NHTSA Complaint #10259823 — 2002 DODGE INTREPID

I OWN A 2002 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 2.7L ENGINE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 45,850 ORIGINAL MILES.AT TIMES IT WILL MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE THAT WILL EVENTUALLY GO AWAY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE 2.7L HAS A PROBLEM WITH SLUDGE BUILDUP CAUSING VITAL INTERNAL ENGINE PARTS NOT TO BECOME LUBRICATED. I HAVE MY OIL CHANGED EVERY 1500 TO 3000 MILES AND HAVE ONLY DRIVEN IT 23,000 MILES SINCE BUYING IT IN 2006 I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS , BUT MOST MECHANICS REFUSE TO WORK ON IT BECAUSE OF THE SO CALLED SLUDGE PROBLEM AND THE HIGH COST OF THE REPAIRS. SOME SUGGESTED USING FULL SYNTHETIC OIL TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM. OTHERS HAVE STATED THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE COMPLETELY. I HAVE ALSO QUESTIONED CHRYSLER AS TO ANY RECALLS FOR THE 2.7L INTREPID BUT NO ANSWER. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ACROSS NORTH AMERICA. IF CHRYSLER KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES, THEY SHOULD HAVE INFORMED US THE CONSUMERS AND TAKEN ACTIONS TO CORRECT IT. I THINK THEY DECIDED TO KEEP THEIR MOUTH SHUT AND FLOOD OUR COUNTRY WITH A WORTHLESS PRODUCT. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS DEFECT. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL CUSTOMER OF DODGE FOR MANY YEARS BUT IS FADING FAST WHEN IT COMES TO AMERICAN MADE VEHICLES. *TR