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.

2000 Dodge Intrepid engine problems

engine problem

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2000 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments (Page 2 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #228

Jan 172009

Intrepid

  • miles

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

2000 Dodge Intrepid engine failure while driving. Loss of power steering and brakes. The engine started knocking and quit running. Cost to replace the engine is $2200 for used engine which does not include labor. Automobile is parked at home. This vehicle was also taken to dealer who also stated cost for new engine and labor would be $5000.

- Cedar Creek, TX, USA

problem #227

Feb 272009

Intrepid

  • 109,025 miles
2000 Dodge Intrepid motor failure due to oil sludge buildup despite regular oil changes.

- Orem, UT, USA

problem #226

Feb 102009

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • 147,500 miles
My water pump blew unexpectedly while driving to the gas station without any previous problems or indications of a problem whatsoever. I thankfully was turning into a gas station when my car suddenly stalled and was able to continue rolling in the parking lot and just made it before an oncoming car almost hit me. I took the car to a local repair where it cost 834$ just to repair because of the extensive work involved in replacing a waterpump on that 2.7L V6 pos Dodge Intrepid. The following week while driving to class, I parked and the car engine started revving up by itself once again with no prior indication of a possible problem. I called the repair shop and he said bring it in I barely made it to the repair shop and once again as soon as I turned in the parking lot my car stalled and wouldn't turn over afterwards. By that time the check engine light had come on they said it was a generic camsensor/crankshaft error they cleared out the error code ran the car for over four hours leaving it idle, driving it, and letting it sit and cool down and doing it all over again the car never did it again so they assumed the it was just a gliche in computer and nothing was wrong. Approximately a week later I was driving home from my friends house where my car started jerking when going into different gears. I tried as hard as I could to get it to the repair shop to avoid any further towing fees which have cost me up to about 200$ already. I was stopped by a stop light of a busy intersection that was about 3 blocks away from the repair shop&it was pouring down rain I turned on my hazard lights&my dome lights to help other cars see me so they didn't hit me. I almost got hit several times finally got help pushing off the road and waited for a tow truck for over an hour started the car and it ran so I took the chance with my father there behind me&made it to the repair shop. It was the cam sensor which was another 100$. this past week I went to start my car it wouldn't.

- Munster, IN, USA

problem #225

Jan 232009

Intrepid

  • 122,905 miles

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

My car died on January 23rd for good while I was driving it. The day before I was driving home from college and I was only going about 40 miles per hour when my car just died. For no reason at all. I was able to start it back up and make it home. The following day my boyfriend, me and our son were on our way back home from my mothers house we turned into cvs and the car died!!!!! it started back up and we made it out of the way of the other cars behind us. When it restarted this time it was an awful noise coming from the engine. We parked it and I called my step-dad and he said to try and get it home and he would look at it the next day. We got the car home and he came to look at it and said he hasn't ever seen sludged up oil like that in his life!!! he tried to start it a few times and it wouldn't. so now I have this car sitting in my driveway undrivable!!!!! =I have two children, one in school and one not. I'm in college and this is our only vehicle!!!!!!!!!! now what do I do"???????" I'm not made of money and I have no way to buy a new engine!! please find some way to help me.

- Ravenna, OH, USA

problem #224

Jun 102008

Intrepid

  • miles
I own a 2000 Dodge Intrepid and have had the oil sending unit pressure switch and a few other things replaced on my vehicle and yet the oil light still comes on in my vehicle and I can't keep affording to take it in to a shop and I maintain the oil changes before the 3000 miles if not exactly on the 3000 miles. I would really like to find out if they have any kind of recall on this type of situation.

- Lorain, OH, USA

problem #223

Jan 112009

Intrepid

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. When the contact started the vehicle, he heard a loud banging and knocking noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and they determined that the vehicle was experiencing internal failure. No repairs were performed. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The VIN is currently unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 94,000.

