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:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
158,000 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.
Driving vehicle on exit 73 in lisbon, md. When acceleration halts and car will not accelerate over 60mph and was steadily decreasing. As I pulled off the exit, the car stalled and the battery light came on, then the engine light and then the transmission light, proceeding was all lights in the car blacked out and the car was only drifting off the exit. As the car stopped and I put it in park, I noticed black smoke and fire submerging in the front of the car with force. I then heard a pop to realize my tires popped from the burning heat of the fire. I exited the vehicle with nothing in tow and in fear of my life in addition to my passenger whom we both left valuable items in the burning car. This seems to fall under a form of defect in which I would like to have investigated and a claim filed as this was a very traumatic experience which I would not want to happen to anyone else. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Martinsburg, WV, USA
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- Martinsburg, WV, USA