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.
One day I decided run Whataburger to get lunch, decided to eat it there in the parking lot. Left the car and A/C running. Finished eating, put the car in gear, drove about 5 feet and KAPOW! something sounded like it blew up in the engine. Car was still running but steam and water was spewing, backed up in an empty space and called the wrecker. Some kind of valve had blown, took $600 and about 6 weeks to actually get it fixed because the mechanic thought it was one problem, but it was really a different problem! (Please note that my dates on the problems are estimated dates)
I was driving home from school, I was about to leave my friends neighborhood after dropping him off at home but I was stopped by a bus. I pulled my mp3 player out to connect it to my car stereo when I smelled a funny smell. I looked out the windshield and there was this white smoke/steam coming from everywhere. Underneath the car, around the hood, the front of the car, then it started coming in through the A/C vents. I jumped out at first thinking the car was on fire after putting it into park and shutting it off. After about a minute, in an attempt to allow it to cool off, popped the hood open and noticed water everywhere and the coolant tank where the antifreeze or water was completely empty. AAA was absolutely great after I finally got ahold of my parents since I didn't have my AAA card with me. I had to get towed to a service station near my house. Turns out the gasket that connects the hose from the coolant tank to the engine (or i think thats how the guy explained it) had like blown in half. I was especially excited about the $330 bill that came along with it but I kind of need my car so I had to suck it up. This was kinda a blow to me since I'm only 16 and even though I do work that is pretty much most of one paycheck which I would usually pay my car payment with. I was told however I was smart how I handled it, as I could have burned my engine up. Thankfully that didn't happen.
Other than that I love Dodge :]
- xericmbx,
Raleigh, NC, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
One day I decided run Whataburger to get lunch, decided to eat it there in the parking lot. Left the car and A/C running. Finished eating, put the car in gear, drove about 5 feet and KAPOW! something sounded like it blew up in the engine. Car was still running but steam and water was spewing, backed up in an empty space and called the wrecker. Some kind of valve had blown, took $600 and about 6 weeks to actually get it fixed because the mechanic thought it was one problem, but it was really a different problem! (Please note that my dates on the problems are estimated dates)
- Suzette T., Lufkin, TX, US