reports)
1999 Dodge Intrepid engine problems

engine problem

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1999 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

May 212014

Intrepid STD 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,000 miles

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

I got this car for my 18th Birthday from my parents in June of 2013. Truly this car had great potential, but I had a problem since I got it about the engine stalling at red lights and stop signs. It always started up again but no mechanic I took it to knew what the problem was. Then I was accelerating from a red light that it didn't stall out on and I heard a gut wrenching crunch and was stranded for a good two hours. Apparently the timing chain had broken. This really irritated me because the place my parents bought it from specifically mentioned that they had put in a new timing chain. It's possible that the problem was trusting a used car dealership, or not doing more research and identifying the problem sooner, but regardless it has been a severe hassle having to deal with this hunk of metal now considering the engine is completely boned now. I'm hoping to just part out some good things that are left and scrap the rest.

My advice to anyone interested in this model, specifically the 1999 model: I still don't know why, but my 1999 model has stalling issues during my entire ownership of it, gas mileage seemed to be different depending on the car's mood, and the timing chain apparently is not reliable at all. (Assuming the dealership was being honest when they sold it to my parents.)

- osprey, Grand Rapids, MI, US

problem #26

Jun 292011

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,456 miles

Timing chain broke off. Have spent 900 dollars, so far car still doesn't work. this car is a piece of junk.

- Romairo M., Columbia, SC, US

problem #25

Nov 112010

Intrepid 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

BEWARE!!! THIS CAR IS A FREAKIN' NIGHTMARE. DO NOT BUY!!!! LEMON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish I had looked into this car, before buying it. The pros of this car: it's a nice looking car (and that's about all it's good for), it runs good, and it's quiet.

The cons: If anything can go wrong with it, it will. This is definitely a lemon. So far, first thing off the bat, the first day I got it home, got it in my parents driveway, it wouldn't start, after I got back in it. Finally got it started. Took it up to have the battery checked. He said he couldn't get a read on it, cause of where the battery was. Took it back to the dealer. Alternator needed to be replaced. The car door lock on the passenger side wouldn't work, the panel had come off down on the bottom of the door. I have to say, the dealer did replace the alternator, (we're still kind of wondering about the alternator being replaced) and the car lock and panel. So, I didn't have to pay for any of that.

In four weeks time, that I've had this car, I've had to have it towed twice. A couple of weeks later, another nightmare started. Started hearing a rattling noise from the engine. Timing chain had slipped off. Bent 12 valves out of the 24 it had. Over $2000 to fix. Was out of a car for two weeks, and had to borrow money to boot. I have never put out this much money on repairs, on a car. Got it back, and not two days later, the power steering belt comes off. Had something to do with the air conditioner, and said my air conditioner was about to lock up. So they had to disconnect that to keep it from locking up. It'll be about $600 or 700 to have it fixed. They also told me, it was the worst engine of it's kind. Very nice people to deal with.

I'm getting this thing paid off, as soon as I can get it paid off, and get rid of it.

In the meantime, since I've gotten it fixed, it is running good. But, I still don't feel safe in it. I just hope nothing else happens between now and getting it paid off. If anybody complains on here about having something fixed under $500.00, consider yourself lucky.

- 91662, Owensboro, KY, US

problem #24

Jun 062009

Intrepid 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

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

Car sucks. Timing chain broke. Made grinding noises. Broke everything in the engine. Would have cost $4000 to fix. Jokes

- Brandon F., La Crosse, WI, US

problem #23

Dec 102008

Intrepid 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,002 miles

Whats up everyone ok let me tell you my night mare that started 4 days after i bought my dodge intrepid i got it from a car lot 4 days latter i was going to pick my daughter up from school and the piece of crap shut down. the symptoms seen to me that the fuel pump died so i dropped my fuel tank replaced that of course not that wasn't the problem so brought it to a shop and they said my water pump died witch caused my timing chain to jump also making it bend valves 2 passenger side valves well come to find out that the water pump got lose somehow and made the timing belt jump time

causing my valves to be damaged just 2 so the mechanic reset my timing chain tightening it down and said there's nothing wrong with my water pump now timing set but 2 valves still bent how hard is it to fix my valves cause we want to fix it my self don't have the money to replace it by a mechanic can some one help me either on here or contact me throw email at jAY8484@CHARTER.NET......

- Jason O., Pratville, AL, US

problem #22

Nov 072008

Intrepid 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

Bought this car for $3200, my income tax refund, in June 2008. Vehicle had a Carfax report. I have three children, 1 teenager, a 4 yr old, and a 2 year old. I just started a new job, 25 miles out of town, when my car started making a knocking noise. I made sure it had enough oil in it, which it did, and couldn't get it restarted. Had to tow it home. Guess what? The Dodge dealership looked at it and said that all the oil sludge in the engine caused the timing chain to go out. Know how much they want to replace the engine? $6300. Now I have to worry about losing the job that is the only income for my household because I have to find a way to work every day. I just pray every night that someone will come through for me and give me a ride. We don't have that good of a bus service to take me where I work. Someone needs to get a class action suit going against Daimler Chrysler.

