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 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,135 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.
Upon coming off the interstate and making a right turn onto the highway vehicle stalled due to slug build up in the engine. Also, timing chain broke. Police officer had to direct traffic until tow truck arrived. There was no advance warning prior to failure.
2001 Dodge Intrepid with 48,000 miles has blown engine (2.7L) due to "sludge build up in engine." Oil changed at 46,496 miles. Dealer states lack of oil changes caused engine to blow. Estimated cost to repair, $4,000.
Email fm jeannette fox (tx) request assistance in getting Chrysler to honor the extended warranty for her son's 2001 Dodge Intrepid, the engine blew due to engine sludge. The engine blew out while driving.
The oil light illuminated due to low oil pressure while idling. This caused the timing chain belt to break/valve cover gaskets to rip, and engine to seize up. Engine must be replaced.
While driving 35 mph and without any warning the vehicle made knocking noises from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the engine had sludge in the engine. The vehicle had an extended warranty but the dealer refused coverage for the sludge problem. The engine needed to be replaced. The power steering pump leaked which caused noise when the steering wheel was turned.
While driving 55 mph, the vehicle shut off. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, who had not informed the consumer of the cause of failure. The failure was the result of sludge build up in the engine despite having frequent oil changes according to the owner's manual guidelines.
2001 Chrysler Intrepid with 2.7 engine. We were driving at 35 mph in a residential area, when the engine seemed to hesitate briefly, and then blew up. 31,400 miles on the engine, oil changed every 3000 miles. It has been sitting in the dealers lot for 1 week now, and no response from the dealer.
Engine failure.62K miles. 2.7 motor. Seems dealer felt sludge build up caused plugging of hydraulic timing chain tensioner. Oil changes done frequently(before manual req). Cost to reapir $8750. Dealer does not sell short/long blocks. Dealer believed to have changed design part & # due to small oil port hole. No satisfaction at dealer or Chrysler. Numerous complaints found on line for this condition-enter Chrysler 2.7 engine problems for search. Class action law suit sign up on line as well. Failure cuses engine to quit-obviously>resultant loss of power and steering/braking.
Complete engine failure on a 2001 2.7L Intrepid. At 41,000 miles, dealer advised that loud clicking noise in engine was not a problem. 4 weeks later, engine threw a connecting rod bearing. Estimated cost by dealer to fix: $9,868.62. I bought the car brand new and still have 2 1/2 years to pay. Dealer claims "black sludge in oil". what a bunch of B.S.
My engine just siddenly died on me with no notice. I have only owned the vechile for one year and have a five year obligation.there was no notice of failure just failed as I was driving.
The engine system light appeared on the dashboard, and the engine jerked. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic, who stated the oil pump blew out, therefore the engine died. Dealer stated since consumer didn't purchase an extended warranty, they weren't going to cover a new engine.. also the air condition made a strange noise.
Engine failure due to sludge build up in 2001 Dodge Intrepid -36,700 miles on car- bought used with 27,600 miles on it from fairbanks Dodge. Had to replace engine- bought engine from jasper as they are only place with a warranty. Dealer would replace with used engine- 90 day only - jasper 75,000 miles. Daimler -Chrysler denies all responsibility see site Intrepid-clan-510.com for reason of failure and list of others with same problem.
Car would vibrate and sputter then the check engine light would come on at 50 mph. First time to the dealership - they put dry gas in the tank (Dec/2002) second time to the dealership - they put fuel injector cleaner in the tank (Jan./2003) third time to the dealership - they replaced the #4 fuel injector (Jan. 2003) fourth time to the delaership - they replaced the computer module (Feb./2003) fifth time to the dealership - did not fix, cleared the error codes.(Feb. 2003) dealership said that there would be a recal notice sent sometime in March/2003 something about a carbon build up in the cylinders. They told me to keep drivng it until the recall notice comes out, but the car still has the same problem. (engine only has 19,700 miles on it, under 18,500 when it first went in).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rensselaer, IN, USA