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.

4.8

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,683 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.

2000 Dodge Intrepid electrical problems

electrical problem

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2000 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments

problem #3

Oct 152003

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

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

Since I bought this car on October of 1999, I have taken it to the dealer 31 times to fix things. I have been without a car 100 days. I have paid out of pocket $3,137.64. I am now on an extended warranty. I still owe $8,000 on my car. It has 60,000 miles. I have maintained it every 3,000 miles as suggested in the owners manual. I only use 97 octane gas. I am a very cautious driver. I take care of the car but the car has left me stranded in the middle of highways putting my life and the lives of my passengers in danger. I never know when the car is going to break down again and where so I am always under terrible stress. I pray as I drive that I make it to my destination. This car has been a lemon since I bought it. The biggest problem is the engine blowing. My brother in law was driving and I was the passenger on South dixie highway (US1) in South miami when we were at a red light and then started to go when the light turned green and without any warning lights, noises, or anything the car stopped running. It died in the middle lane. We had to push it to the side. It was rush hour and this highway is filled with very aggressive drivers. They were all cursing, beeping, signaling, and driving so close to us as to almost touch us. I was petrified. I thought a car was going to hit us. I paid for the engine repair out of my pocket, because the extended warranty company told the dealer they could not cover it because there was sludge build up. They send an adjustor who reported it to them. The dealer told us to fight it because the sludge was normal for that type of engine. We provided the extended warranty all the receipts for the maintenance that we religiously did about every 3000 miles. We also had another mechanic go in and look at the car. The other mechanic said that these types of engines always had the problem of sludge build up and that it was normal for the engine and that the extended warranty should cover it.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #2

Nov 272003

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50 miles
I purchased a new 2000 Dodge Intrepid April 15, 2000. While on my way to thanksgiving dinner, on the expressway, the oil light came on & 2 seconds later the car stopped. I finally was able to move it to the right lane (there is no emergency parking on the van wyck) when all lights including my hazard lights went out. My family and I almost died on the expressway. I had it towed to a dealer that night and after repeated calls to them they responded six days later telling me the starter needed replacing and I needed a new battery. When I called to find out when it could be picked up, they told me I had a seased engine and they did could not tell me why. My warranty was for 7 years or 50,000 miles; however, I now had 60,000 miles there fore I am no longer covered and must pay $7000 for a new engine. I owe $13,000 on my car note, the dealer told me to pay of the note and come buy another car. I have researched and found numerous cases of seased engines on the model. The manufacturer is aware of this dangerous condition, my family was almost killed and I am sure there have been cases where this condition has been fatal. Something must be done.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #1

Apr 122000

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
Purchased a 2000 Dodge Intrepid from dadeland Dodge in miami, fl. The car is qualified for the lemon law 3 months after purchase, but unaware of such a law and never filed. Now it is too late. It is now I decided to take action since the engine blew on 04/12/03. My brother in law was driving and the engine just stopped without warning. I called for a tow truck to be taken to the dealer. The car has about 65,000 miles, and the extended warranty should have covered the repairs; however, the dealer declined. I ended up paying $2,714.87 to get the engine rebuilt. In addition, I also don't have a car for 2 months, and disputed with the dealer and extended warranty company during that span.

- Miami, FL, USA

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