- Tammy J., Longview, WA, US

problem #21

Jul 052007

(reported on)

Intrepid LX 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles

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

THESE ENGINES ARE CRAP. CAR SEEMS TO RUN GREAT ONE MIN AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT. IT MESSES UP ON YOU AND LEAVES YOU STRANDED. THIS MAKES THE SECOND TIME IN A 9 MONTH PERIOD THAT THIS SAME THING HAPPIN TO THIS CARS ENGINE.

- Annette J., South Point, OH, US

problem #20

Oct 132006

(reported on)

Intrepid

  • 157,000 miles

The car started smoking and using oil when it had less than 80,000 miles on it. I have seen many other Intrepids leaving a cloud of smoke. I know that the engine is faulty and has a terrible design. It costs several hundred dollars in labor to replace the water pump because of the location in the engine. You have to take off the tire to replace the battery. The engine design is lousy. I have talked to mechanics who tell me that lots of people have had major problems with the 2.7 liter Chrysler engine. It is not the consumers fault and I feel that Chrysler should pay for my engine being rebuilt.

- Brenda B., Athens, AL, US

problem #19

May 202007

(reported on)

Intrepid 2.7

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

Replaced a 1998 Intrepid with a 1999. Should have checked this site first but I did like the Intrepid style. First car was totaled in a wreck. Here's the story

My daughter asked to use the car to go about 100 miles out of town. Told her its running fine so go ahead. On the way back and about two miles from the point she left, the car wouldn't shift and engine is revivng. She calls me on her cell phone and I'm trying to walk her through what to do. She pulls off the highway, turns it off with a friend following her. Had she stopped right there I might have had a transmission sensor failure. I told her to take the next exit to get off the highway thinking that was best on a very busy expressway. By the time she got off the exit, going as slow as possible (50mph) the timing change went and she said it didn't sound good. Had it towed to a Dodge dealer and they informed me I need an Engine Assembly (new engine) for $6500 plus the sensor.

I owe $2400 on the car and after calling around the best I can do is $5000 for a different engine. I went from a good running car to nothing in 15 minutes. I considered hauling the car home, but after talking to several mechanics, I'm scrapping the car as it sits at the dealer. The dealer won't even take it, so now I'm finding someone to come pick it up, I need to pay the bank off to clear the title and making a trip to go gather my goods in the car. Goodbye car and $2400 to start again. I had my daughter do what was best for her safety.

Read the other complaints about the transmission sensor failure and realize that the problem can create this major problem in a matter of a few miles. Goodbye Dodge, you knew this sensor was a problem and didn't recall it or do anyting about it.

- Terry M., Bay City, MI, US

problem #18

Oct 302007

(reported on)

Intrepid ES 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,351 miles

everywhere i read,these 2.7 motors have a sludge problem causing devastating engine failure i use synthetic oil and change it at 5000 kilometers intervals i haven't fixed mine yet as i want a permanent repair as even rebuilds are having same issues seems all the oil guides and passages are to small and with the twin cam gets very hot causing excessive sludge to occur probably why so many have oil light issues as well diamler says sludge means i didnt change oil regular no mater how many service bills i have the bastards are gettin away with a lemon engine they stopped making because of this very problem i came to this site as i was searching for a fix and seen an upgrade to a 3.2 i think anyone try it?

- Phil P., Highgate, Ontario, Canada

problem #17

Aug 262007

(reported on)

