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.
I've had this car for about 15 months now. Before I got it, the entire front end had been rebuilt due to a collision. It's currently on its third engine and second transmission which so far haven't given me any crap. However a few months ago the shift level started to get stiff when the engine warmed up. Over time it has gotten progressively worse and worse until today. I had to slam it into park to get it to release my keys. After that I spent some time with a flashlight in the dark trying to release the tension on the shifter cable (there was A LOT of it). It was only temporary though, and by that I mean it's about 5 hours later and its bound up again. I had to leave the keys in the ignition, thankfully I keep a spare at home. So now I have to replace the shifter cable.
Well I have work the next five days or so. Here's hoping it holds out through then.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I've had this car for about 15 months now. Before I got it, the entire front end had been rebuilt due to a collision. It's currently on its third engine and second transmission which so far haven't given me any crap. However a few months ago the shift level started to get stiff when the engine warmed up. Over time it has gotten progressively worse and worse until today. I had to slam it into park to get it to release my keys. After that I spent some time with a flashlight in the dark trying to release the tension on the shifter cable (there was A LOT of it). It was only temporary though, and by that I mean it's about 5 hours later and its bound up again. I had to leave the keys in the ignition, thankfully I keep a spare at home. So now I have to replace the shifter cable.
Well I have work the next five days or so. Here's hoping it holds out through then.
- Chris S., Bethlehem, PA, US