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:
13 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,115 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.
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. While the vehicle was in park the air bags abruptly deployed without any level of impact to the vehicle. The driver sustained minor injury. The authorized dealer was notified of the malfunction. The vehicle repair cost was approximately $3,500. The failure and current mileage were unknown. The VIN was unavailable.
2000 Dodge Intrepid bought in April used with 11,000 miles. Since then it has been in shop 9-10 times, mostly consisting of steering problems, such as rack and pinion and the steering coupler. There were other issues, but this was the main concern. One week ago the consumer was involved in an accident, front end impact for which the air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained injuries. No repairs after the accident because there was over $6,000 worth of damage. Emergency brake handle was loose. The dealer determined the it was not connected. The dealer repositioned/reassembled the emergency brake. The key wouldn't come out of the ignition because the shift interlock cable broke. The check engine light illuminated. The dealer replaced the wiring to the brake light switch.
The consumer was involved in a 25 mph frontal collision and both frontal air bags failed to deploy. No injury was reported dealer / manufacturer were both notified.
When driving at undetermined speed steering wheel failed, causing the driver to lose control the vehicle and hit another vehicle head on. Consumer stated that steering wheel locked up, and both front air bags did not deploy. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic determined that the steering column bolt snapped.
While driving at 30 mph on a city street the consumer collided with another vehicle in an intersection. The consumer's front left side impacted with the other vehicles rear right side. None of the frontal air bags deployed in the consumers vehicle. There were no injuries to either party in the accident.
- Burbank, IL, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Vehicle hit a concrete post at less than 15mph. Air bags deployed hitting the driver. I do not believe the air bags should have deployed. I am concerned for employee safety. We have had two Intrepids deploy the air bags at less than 15 mph.
Upon hitting a deer T electrical box split open, and caused a fire, burning entire car. Airbags did not go off, and anti-lock brakes locked up for at least 6 feet.
Consumer was in an accident traveling 70mph. Accident damaged right front corner panel, every thing electrical was knocked out, air bags didn't deploy, 2-3 inch crease right underneath left head light. Since accident fuel emissions light has been off and on. Vehicle has been in 5 times since first week in November. Dealer said it was a fuel emissions leak, consumer didn't know how to put on gas cap. After the vehicle was repaired for damages caused by the accident, the ses light came on and the vehicle was serviced four times for the same fuel emissions leaks. Finally, a broken fuel line was found and was fixed.
On or about the first week of October my engine light came on. The engine showed no signs of failure but the transmission seemed a little sluggish. During the first or second week of November I finally got a chance to take the car to the dealership. They did a diagnostic on the car and found nothing. The light came back on the same day I picked it up and along with that my air bag light came on and the RPM and speedometer gauges stopped working. The gauges do not work when air bag light is lite. The dealership is aware of the problem and I will be taking the car back to dealership 11/27/00. I will keep you informed of the progress.
The problem I have with this vehicle is this. My daughter got into a rear end collision with this car. She hiot a van with very minimal damage to it. Air bags never deployed but vehicle had 5000 dollars woth of damage. Something is wrong. Not getting any response from Dodge.
When vehicle was put in park it suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated, resulting in a collision which caused property damage. Also, upon impact, airbags did not deploy.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cortland, NY, USA