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:
1 / 10
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,805 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.

2001 Dodge Intrepid engine problems

engine problem

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2001 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments (Page 6 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #61

Aug 072005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The consumer was driving at about 30-35 mph when the engine shut down. When the consumer lifted the hood he could see smoke and a small fire coming from a piece of wire. The consumer was able to put out the fire with a towel. About a month before the check engine light came on, and the dealership said all they did was to turn the engine light off. After the engine had time to cool off he was able to drive vehicle home. This was on 8-7-05. On 8-8-05 took vehicle to the dealership and they told him that the water pump bursted. Also, they a told him that there was water and oil mixed in the engine. The dealer implied that the engine might have to be replaced. The consumer contacted the manufacturer, and they had him on hold while they talked to the dealership. She told him the same information that they did. The consumer found on the internet that there were problems with the 2.7 liter motor. The second dealership was the one that did the repairs.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #60

Jul 172005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles
I am a owner of a 2001 Dodge Intrepid SE. Last Sunday morning my wife got up to go to work, after which she was going to travel to Maine with our two boys. Because she was traveling I walked out with her and popped the hood to check all the fluids, coolant, oil ect.. eveything appeared to be normal. On her way up to Maine she broke down. While she was driving all of a sudden in a matter of less than 30 seconds the car started to vibrate and the car completly turned off. After losing power steering, breaking ability, she some how mange to turn the car off the highway. She states that nothing on her gages read abnormal. By the time the tow truck got there all the fluids were pouring out of the car and smoke seemed to be coming from everywhere even under the oil cap. The next day the Dodge service center called us and said the engine seized, blown head gasket, radiator was gone. It was going to cost us between 7,000.00-5,000.00 dollars. We have contacted chrylser but seem to get thr run-around. How can a 2001 automobile's engine ( with moderate mileage just ) fail with no warning"??" all of the gages read normal and we checked under the hood that morning, not to mention put my wife and children in danger

- Duxbury, MA, USA

problem #59

Jun 132005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
On June 13, 2005, my 2001 Dodge interpid 2.7 L engine failed on an interstate highway. The car would not start again. The car was towed to a local Dodge delaership where it was to be looked at. The mechanic supervisor informed me that there was sludge in the engine and that the engine would need to be replaced--costing several thousands of dollars. He told me that the delaership had replaced four or five 2.7L Dodge engines already. I was told that the 2.7L has lots of flaws and defects that I was not told of upon purchasing. I still owe money on the car and it is difficult to trade a vehicle in when it won't even start. Right now, I am out a vehicle as well as money.

- West Frankfort, IL, USA

problem #58

May 312005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The engine has blown.

- Bonita Springs, FL, USA

problem #57

Jun 042005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,350 miles
Consumer was driving 60-65 mph in 2001 Dodge Intrepid when he heard a noise like a hose bursting or breaking. Immediately looked at temperature gauge, and it went to hot. Consumer turned on the heater, and the vehicle temperature went back to normal. Consumer pulled off the road, and looked under the hood, and saw that was oil leaking. Consumer parked the vehicle at that point and there was a steady flow of oil, at some point it did stop. Consumer was having the vehicle towed.

- Saint John, IN, USA

problem #56

May 042005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles
Bought 2001 Intrepid with 53000 miles on it, I changed my own oil in it every 3000 miles, at 83000 miles I heard a slight rod knock, took it to dealer they said it needed a new engine, I have an extended Ford warranty but was not honored because they said it had an oil leak and the oil and filter reciepts and the credit card bills from Napa was not sufficient proof the oil had been changed.the car never leaked oil, they are using that as an excuse and it is there word against mine, meanwhile I have a 2001 Intrepid that they want me to pay for tearing it down, and I get my car back in peices or pay them twice as much and they will put it back the way it was. Or pay the 7000 dollars to put an engine in it when they said the whole car was only worth 4900

