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.
Bought the car with 56,400 miles, drove it 5 weeks without a problem. Now the fuel gauge needle drops to zero and the low fuel buzzer sounds for a second or so, then returns to normal. At one point it happened 23 times in a 5 mile trip. Started after filling the fuel tank until it was about half empty, then worked fine until it was refueled when it repeated the sequence.
Want to know how prevalent this problem is on this model and what the solution is. If I were to repeat the complaint once for each occurrence I'd be here all night.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Bought the car with 56,400 miles, drove it 5 weeks without a problem. Now the fuel gauge needle drops to zero and the low fuel buzzer sounds for a second or so, then returns to normal. At one point it happened 23 times in a 5 mile trip. Started after filling the fuel tank until it was about half empty, then worked fine until it was refueled when it repeated the sequence.
Want to know how prevalent this problem is on this model and what the solution is. If I were to repeat the complaint once for each occurrence I'd be here all night.
- terrypa, Milton, PA, US