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.
6.0
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
42,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
paid to have the rust repaired and repainted (1 reports)
My car was a 1999. I noticed in 2005 that the paint was starting to bubble on the front tip of my hood right near the grill. Then rust started to come through. I have since sold this car, however I have since noticed many others of the same car (Dodge Stratus) and also the Chrysler version which is the Cirrus that look to be the same year as mine with rust in the same exact place! It leads me to think there was a quality problem on the assembly line when these cars were made. Anyone else experiencing this?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My car was a 1999. I noticed in 2005 that the paint was starting to bubble on the front tip of my hood right near the grill. Then rust started to come through. I have since sold this car, however I have since noticed many others of the same car (Dodge Stratus) and also the Chrysler version which is the Cirrus that look to be the same year as mine with rust in the same exact place! It leads me to think there was a quality problem on the assembly line when these cars were made. Anyone else experiencing this?
- erikabg, Newton, MA, US