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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,608 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.
While driving at any speed engine began ticking. After the vehicle was taken to the dealership consumer was informed that the engine needed replacement.
Engine oil sludge due to malfunctioning of oil pump (and thus low oil pressure) combined with an overheating manifold. Engine rendered useless. Car was just 3 years old, 64,000 miles and properly maintained. No current recall in effect on the part though there ought to be.
Vehicle would not start. It had to be towed to dealer, and dealer stated that O-rings failed, causing loss of pressure. This, in turn, caused the timing chain to jump. Motor needed to be replaced due to bent valves.
Auto purchased in 2/2003. In 6/2003, engine started making horrible noise. Contacted a mechanic. He told us not to drive car; had to have it towed 300 miles home. Several mechanics have looked at the vehicle and tried to solve problem unsuccessfully. Between June and first of November, we had the car in for repairs about 11 times. Were finally told in 11/2003 that car needed new engine (at a cost of $8000) because of design flaw. This is a 2.7 litre engine in a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. Engine does not maintain oil pressure causing damage to belts, pulleys, and tensioner. This also causes the car to stall, which could result in serious accidents. Service manager at one local dealership has 4 cars with same problem, all needing new eninges, sitting in his lot. He has tried to get Chrysler to resolve this; they refuse. If there are 5 cars just in this area needing new engines for the exact same problem, how many are there nationwide? car only has 60,000 miles on it, so there must be something that Chrysler can do to resolve the problem. Any assistance you can provide is appreciated.
- Pellston, MI, USA
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2000 Dodge Intrepid blew an engine at 49,000 miles and needs to be replaced. Clearly the engine is faulty. The dealership who sold me the car will not offer much assistence, nor will daimler/Chrysler.
Enigine blew due to supposed sludge build up. $6500 repair on 3 year old car. All highway miles and regular oil changes. Looks like I am another on the long list. When shop called to give me an estimate he said another intrepip just came in with the same problem.
My 2000 Intrepid with only 77,000 has a blown engine. There was no warning lights, and only driving 15 minutes loud knocking noises ocurred which I pulled over to investigate and then could not restart the car. After towing to my mechanic, he advised me my engine was so hot he didn't know how it didn't start on fire. The repair cost is $6000 which I still owe $5000 for the car. We did all the required maintenace such as oil changes, filter changes, etc. There is no reason for such a vaulty motor to be allowed and with 89 complaints on this web site alone plus all the motors complaints there must be out there, something needs to be done here. I am sure if someone contact every Chrysler's customer of these 2.7 liter motors I am sure there would be a class action suit. Please advise me on how to have my motor repaired by Chrysler.
Engine oil sludge problem caused eninge failuer and manufacture refuses to honor warranty. Only had car for 10 months and only has 48000 mile on it. I purcashed the extend plus warranty along with the car.
While driving at an undetermined speed engine check light appeared on the dash, causing the vehicle to stall. Consumer contacted dealer on two separate occasions, but the problem still occurs.
While pulling into a parking area consumer heard a loud grinding noise coming from the engine compartment. A few seconds later the engine stalled. Dealer found that the pistons and rods were bent in the engine.
While driving at 40 mph consumer heard a noise coming from the engine. Then, stalled on the highway. Dealer thought the problem was the timing chain. The hydraulic tensioner failed due to oil sludge in the engine according to the dealer. The engine was replaced. The driver door latch was noisy and inoperative. The door latch was replaced.
Car would not restart after stopping for gas. I had the car was towed to a shop.I was told that the fuel injector was bad. Had it changed--car still would not start. Two weeks later, I was told that he could not fix it and I should take it to the dealer. He charged me $200 for the fuel injector & towing. The dealer immediately said it was the crank sensor and changed it. The dealer then called and said they changed the sensor and it still won't run. He told me "you have a bigger problem. Your engine is slugged up." I asked how that could be and was told that I must not have changed the oil often enough or used the correct oil. That is totally wrong! I took very good care of the car and always had the oil changed regularly. To repair the car will cost $1100 just to allow them to take the engine apart and further diagnose the problem (no clue how much money after that) or $6000 for a new engine. I do not have the money for a new engine--nor can I afford to make payments on a car that will not get me to work. This was the last problem in a long list of problems in the two years I have owned the car. The driver window fell off track, the pulleys and belts were repaired or replaced repeatedly, several sensors had to be replaced. This car is a total lemon!
While driving at 65 mph vehicle stalled and would not restart. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the consumer that there was a build up of sludge in the engine. Dealer blamed the sludge build up on the consumer, and would not repair the vehicle free of charge.
Vehicle was taken to dealer in November of 2002, check engine light was on. Told me they needed to put on computer to diagnose problem. Replaced cam position sensor for $ $100 June 2003, check engine light came on, vehicle kept stalling. I told dealer thought it may be cam position sensor. Was told no diagnosis could be made without putting in on computer. Told by dealer cam position sensor needed to be replaced. Reminded dealer it was replaced previously. Told dealer there was a tick noise in engine, was told it was the timing belt and "would settle down." August 2003, vehicle making loud noise, towed to dealer. Was told vehicle is out of warranty and engine needs to be replaced. Contacted Dodge customer service and was told that a factory representative would not investigate and that dealer indicated vehicle was out of warranty. Dealer nor manufacturer would not even look in to reason for failure unless I was willing to pay for additional costs.
Engine failure. While driving vehicle shut down. Came to rolling stop. Wife had to push out of street. Pulled codes had a code for cam sensor. Trouble shot found cam not turning. Pulled valve cover right bank. Timing chain shattered. Guides broken, pieces everywhere. Pulled left bank found 4 valves bent. Observed nominal varnish coating on upper head valve train. Engine being rebuilt at this time. Vehicle has 52334 miles was recently bought. Thank you.
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.
Early engine failure - timing chain tensioner failure in a 2000 Dodge Intrepid 2.7 with 56000 well maintained miles. Car just upped and died with no warning. Initial problem was repaired at great expense and more periferal problems are surfacing/
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rochester, NY, USA