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.
9.3
really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,040
Average Mileage:
77,700 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
don't buy the Intrepid at all! (2 reports)
replaced the right side rack & pinion assembly (1 reports)
I was driving in a parking lot when the right tired turned side ways and would respond to the steering wheel. The repair shop said it was the passenger side rack & pinion assembly that fell apart. I felt fortunate that I was not traveling at a high speed when this happened. Six months ago, I had to rebuild the transmission, the month prior to that I had to have the water pump replaced, five months ago had to replace the EGR valve, the check engine light came on and stayed on, One year ago had to replace the full rack and pinion assembly. I have never heard of anyone having to replace the rack and pinion once, let alone twice in a car. I used to love my Intrepid, was a great car, I kept the service up on it but since it hit 90K, it seems to have fallen apart. I say trade your Intrepid in before the hit 90,000 miles because they turn into a piece of junk.
The rack & pinion steering went out in March 2005. The dealer said the tie rod was bent and the whole rack and pinion had to be replaced. I have never heard of this happening before. This is one of many problems that I have had with this vehicle since it hit 60,000 miles. The water pump, transmission, rack and pinion twice.....
Do not buy any Dodge or Chrysler vehicles! I had to replace the steering rack on my Intrepid w/ the 2.7L engine at 45K miles! I've never heard in my life such thing needing replacement, and if you own a Dodge, be ready for lots of things like that. My extended warranty covered only half of the cost! They had maximums for every little detail about the repair, and came up that it should cost about $350 to repair. It was $850!!! I told them to find a shop that would do it for $350, and they couldn't. They refused to pay for the alignment, which is required after changing the steering rack!
- nadia,
Overland Park, KS, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I was driving in a parking lot when the right tired turned side ways and would respond to the steering wheel. The repair shop said it was the passenger side rack & pinion assembly that fell apart. I felt fortunate that I was not traveling at a high speed when this happened. Six months ago, I had to rebuild the transmission, the month prior to that I had to have the water pump replaced, five months ago had to replace the EGR valve, the check engine light came on and stayed on, One year ago had to replace the full rack and pinion assembly. I have never heard of anyone having to replace the rack and pinion once, let alone twice in a car. I used to love my Intrepid, was a great car, I kept the service up on it but since it hit 90K, it seems to have fallen apart. I say trade your Intrepid in before the hit 90,000 miles because they turn into a piece of junk.
- Cathy S., Cypress, CA, US