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.
My car was running great, no problems. It shook a little bit on the highway at higher speed because I need to get an alignment, but thats it. Than one day the brake light came on. About 2 days after that I was driving and my brake pedal went all the way to the floor to brake. It brakes very slowly and has wont brake fast. The other day I noticed smoke coming from the front brakes.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My car was running great, no problems. It shook a little bit on the highway at higher speed because I need to get an alignment, but thats it. Than one day the brake light came on. About 2 days after that I was driving and my brake pedal went all the way to the floor to brake. It brakes very slowly and has wont brake fast. The other day I noticed smoke coming from the front brakes.
- Spencer P., Austin, TX, US