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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,274 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

problem #8

Aug 102016

Intrepid

  • 140,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the air bags warning light illuminated as well as the horn failed when depressed. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph the cruise control failed to engage as he had to increase his speed to avoid being rear-ended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that he researched the failure online and found NHTSA action number: PE03010 (vehicle speed control) and believes the failure was related. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.

- Pittsburg, KS, USA

problem #7

Mar 012013

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • miles
Air bag light came on, then no cruise control, no horn, air bag light stays on. Was told that there might be a recall on this particular vehicle. Called dealership in bloomington, in. And was told that they didn't know and that they don't handle recalls.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #6

Nov 022006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle accelerated on its own to a higher speed, causing the vehicle to lose control. The contact was unsure of the speeds before and after acceleration, but this caused the engine and transmission to die. The contact was able to prevent the vehicle from being involved in an accident. The service dealer determined the vehicle needed a new engine and transmission and were unaware of what could have caused this.

- Harrison Township, MI, USA

problem #5

Jun 242006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,190 miles

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

Vehicle speed control after turning a corner and beginning to accelerate, vehicle's throttle stuck. Throttle needed to be manually reset. No apparent damage to cable; reason why unknown.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #4

Oct 042005

Intrepid

  • miles
My car was parked and the ignition was off. I started the car, placed it in gear and it "bolted" forward at a high speed. I was parked facing a guard rail in a shopping center and the car lurched forward and smashed into the guard rail. Unable to be driven, the car was towed to a body shop for extensive repairs. I don't have the repair estimate as of this date. Car is currently being repaired.

- Haverford, PA, USA

problem #3

Aug 012005

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
My 2001 Dodge Intrepid SE has a problem with sudden acceleration. I bought this car in 2001. I am the second owner. This problem occurs only when the air conditioning is turned on. This problem is especially harrowing at times when the car should be decelerating - I.e. when approaching a stop light or pulling into the garage. During normal operation of the engine at these times, RPM's usually range from 750 to 1100 RPM depending on speed of the car. During a "problem" period as one begins the process of deceleration, the engine RPM's will jump up to 2200 - 2500 RPM thus causing unusual use of the brake pedal to compensate for the sudden acceleration. I have also found that the electronic transmission will begin to "gear-down" as though my braking is interpreted as climbing a hill or passing another car. Consequently, I will put the car in neutral and let the engine race up and down until it settles at an even RPM. I quit using air conditioning for several weeks until I was able to get the car in to the dealership. The 2001 Dodge Intrepid SE has been taken to the local Dodge dealership. The Dodge dealership determined that the "brain" of the car needed to be replaced (one month ago). Now the car has begun to have the same problem again. I have found another consumer problem report similar to mine on mycarstats.com.

- Johnson City, TN, USA

problem #2

Feb 262003

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles
The brake pedal broke and fell onto the accelerator pedal. While exiting parking lot, vehicle accelerated to 60 mph hitting an object. Dealership repurchased vehicle.

- Archbald, PA, USA

problem #1

Oct 012000

Intrepid

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle will accelerate suddenly. Consumer has not taken vehicle to dealership to determine a cause for this defect. The dealer could not determine the cause of the acceleration. The consumer was unable to stop the vehicle accelerating on its own and ended up in an accident.

- Dallas, TX, USA

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