- Mount Pleaseant, PA, USA

problem #222

Dec 012008

Intrepid

  • 41,000 miles

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

I bought this 2000 Dodge Intrepid, V-6, 2.7 liter engine, new from a dealer in December, 1999. In 2003, with less than 40,000 miles on it, the engine seized up. The dealer contacted Chrysler, and the engine was replaced as if it had been under extended warranty. Interestingly, the dealership found no indication of excessive sludge buildup, which apparently is the basis of most complaints about this engine. I paid about $200, and was satisfied at that point. Since then, I've had lots of (relatively minor) repairs done on this car, and I would rate it below average for reliability. The car now has about 81,000 miles on it, which means the current engine has about 41,000 miles. The engine has failed again. The only warning was an intermittent (not consistent) clicking sound, which my mechanic felt was coming from the housing over the front part of the engine (where the timing gear/belt is located). Thus far, Chrysler has not responded to my request for coverage as if it were under warranty. I have reviewed many of the on-line complaints about the 2.7 liter engine; I have talked to at least three local (non-dealership) mechanics, each of whom was familiar with sudden catastrophic failures of the 2.7 engine, and one of whom said he personally knew of seven such failures in this local area. None of those independent mechanics would touch this repair job. This is probably an $8,000 repair job, if I choose to have it repaired. It makes no economic sense, when the trade-in value of the car is less than $2,000. Even if I replace the engine (again) I would not sell this car to another individual without describing the problems with the engine. I've read enough, and heard enough, to believe that Chrysler should be forced to initiate some sort of replacement and compensation program, at least for those of us who bought our vehicle new, have owned it continuously, have maintained it properly, have not abused it in any way, but can't afford to prosecute a lawsuit.

- Kernersville, NC, USA

problem #221

Nov 232008

Intrepid

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. On November 11, 2008, the contact drove the vehicle approximately seven miles when it began to overheat. Suddenly, the engine shut off and the vehicle was towed to the repair shop. The mechanic stated that the engine needed to be replaced. A report was filed with the manufacturer and they stated that the vehicle needed to be towed to a Chrysler dealer for a diagnosis; however, they did not guarantee assistance with the repair. The current and failure mileages were 125,000.

- Dahlgreen , VA, USA

problem #220

Sep 152008

Intrepid

  • 85,000 miles
I have been getting my oil changed regularly since I both the car in 2007. When I bought the car it only had about 65000 miles. Now in 2008 it has a little over 85000. I was driving one day and all of a sudden my car started making a knocking noise. Within a couple of miles of the noise started my car completely broke down in the middle of the street. There I was in the middle of the street not able to go anywhere. Luckily a cop came by who called a tow truck. After towing the car to the auto repair shop, I was told that my engine needed to be replaced due to oil sludge. I am very disappointed in this. I have low miles, proper maintenance to the car, and now I need a new engine.

- Arnold , MO, USA

problem #219

Aug 152008

Intrepid

  • 150,000 miles
Driving at 60 mph. Vehicle engine failure due to insufficient lubrication. (working on) replacing damaged parts and or engine.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #218

Sep 282008

Intrepid

  • 555,450 miles

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

Multiple low-speed stalls/engine shutdown; sometimes engine light or oil light precede the stall. Unable to restart vehicle for several minutes. This vehicle has be given all regular routine service, oil changes, etc., by Dodge/Chrysler dealership where vehicle was purchased new. Currently only 55, 450 miles on vehicle. Problems began occurring within last year. Dealer unable to identify any trouble codes after evaluation of stall complaints. Dealership not forthcoming with any problems with this vehicle with 2.7L engine, although many complaints have been found on internet sites including NHTSA website. Apparently there exists a manufacturing defect Chrysler Corp does not want to acknowledge, as it is pervasive for this model.

- Granby , MO, USA

problem #217

Jan 042007

Intrepid

  • 89,000 miles
Oil sludge caused motor to fail at 80,000 miles.

- New Haven, OH, USA

problem #216

Aug 312008

Intrepid

  • 75,000 miles
I took my 2000 Intrepid to the car shop because my engine light kept coming on. They couldn't find anything and they could not find anything wrong. My oil was fine. Then a month later my oil light came on again and the engine started making a knocking noise. I then learned that my engine had completely failed even after only 75,000 miles on it.

