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.
7.0
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$250
Average Mileage:
95,000 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
replace at mechanic (1 reports)
roll down window & use outside handle to exit (1 reports)
The cheap plastic on the interior driver's door handle cracked causing the handle to be scewed while opening. I tried to be gentle with it so it would last as long as possible, but after about a month of opening it off center, something finally slipped off from inside. The window motor was also defective so I opted to have both of them replaced by a mechanic for a bill of $250! for parts and labor.
I got into the car went the gas station all was fine and dandy, then I went to the post office i tried to exit the same way as normal. I attempted to use the inside handle but the door did not open. At first I thought maybe I just didn't use the handle properly. With a second attempt I still couldn't exit. So I slid to the passenger door to exit. From that point on I have had to roll the drivers window down pull the outside handle just to exit the car.
- Ivory W.,
Eagan, MN, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The cheap plastic on the interior driver's door handle cracked causing the handle to be scewed while opening. I tried to be gentle with it so it would last as long as possible, but after about a month of opening it off center, something finally slipped off from inside. The window motor was also defective so I opted to have both of them replaced by a mechanic for a bill of $250! for parts and labor.
- Jason M., Starke, FL, US