Intrepid 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,788 miles

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

Purchased in 8/2000 my 1999 white Dodge Intrepid with only 9,000+ miles. I love this car. It is nice looking and had been great to drive, until 8/16/07. Through the dealership where I bought my car in 2000, I purchased the ultimate extended warranty package (7 yrs./100,000 miles). On evening of 8/16/07 coming home from work (I work less than 10 miles away from my home), I heard a clicking/pinging noise. No lights came on. I got home and went inside to tell my husband about the problem. He came into the garage and tried to start the car. No such luck. The car would fire, but not crank over. We ate dinner and rechecked after dinner once engine cooled down. Same thing happened--car would not start. I have a son-in-law who is a certified auto technician at a large well-known car dealership and he came over and I described to him what happened. He told me it was probably the timing chain. That it either broke or slipped off. He said I would have to have my car towed to a service repair shop so that it could be determined what actually happened. It was towed in and owner of repair service shop told my husband that the timing chain broke and engine was destroyed (2.7L V6 engine), bent valves, etc. My husband saw it. There was NO OIL SLUDGE present. My car is properly maintained and clean and neat in appearance. I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT THE 1999 DODGE INTREPIDS WERE MADE WITH THE 2.7L ENGINES AND THAT THEY ARE A PIECE OF JUNK. ALSO, THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS BY CUSTOMERS WITH THIS ENGINE. I ALSO READ ARTICLES ON THE INTERNET ABOUT CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS. WHY HASN'T DAIMLER/CHRYSLER EVER ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL? No wonder Daimler/Chrysler has been about bankrupt. Back in 2004 a safety recall was issued for the floor shifter ignition, which was taken care of. Now, Daimler/Chrysler is offering a "lifetime" powertrain warranty on vehicles--trying to win back customers who rid their hands of purchasing a Chrysler product. UNBELIEVABLE. My extended warranty expired on 8/21/07, but claim was made before this date. It's kind of a coincidence that this problem occurred only a few days before warranty expiration with ONLY 48,000+ MILES ON VEHICLE!!! I previously had a Dodge Dynasty LE, which also was a nice car. But, when the 1999 Dodge Intrepids came out, I really liked the looks of this vehicle so I traded in my Dynasty for the Dodge Intrepid. I will NEVER, NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER DAIMLER/CHRYSLER VEHICLE AGAIN!!!

- gaylewi, Windsor, WI, US

problem #16

Oct 042007

(reported on)

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles

I bought the 99 intrepid for 3,000 in July of 2007 and got only 2 months of use out of it. the timing chain snapped and wound itself around inside the engine and blew out through the cam cover. It was towed to a service station and the engine was taken apart. I was told that the 2.7 engines overheat causing oil sludgge to build up and overheat the timing chain causing it to break. The body is clean but presently doesn't run and I've been told it will cost 4400.00 to fix. (used engine and labor)

- Jeannie L., Ashtabula, OH, US

problem #15

Sep 172007

(reported on)

Intrepid ES 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 131,000 miles

THIS CAR GAVE ME TROUBLE FROM THE START BUT I THOUGHT THEY WERE JUST MINOR THINGS. I WAS DRIVING TO TAKE MY KIDS TO DAYCARE AND ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN MY CAR STOPPED ON ME. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRYED TO START IT AGAIN AND THE STUPID TIMING BELT JUMPED OUT AT ME RIGHT THROUGH THE PLASTIC COVERING. I FREAKED OTU AND CALLED A FAMILY MEMBER TO HELP ME AND TAKE THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND GET ME TO WORK WHICH I WAS THREE HOURS LATE FOR DEALING WITH THIS CAR. I KEPT IT IN GOOD SHAPE AND TOOK CARE OF MY BABY. MY FAMILY MACHANIC TOLD ME A LOT OF 99INTREPIDS HE SEES HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM AND HE WASNT SUPRISED AT ALL. IM SO PISSED. I CANT AFFORD TO BY A NEW CAR CUZ I WAS STILL PAYING ON THIS ONE. I CANT AFFORD RO GET IT REPAIRED. SO BASICALLY IM FREAKIN STUCK AND OUT OF A CAR!!!!! IF ANYONE HAS A LAW SUIT GOING LET ME IN ON IT. IM JUST AS PISSED OFF AS YOU ARE

- Jessica E., Los Angels, CA, US

problem #14

Mar 172007

(reported on)

Intrepid 2.7L V6 DOHC 24V FI

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,750 miles

Just had car serviced at 86,586 mileage, 5 days later when driving home in 35 MPH zone when all of a sudden "Clang, Clang & rough, shaking engine. I pulled over and called for assistance. Mechanic came and took vehicle to shop. I had been told that it is a very expensive repair (Timing Chain) and that this problem exists on 1999 models when they reach the 85,000 plus miles. I have contacted Dodge (via website) to see if this should still be under original drive train 100,000 warranty! I am waiting for their response as to their plans on covering this "faulty" piece of engineering. Is Dodge (Chrysler) going to step up and take care of this? I am 82 years old and cannot afford the cost of either a new car or this repair! I JUST bought this car from Sherwood of Salisbury (Maryland) in December 2006 (with 81296 of original mileage)-to bad the the CARFAX run does not also check on car complaints! Consumers just keep getting ripped off by the auto industry from the manufacturer, dealer and consumer assurance agencies alike... I need help with this issue-any suggestions?

- D. B., Cambridge, MD, US

problem #13

Sep 142006

(reported on)

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,982 miles

I bought this 1999 Dodge Intrepid used. Just after i bought it at 69 miles a hour it would hesitate.

I called the dealer i bought it from and he told me to try fuel injector cleaner so i did. Problem continued and when driving to make the first payment engine oil light came on. so i stopped and checked the oil it was a 1/2 quart low.

