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 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,875 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. Oil light began flashing. Checked the oil it was full. About 2 days later a light ticking noise occurred. On 2/16/2007, I started the vehicle and ticking noise, turned into knocking noise. Mechanic stated that the car experience an oil failure and through a rod in the engine. $4,500 to fix.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 74 mph with the cruise control feature activated, smoke appeared out of the back of the tail pipe. The contact pulled off the road, opened the hood, and found the oil dipstick to be dark brown in color. The dealer stated that the engine was blown and needed to be replaced. The vehicle is currently under an extended warranty; however, the manufacturer stated that there was no guarantee that it would be used for this sort of failure. The failure and current mileages were 84,000.
: the contact stated while driving 70 mph, the vehicle would not accelerate with the accelerator pedal depressed. The vehicle began to decelerate on its own and was pulled over. There was a loud pop from the engine. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where it was determined the main head gasket blew and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, which agreed with the determination of the repair shop. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop and a used engine with 35,000 miles on it was installed.
54,000 mi. Changed regularly at a local chevron station. Sudden engine failure: Water pump & oil pump went out and head gasket blew. Repair cost (estimate/quote): $4,850 - $5,000.
- Frankfort, KY, USA
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- Tacoma, WA, USA