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:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
88,393 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 driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle crashed into a brick wall and severely damaged the front passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and the front passenger seat belts malfunctioned. The driver sustained a back injury and body bruises and the front passenger sustained broken ribs. The rear passenger sustained multiple lacerations. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 250,000.
Car was T-boned on driver side, then propelled into a tree and sideswiped a parked car. Airbags did not deploy. Hood was slightly buckled, driver side was damaged from front to behind rear door. Passenger side was damaged from front headlight/bumper area to rear door.
As I was driving along and approached my exit, the steering wheel locked up and would not allow me to control the car. I was able to stop the car safely hitting some brush on the side of the road. No damage or injuries were incurred, but this was very frightening! now, the steering is still getting stuck on turns and I have no horn! the airbag light is now showing and I don't know whats going on with this car! something needs to be done. No warnings, or recalls have been made, and there a many concerns of others going through the same issue with this car. Please advise on what is going to be done about this problem before someone gets killed!
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated that upon starting the engine, both the driver and passenger side air bags deployed. The dealer stated that diagnostic testing to assess the failure could be done at the owners expense. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance due to the age of the vehicle. There were no repairs made to the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000 and the current mileage was 90,000. Updated 05/13/10.
The consumers vehicle was hit on the front right side yet the air bags did not deploy. The seat belt also failed to properly restrained the driver and as a result the driver was thrown into the passenger seat. The consumer sustained injuries to the face, right shoulder, side and eyes. The vehicle was a total loss.
- Shannon, NC, USA
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While traveling 25-30 mph, another vehicle pulled out in front of the consumer resulting in a frontal collision in which neither air bag deployed, both the driver and passenger sustained injuries.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fayettville, GA, USA