- Apache Jct, AZ, USA

problem #55

Apr 302005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought my 2001 Dodge Intrepid in April of 2001 and had problems with it. A year later, when the transmission failed. Fortunately. It was covered under an extended warranty, and my costs were minimal. I changed the oil and filter every 3000 miles, but now my oil check light began to come on when the car was at idle. I will bring my care to my mechanic on Monday, May 2, 2005 to have him investigated whether or no I have an oil sludge problem.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #54

Mar 142005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles
@ 44,000miles wnet to get oil change and place refuse to do because of sludge in engine. Took to another shop and had engine flushed. @ 56,000 miles engine began knocking and lost half it's power. Had towed to dealership. They called and said engine was seized up and needs replaced. Warranty company refused to cover even though I turned in all service reports for oil changes @ 3000 mile intervals since I bought new in 2001.

- Vail, AZ, USA

problem #53

Apr 042005

Intrepid

  • 64,000 miles
While driving at highway speed engine blew out. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Fairborn, OH, USA

problem #52

Jan 272005

Intrepid

  • 59,775 miles
While driving at highway speed vehicle stalled. Consumer pulled over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership informed the consumer of engine sludge. The problem was not resolved.

- Inkster, MI, USA

problem #51

Jan 202005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,533 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving at highway speeds vehicle overheated then stalled. Consumer pulled over and restarted the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #50

Mar 192005

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles
Consumer was driving and heard a noise coming from the engine. Consumer made it home, checked the oil, and found it was almost empty. What was left had a sludge build up. Consumer searched the internet to find the sludge build up complaints.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #49

Mar 212005

Intrepid

  • miles
I purchased the vehicle in March 2002. Right from the beginning I begin having oil and sludge problems. I have have the sensor replaced several times. Now I noticed a knocking in the engine. The dealership says I need a whole new engine.

- Cheltenham, MD, USA

problem #48

Jan 102005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
The vehicle was traveling at 70 mph when all of sudden the driver heard a loud noise and unexpectedly the engine cut off and failed. Manufacturer has been contacted by consumer.

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #47

Feb 222005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
Driver was pulling out of the parking garage and vehicle stalled. Driver was unable to restart vehicle, and had it towed to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to cam shaft and pistons blowing out.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #46

Aug 202003

Intrepid 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving the check engine light appeared on the dashboard. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic could not duplicate the problem. While driving 40 mph the vehicle stalled. Driver tried to restart the vehicle and was not able to do so. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be replaced.

- Berwick, PA, USA

problem #45

Nov 092004

Intrepid

  • 54,000 miles
While making a left hand turn engine seized up due to engine sludge. Consumer managed to pull over and restarted the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Carpentersville, IL, USA

problem #44

Feb 122005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
I was driving and saw the oil light flicker which I thought was strange as I had just had oil changed less than 1000 miles before. Then heard a rattling noise in the engine was close to a mechanic so I pulled in and he informed me that he had 5 of these engines with the exact same problem looked at my paperwork found that I had a 7 year 100000 mile warranty as I am only at 78000 had my car towed to a dealer.

- Dacula , GA, USA

problem #43

Jan 242005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle tends to stall unexpectedly while being driven at various speeds. Taken to dealer for checkup, but the cause is undetermined.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #42

Jan 152005

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles
My 2001 Dodge Intrepid at 70,000 miles is already showing sludge in the motor even though it has had regular maintenance. It is my understanding that the 2.7 engine has widely documented problems and that Chrysler is well aware of them. My mechanic explained to me that it is a matter of time before the engine "blows." There are no replacement engines and if I do fine one, it will obviously have the same problems. Going to a different engine requires changes in the computer etc. Many of us with this problem are going to or have already experienced severe financial stress because of this. (it is interesting to note that Chrysler has chosen to take care of the Mercedes customers!!!!!) of course the other problem is that the engine could blow at any time which is a dangerous time bomb to be considering. I would like to join any lawsuit. We deserve to be compensated for this.

- St. Marys, KS, USA

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