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:
2 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,827 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.
We have had regular oil changes on the car. A week or two after the last oil change, it started to knock. While on my way to work one morning it died on the highway. We have gotten estimates from the local Dodge dealer, and a couple other mechanics, and we need a new engine and it will cost a lot more than what the car is actually worth.
Engine failure in my 2000 Dodge Intrepid-Chrysler knows this engine is crap and will not fix it-they should be held liable and have to replace every 2.7 V-6 for free.
2000 Dodge Intrepid, 2.7 engine. Oil sludge defect at 92000 miles. No warning. Vehicle was traveling 70 mph and timing chain failed, causing spin out with near crash. Vehicle was perfectly maintained using synthetic oil at 5000 intervals. Had to get hotel room with 2 kids at christmas time, and wait for repair to car, which included new top end and timing chain set. $2600 spent.
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. The contact heard a buzzing noise and the engine shut off without warning. The vehicle has not yet been diagnosed. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 139,000.
The car was a fleet vehicle with documented services completed. I bought the car in May 2003 with approximately 60000 miles on it. Continued with regular oil changes around 3000 miles. When the car reached around 100000 miles the oil light started flicking at low rpms. Even though I had just changed the oil around 1000 miles before. I just figured that the car was burning some oil since it had over 100000 mile on it so I just kept a quart in the trunk and checked the oil level when the light would start flickering and add some oil if it was low. Then coming home from work one evening the car just lost power and the engine light came on. Since the car was still running and I was in traffic I tried to get it to a parking lot when it died at a red light. Got it started and to a parking lot and that was where it expired.
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 70 mph the engine shut off without warning. She was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who stated that the problem was caused due to engine sludge, which caused the timing chain to break. The manufacturer stated there was nothing they could do. The current and failure mileages were 88,000.
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 68 mph, the contact heard a clicking noise and the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed. A local mechanic diagnosed the vehicle as needing a new engine. The current and failure mileages was under 62,000. Updated 02/01/08. Updated 02/01/08
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact heard a noise which sounded like rocks were in the engine. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who stated that the vehicle needed a new engine. The VIN, purchase date, and number of cylinders were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 148,000.
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 30 mph, the contact heard a knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact shut the engine off and was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who stated that the vehicle needed a new engine. The current and failure mileages were 62,000.
- the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 30 mph the engine stalled without warning. The check engine light turned on. The failure mileage was 112,000. The vehicle was towed to a Dodge dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed as having engine sludge. The vehicle required a new engine.
Had oil changed at 73,000 miles. Within a few weeks oil light started flickering. Oil levels were okay engine began to knock at 5000 RPM. One week later engine failed on highway almost causing major accident.
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 5 mph the contact heard a loud noise near the engine. The dealer stated that the failure was caused by the timing chain, and therewas sludge build up inside the engine. No repairs have been made to the vehicle. The current and failure mileage were 94,000.
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. While in motion the vehicle produced a knocking noise in the engine compartment. The vehicle shut off and was towed. The mechanic diagnosed the noise as the tensioner failing. The vehicle was also found to have sludge in the engine, and a new one was needed. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileage were 98,099.
- the contact stated that while driving the 2000 Dodge Intrepid at 35 mph the vehicle slowed down to 5 mph without warning. This occurred when she attempted to depress the brake to stop at a red light. She felt as if the vehicle was out of control. The the lights on the dashboard started blinking. The vehicle then lost power. The contact stated that she was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic, and they advised the contact that there was a problem with the engine. Also, the vehicle was taken to a different mechanic, and they informed the contact of the samething. The vehicle had 39,700 miles.
Car stalled out in December 06 and battery replaced. Stalled again in March 07 and have been told the timing belt broke and new engine needed at only 81,000 miles. Tried to see if used engine available and was told none could be found because this was typical to the Intrepid. Also told a new engine cost and labor is about $3500. We owe $4400 and pay $163 every month with two years left to pay. Were already on the brink of foreclosure on our home and we were struggling to make these car payments, we willl struggle to pay for a car that we can not even drive. I will be contacting the dealership who should have been aware of these complaints from what I've read here, and I will be contacting Chrysler who really needs to stand behind there product!no wonder everyone is going foreign!to the CEO's, enjoy those huge homes and paychecks while the rest of us pay for Chrysler's mistakes!my brother died in a Chrysler when he was 20 years old because of a steering default!this was 23 years ago, I really should have known better!!!!I'm very glad to see from these complaints that few are getting killed from this engine defect. Lucky for Chrysler, they don't have to pay up!even more lucky for the owners of these cars and anyone driving around them when they stall!!!
I have a 2000 Intrepid with a 2.7 L engine. I was driving on main street and engine seized. Dealership says timing chain broke and I need new engine. I have 72,000 miles on car. On a previous visit to the dealer shop, I specifically asked about the timing chain, they said it would be good for 120,000 miles. At that visit they told me I had oil sludge and they flushed the oil, gas and transmission lines out. I have spend thousand of dollars keeping this car in good maintenance condition and now it's worthless.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Troy, MO, USA