- Arnold, MO, USA

problem #215

Oct 012006

Intrepid

  • 71,000 miles
Engine stopped running while I was at 55mph on a rural road late at night. Had car towed to dealership that I bought car. Timing belt and guides eng due to sludge build up. I had the oil changed every 3,000 miles from when I bought it. Dealership could not find sludge but was told this was the problem. Had repairs done after continual complaints took 5 months to get car repaired. 5 months later and 10,000 miles the engine goes again. At 21 this car sits in my dad's driveway rusting. Replacement parts could not be located. Replacement of engine I can not pay for. Chrysler will not help. I've had better help from my dog!

- Hamlin, NY, USA

problem #214

Aug 102008

Intrepid

  • 121,890 miles
I had a Dodge Intrepid that has had nothing but problems with the engine. When I went online to do research I found out that there were many other complaints, the same as I had. I want to know why no-one has done anything in regards to this problem. I actually had a part person at fireside Dodge in modesto tell me that a part I was buying was a known defect part and that is why they changed it but they weren't putting out a notice until they were forced to because it was expensive, I put the latest incident as the date but this is the third tragic incident with this engine. The first incident was when I had to have all my rods replaced in the engine because of a sludge build-up in the engine. The second incident was when a part connected to my radiator blew off and I had to replace that. Now, this third incident and I still not have a diagnosis on what is wrong but it is leaning to the heads, head gasket, and piston rings. Please look at these website and start an investigation into Dodge about this engine. It is not fair that honest, hard working people have to deal with faulty engineering. I am lucky that no one has been hurt on any time my car has broken down because all three times I was on a major freeway, once coming home from stockton on highway 99 the other two happened when I was over 2 hours from home and I had to pay a $575 tow truck fee each time to get my car home. www.dodgechryslerengineproblems.com www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/Intrepid/2002/engine www.oilsludge.com dodgestories.blogspot.com

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #213

Feb 152008

Intrepid

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. The contact attempted to start his vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and the diagnosis was engine failure. The current and failure mileages were 90,000.

- Hammington, NJ, USA

problem #212

Jul 202008

Intrepid

  • 109,865 miles
I have a Dodge Intrepid 2000 I have a loud motor knock, with no warning of engine light coming on at all. I was taking it down the street to the repair shop and it just died, no it will not start. I am told the engine is shot, that the timing chain tensioner failed, which caused it to knock while driving it. The dealer said the engine problem is not covered under warranty because of oil sludge build up. I only have 110,000 miles on this car, and it is already the 2nd motor that Chrysler replaced.

- Albion, NY, USA

problem #211

Jul 192008

Intrepid

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated that there were issues with her vehicle involving the engine motor. The timing chain tensioner failed, which caused the engine to knock while driving 40 mph. She consulted the dealer and they stated that the engine in that particular motor was the worst motor ever produced by the manufacturer. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that the parts alone would cost $400 in order to complete the repair. The current and failure mileages were approximately 116,000.

- Jersey Shore, PA, USA

problem #210

Jul 012008

Intrepid

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 40 mph, the motor began making a knocking noise. Within minutes, the motor completely failed. The contact managed to restart the vehicle and pulled over at a gas station. He checked the oil in the vehicle and noticed that it barely had any oil. He added oil to the vehicle, hoping it would correct the failure, which it did for 3 or 4 miles. The contact then had to pull over once again for the motor noises. The vehicle was towed to a shop and the mechanic stated that the motor was shot due to a spun main bearing. The vehicle is currently at the dealer from where it was purchased and has not been repaired. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 60,000.

- Tarentum, PA, USA

problem #209

Jun 192008

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. While driving between 60-65 mph, the ignition light illuminated and the vehicle shut off. The vehicle restarted in approximately half an hour to forty minutes, which allowed him to continue onto his destination. The dealer stated that the motor dropped due to sludge. The previous day, the ignition light illuminated. The failure mileage was 102,000. Updated 09/10/08 updated 09/19/08.

- Los Vegas, NV, USA

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