So i put it in and restarted the car and got a real bad noise from the engine area. took it to the dealer and they told me the 2nd timing chain went out. Well waiting on the warranty company to get to the dealer i requested a oil sample to have checked so i could make sure nothing was added to keep the noise down. the dealer finally told me that it would be $6,600.00 for a new motor. the number 1 rod had spun and caused internal damage. The warranty co said they would only cover $4,575.00 to fix it. Now i will go to the dealer i bought it from and hopefully they will stand by their name and cover all other cost. I will also e-mail my state rep and complain to them after reading all the other articles on this issue. This is only my 2nd time buying a Chrysler/Dodge product the first time was bad i should of learned my lesson.

- Jeff S., Romeo, MI, US

problem #12

Feb 192007

(reported on)

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,800 miles

I had been without my car for two weeks while Dodge replaced the engine from the first engine failure. I had the car back for three days and the engine never did sound very good and was sounding progressively worse. I called them and told them I wasn't satisfied and all I get is "it's a brand new engine it's fine". Well, it was loud, rough and sounded like a diesel. I was on my way home when all of a sudden something in the engine broke. There was a CLANG! CLANG! BOOM! as I was going 45 mph down the road. Well, that scared the hell out of me. I am now on my second replacement engine. This engine only has to last until November and then I am getting rid of this car. I am going to buy me a Chevrolet Impala. Anybody know of any complaints on them?

- Sheila P., Cordova, TN, US

problem #11

Jan 022007

(reported on)

Intrepid 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

The replacement engine just failed with the same problem. It is toast.

If Dodge doesn't compensate me for this, I will never ever buy a Chrysler product again.

- rbuhrman, Tracys Landing, MD, US

problem #10

Oct 302006

(reported on)

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Ok let me begin with my story i got the car at 140,000 miles on the car for like 5,000$ at some repo and it was in good condition i drove it for like 3 months and i hear this ticking sound and the car wasn't on warranty so i had no choice so my dad is a 40 year mechanic but he retired now i showed him the sound and he knew where it was coming from he said it was the timing chain and so we had no choice so we took it in to a local mechanic he checked it out and he told us we need to change the whole engine he said everything was messed up in there so we changed it for 3,000$ and we had a 100 day warranty on the engine so it was about a month after the day they installed the motor and i took it to the mechanic and he sent me away saying oh they have this thing thats made for lifters its quiets the valves so we bought it and put it in the engine where the oil goes so it stopped and it came back after a week and we took it back to him he's like they have this special oil for cars called synthetic oil cost about 6$ each qt and got a oil change with that then the noise kept coming back and going and when we took it to him the sound was gone but he heard it a few times so like 2 months past after struggling with this engine and it was a week after the warranty finished the sound was going crazy and my car was stalling so we took it to him and he said i dont know what to do so he called the place where he ordered the engine from and had a little argument with them and all and so they said bring the car engine we will take a look at it so they had the car for one day they brought it back and said we did somthing and fixed we asked what they didnt tell us but since my dad was a mechanic he took a look at the engine and he saw that they took the camshaft off and tightened the chain bootlegged like they cut the chain and use a chain bracket kit the close up the chain so its tighter which is wrong to do in the first place, my dads knows this because he knows people that do it anyways a few days passed and i hear the sound once again and im so pissed off and like the next was my bday had alot of things planned i was driving on the road and my car dies no start no nothing so i called the AAA and they towed my car to their shop and they took a look at it they tried to jump it and like they told me they got it to start but they heard a loud noise and the engine shutted off he took a look and told me the chain broke and the valves bent so i told this to that engine place and they tell me your car is out of warranty we cant do anything but why did u open my engine and tightened the chain so its not loose anymore which made it really cheap and it snapped and bent all my valves.... anyways im complaining about dodge that they made a terrible mistake in making the dodge intrepids like this so many people spent so much money on these vehicles is this how dodge treats there customers i dont think so hopefully the dodge dealers all go down and pay for what they get if there is any lawsuit with dodge please email me in the mean time i will try to get a lawsuit on the place where they installed my engine..

- Steve H., Los Angeles, CA, US

problem #9

Sep 022006

(reported on)

Intrepid LE

  • 104,000 miles

I had a previous steering problem, and several transmissions problems. The worst was the timing chain failure which almost caused an accident and I have been told will cost over $4000 to repair. The car now sits in the driveway. I have owned 6 other Dodge cars in the past but after this experience and seeing the number of other engine failures and Dodge hiding it's head in the sand I will NEVER buy another product from them again. I did like the new Chargers and was looking into another purchase until this happened. NEVER AGAIN.

- mahogoff, Epping, NH, US

problem #8

May 012006

(reported on)

Intrepid ES

  • 68,000 miles

dodge intrepid are good looking cars but they got the worst engines in them i think that intrepids are the worst cars that was ever made on earth take it from an expert NEVER BUY INTREPID

- Bassem K., Chicago Ridge, IL, US

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