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:
63,194 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.

2002 Dodge Intrepid transmission problems

transmission problem

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2002 Dodge Intrepid Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #42

Apr 202011

Intrepid

  • 146,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. The contact was driving approximately 65 mph when he observed smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was pulled over and towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was told that the inner core of the transmission was leaking transmission fluid. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 146,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Ames, IA, USA

problem #41

Feb 172011

Intrepid

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph the check engine light came on and the transmission started slipping. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact did not call the manufacturer. The contact noticed several complaints regarding the transmission for the same year, make and model and was concerned that there was no recall. The failure mileage was 79,000.

- Clinton, MD, USA

problem #40

Aug 232010

Intrepid

  • 123,000 miles
I own a 2002 Dodge Intrepid it has approx. 125,000 miles on it just got out of the shop 300 for transmission and it is not fixed it started to rain really hard mid June 10 since then car goes into what I know now as limp mode it goes into second gear and wont come out unless you pull over turn off and restart was fixing to call actual Dodge place then read on the internet of all the problems that are being had with these transmissions and engines as well. My car has started over heating. No warning has fluids. For 300 had everything services with fluids etc and an additive put in and told don't know how to replace transmission then I read person after person saying they are replacing the transmission over and over again and it is quitting in the middle of the road or continues to do what mine does. I am afraid I am going to get hit I was almost hit about a week ago by a diesel because it went to about 43 then jerked and went into second gear diesel right on my tail furious because I had to slow down RPM went up to 4 afraid going to blow the motor up no shoulder due to construction was trying to get out of the way before he slammed into me it is scary when it jerks I am afraid at some point I wont be able to get out of the way or I will be in a bad area and have to shut it off and it will lock up like so many others have. So now I don't know what to do with the car.

- Cherry Valley, AR, USA

problem #39

Mar 172010

Intrepid

  • 82,714 miles

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

My car's transmission became disengaged from the third or fourth gear and dropped down to second gear while I was on the freeway. The RPM gauge went up to 5000 rpms before I let off the gas realizing the car would not shift. With oncoming traffic behind me and my car preferring to be in 2nd gear, I was at risk of being rear-ended. Researching the problem revealed that it was a transmission speed sensor that had failed and further investigation into online forums for problems with the make and model revealed that others had similar issues in the past with their vehicles.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #38

Nov 242009

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2002 Dodge Intrepid. Consumer states when stopping the vehicle, it made a clunk sound and the transmission light came on. The consumer stated almost from the time she purchased the vehicle, she had problems with the transmission sensors. As soon as she drove over 45 mph, the sensor light illuminated and the engine would rev between 2500-300 rpms. It would stay in that position until the she pulled over and turned off the engine and re-started it. The sensors were replaced, however one week later, the problem resurfaced.

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #37

Aug 212009

Intrepid

  • 118,000 miles
Engine just died. Estimates to replace/repair start at $4500, just for the engine, not including labor! I have already had the 2nd rebuilt transmission put in about 3 months ago.

- Pearisburg, VA, USA

problem #36

Jul 112009

Intrepid

  • 65,000 miles

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

The Intrepid has had to serviced about every 3 months. First it was the engine light came on due to the 02 sensor going out. Then it was the fan that belt broke on the car. Then it was the tires the would wear the tread really easily. Then it was the passenger door handle it broke on the inside. The it was the transmission that started skipping gears then it would make the RPM's go up. Now the whole transmission has gone out. We have only had this car for two years and we have taken good care of it.

- Maysville, AR, USA

problem #35

Apr 012009

Intrepid

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 10 mph, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle shook and downshifted into third gear. The mechanic could not remedy the issue. The contact feels that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. The current and failure mileages were 74,000.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #34

Sep 092005

Intrepid

  • 57,000 miles
Trans failed @ 57,000 mis. 2002 Dodge Intrepid had 60,000 mi warranty so it cost me $500 deductible to have it fixed. Car now has 130,000 mis & has been ok since.

- Langhorne, PA, USA

problem #33

Feb 112009

Intrepid

  • 55,350 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. The contact stated that the transmission failed in the vehicle. The manufacturer would not assist because there were no recalls available; however, she was able to locate quite a few complaints pertaining to her vehicle on the NHTSA web site. The current and failure mileages were less than 55,350.

