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.
8.9
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,070
Average Mileage:
108,350 miles
Total Complaints:
28 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
replace engine (11 reports)
not sure (7 reports)
dump the car (5 reports)
replace timing chain (3 reports)
fix rod bearings (1 reports)
replace the oil pan and cleaned out engine (1 reports)
I purchased a blown 2001 Dodge intrepid. the engine on this car was already blown I brought it for 1500 dollars because the car was in great physical shape I had some money in the bank to install another engine. I went to American engine Installation over at the Tampa location. they took the old engine out and installed a brand new one( so im told). 17 months later, by the way I kept up with the Oil Changes. the engine started to knock. my mechanic told me that he suspected that their might be a problem with the engine, of course im in denial.. I took the Car back to where they did the engine work. ( American Engine Installations), they tell me that the engine is shot. I need a new one. the rod was pushing up against the head. thats what they are telling me. anyway I need a new engine. my mechanic tells me that the timing chain is bad . however I do not like what i am reading on Autobeef. OH did i mention if i want the car fixed, I need to pay for the Labor of the new engine ($2000). as per contract. the point i am making here is that the complain is NOT against American Engine Installation, but against Chrysler for their crappy engines 2.7v v6 engines, HOW CAN A NEW ENGINE JUST NOT WORK ONE DAY??. Now I see why.
THEY SHOULD MAN UP OR WOMAN UP AND RECALL THE 2.7L V6 engines..
DON'T BUY THE DODGE INTREPID. JUST CAME FROM MECHANIC AND TOLD ME HE HAD ABOUT 3 IN HIS SHOP IN THE LAST MONTH AND A STEADY FLOW FOR A WHILE NOW. MATTER FACT SAID CANT KEEP ANY OF THE ENGINES IN BECAUSE THEY KEEP HAVING TO GO OUT TO FIX CARS. ALSO SINCE THE ENGINES ARE IN SUCH HIGH DEMAND SINCE THEY KEEP MESSING UP, YOU CAN EXPECT TO PAY TOP DOLLAR. SOUNDS GREAT HUGH. NOT SURE WHICH YEARS HAVE THE DEFECT BUT HEARD THIS WHOLE LINE SUX. I HAVE AN '01. GUESS THATS WHY THEY DID AWAY WITH THEM. IM PISSED JUST GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE AND NOW HAVE TO TAKE OUT ANOTHER LOAN. THANKS DODGE! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN CAR AGAIN. MY MECHANIC ALSO SAID MOST OF PARTS ARE MADE OVERSEAS ANYWAY. ME TRYING TO SUPPORT THE AMERICAN WORKER. F*&K DODGE! SHOULDA BOUGHT A HONDA OR SOMETHING AT LEAST I WOULDA GOT BETTER GAS MILEAGE. SO AGAIN DON'T DO IT TO YOURSELF SAVE YOURSELF THE HEADACHE. F*&K DODGE! OH YEAH HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.
Ok, my 2001 Intrepid, which I bought brand new, now has the engine knocking. No one around, except for the DODGE dealer wants to touch it. Frankly, I'm not sure its worth fixing. One guy says to replace the timing chain and the next says its junk and the only way to fix it is to replace the engine. What are we supposed to do?? I can't afford to replace the engine nor can I afford a car payment! And who the hell is going to buy my car, when the engine is junk??? Any advice?
Seven hours from home and the engine starts knocking. My wife and I were stranded
along I-71 heading North in Sunbury Ohio. We still owe $2,000.00 on the car and the garage is saying $4,000.00 to fix the problem. After reading the other complaint's
I'm afraid to invest any more money in this car. Thanks Daimler/Chrysler I will be
Bought the car in July, it is now end of October. Had 83000 miles on it when bought. I drove it over 2k miles in one weekend, mostly interstate and mountain driving. No problems at all! The past few weeks it begins this clicking noise, when idling. So I change the oil early, didn't stop. Then I began to hear it whenever it wasn't in overdrive. It was really bad when coming from a stop, or trying to pass!! I just sent it to the shop today, they asked me about how often I changed the oil, and such. i don't have another vehicle, so one of the shop guys brought me home. he told me that he has hear some pretty bad horror stories about the 2.7 liter engines. I haven't heard back from the shop yet, I've got an extended warranty. If they don't stand behind it, there will be court costs, because a college student working part-time at pizza hut, does not have an abundance of cash lying around to pay for a new engine.
- Justin L.,
Nashville, GA, US
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I just got my car back from the dealer again 3rd time this year for a knocking noise!! Well this time they told me they can't fix it cause it is not the timing chain anymore it is now the Pistons going out he said it would cost to much to fix and would be a waste of my time and his to fix he said trade it off or drive it till it dies or what ever but I am so tired of my Dodge I wish i could drive it off a CliFF. Everyone I know With any kind of dodge is getting rid of them cause they dont trust dodge if they wont admit to their problem then it is not worth anyones time to own a vehicle with the name dodge on it. My mother in law has the same car and she wont drive it out of town cause she is afraid the same will happen to her as it did to me.
I had the worst knocking sound out of my car it really sounded like a diesel truck!! Im like what the hell I just got the oil changed so I talked to 3 other people and said that the oil filter may be out of wack well it was not the first little shop that found out it was not that said it is the timing stuff and cant fix it there was one in the lot already and they cant do it. The next place fixed it for about $1300 which was nice but ok no big deal YEAH RIGHT. A month later I was in again thank God I whent to the dealership I did cause the second time they fixed it for free. But the weird thing is they had another one in but it was a lost cause cause the plastic piece that was giving me grief broke on them and took out the engine. The big thing is that is 3 of the same car in a town of 6,000 people with the same problem. What is wrong with this picture!!
The car was bought in 2002 at Paramus Dodge dealer in NJ, with 25,000 miles. Problem started with a knocking noise that grew worse during the course of 21/2 years. Was seen numerous times at the dealirship and was informed the noise was normal, then in November 2005 there was a loud bang from engine while crusing down a highway. Car was towed to my home were it has been parked for almost 2 years until it was towed to my mechanic shop were he gave me the "good news", price to "fix" the engine is over 2,500.00. By the way, I already have a law suit against Chrysler and the incompetent dealership, because they knew about the problem did nothing to help resolve the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I purchased a blown 2001 Dodge intrepid. the engine on this car was already blown I brought it for 1500 dollars because the car was in great physical shape I had some money in the bank to install another engine. I went to American engine Installation over at the Tampa location. they took the old engine out and installed a brand new one( so im told). 17 months later, by the way I kept up with the Oil Changes. the engine started to knock. my mechanic told me that he suspected that their might be a problem with the engine, of course im in denial.. I took the Car back to where they did the engine work. ( American Engine Installations), they tell me that the engine is shot. I need a new one. the rod was pushing up against the head. thats what they are telling me. anyway I need a new engine. my mechanic tells me that the timing chain is bad . however I do not like what i am reading on Autobeef. OH did i mention if i want the car fixed, I need to pay for the Labor of the new engine ($2000). as per contract. the point i am making here is that the complain is NOT against American Engine Installation, but against Chrysler for their crappy engines 2.7v v6 engines, HOW CAN A NEW ENGINE JUST NOT WORK ONE DAY??. Now I see why.
THEY SHOULD MAN UP OR WOMAN UP AND RECALL THE 2.7L V6 engines..
its the right thing to do...
- Nelson I., Riverview, FL, US