CarComplaints.com Notes: The Dodge Stratus, Intrepid & 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.
ITS REALLY ANNOYING TO HAVE THE HEAT/AIR ONLY WORK ON HIGH. WHEN I GOT THE CAR, THERE WAS A PIECE OF METAL WITH THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE, I GUESS THE PEOPLE BEFORE ME RIGGED IT. PROBABLY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THOUGH.
this problem is nerve wrecking no air on hot or rainy summer days and in the winter it is too hot if i turn the heat on anything but high my windows fog!
- Yvonne D.,
Akron, OH, US
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When this happened to me, it was in the winter. I live in Northern Canada so it got really annoying as I either had full heat so I was cooking or no heat so I was freezing. I also wear contacts so I couldn't have the heat going for too long, or they would dry up and I wouldn't be able to see.
I just got a dodge stratus 99' from a dealer in Brampton, He said the car was perfect, with NO problems. Me not knowing much about cars and needing one immediately we got a loan and bought it, knowing we have 1 year warranty and being told they would gladly pay for half for any problems not covered. After taking the car we realized the heat only works on level 4 and not only that, it only blows cold air!!! They tried to fix it, or so they say, that they put a new thermostat, did a complete flush and tried a new blower motor resistor. Still didn't work properly. they brought it to a garage and took the heater core out and cleaned it and said we needed a new one... Brought it to another garage and they said it was the blend door is broken. It's been three weeks and it still isn't fixed and the dealer refuses to pay half the money it will take to fix it. I would like to know what it cost to fix it and what the problem really is because I think they are full of sh*t!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
ITS REALLY ANNOYING TO HAVE THE HEAT/AIR ONLY WORK ON HIGH. WHEN I GOT THE CAR, THERE WAS A PIECE OF METAL WITH THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE, I GUESS THE PEOPLE BEFORE ME RIGGED IT. PROBABLY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THOUGH.
- deannag, Clarksville, TN, US