- Luisville, KY, USA

problem #32

Jun 112008

Intrepid

  • 61,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. While driving 35 mph, the contact experienced issues with his vehicle and took it to an auto repair shop. The crank, fuel, and oil sensors were replaced. The same day, the engine failed. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the engine was clean and found no failures, other than the bearing. Recently, the vehicle was taken to the dealer to install an idler and the transmission failed. The estimated repair cost for the transmission was $3,300. The extended warranty would not cover the repair costs. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 85,000 and failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

- Hummerstown, PA, USA

problem #31

Aug 282006

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
I purchased a 2002 Dodge Intrepid 2.7 liter engine from Honda cars of mckinney in may of 2005 for $7000 and felt very happy about my purchase until a about a year and half later, the engine begin leaking oil. I followed the normal maintenance schedule and had the oil changed every 3000 miles. I took my Dodge to allen samuels of fort worth, Texas and they "fixed" my oil leak problem for $893 but was never told about the 2.7 engine design problems which cause major oil sludge problems. After about 2 months, the engine light came on again. I took the vehicle back to the dealership and they ran another check and found that there was no oil leak (engine burns oil now) but there was a "small" transmission leak. I was unable to get any further with the dealership without paying more money? since then, I've been unable to get my car inspected and have received a number of citations for expired inspection. I was even told by a policeman that I could check with the air Texas program for repair cost help. I sent in required documents and found out from christian brothers automotive that it would cost more the car is worth to fix. The state of Texas has given me a $3000 voucher to replace this pos Dodge. The problem now is that I'm unemployed and can't afford a car that qualifies for this benefit. I am in the process of sending a complaint to robert nardelli with Chrysler but I saw this link and thought I would get the word out. The dealership and/or Chrysler owe me the cost of the "oil leak" repair, cost to either replace engine/trans and the expenses to try and get it inspected.

- Trophy Club , TX, USA

problem #30

Feb 012008

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,100 miles
Transmission failure, and shifter not correctly working.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #29

Sep 152007

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. When purchasing the vehicle, the dealer would not allow the contact to inspect its undercarriage. Afterwards, the contact had the vehicle inspected and a mechanic informed him that all of the mcpherson struts, the windshield wiper switch, the brakes, and all four rotors needed to be replaced. He further stated that there was excessive fluid in the transmission, which caused the vehicle to shift hard and drive roughly. The failure mileage was 54,000 and current mileage was 73,000. Updated 03-27-08 the brake lights stayed on when the vehicle was shut off. There was a problem with the wiring for the parking lights and headlights. Updated

- Elmira, NY, USA

problem #28

Jun 102007

Intrepid 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles
We have had so many problems with our Dodge Intrepid leading up to the failure of the engine. First, the engine starting stalling, we would have to restart the car and it wouldn't shift from one gear to another. Then there was a leak in the coolant pipe so we had to replace that. My boyfriend then drove the car for few hours straight to go visit his family. He couldn't get the car started to come home. Finally he got it started and started driving home. It died on the way home and hasn't been running since. We have been without a car because it costs so much to get it repaired and we can't sell it because we would hardly get anything for it.

- Cedar, MI, USA

problem #27

Aug 022007

Intrepid

  • miles
At 60K miles I had to have a brand new transmission put in, and just 1 week ago I took it into the dealership and they say I need a new engine! it only has 84K miles on it. I don't even owe as much as it will cost me to fix the car, I am very upset. I have taken good care of my car, and to have so major problems with a new car is very disappointing.

- Rocklin, CA, USA

problem #26

Jul 132007

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,153 miles
2002 Dodge Intrepid. 2.7L motor, with a 42le automatic transmission. With only 84000 miles on the odometer, and being driven quite moderately by my wife, this transmission failed, costing me $1714 in repairs. This was my first, and only Chrysler vehicle purchase. I have had Ford and GM products that have gone well over 100000 with never a transmission problem.

- Ferndale, MI, USA

problem #25

May 102007

Intrepid 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. While traveling 35 mph, the contact felt the vehicle begin to hesitate. In addition, the vehicle's engine light remains illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the base light computer systems needs to be replaced. According to the owner's manual, the failure is due to the transmission. The VIN, engine size, and # of cylinders were unknown. The current mileage is 46 and the failure mileage was unknown.

- Hebron, OH, USA

problem #24

Mar 152007

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles
Transmission failure 2002 Dodge Intrepid.

- Elkader, IA, USA

problem #23

Feb 212007

Intrepid 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,711 miles
Car was making noise then 2 days later, it wouldnt start, had it towed, discovered a broken timing chain, dealer needed to reploace the engine due to the damage, and it cost $5,944. Now the transmission needed replacing as well.

- Stafford Springs, CT, USA

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