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.
5.1
fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,560 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.
While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle but was unable to do so. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection and the mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The consumer stated the thermostat failed.
Car was serviced on 09/07/02. On 10/14/02, looked up to see temperature gauge in the "H" running hot. No warning, no dashboard light warning. Pulled to side of road, car cooled off drove home. Popped hood, coolant in reservoir and checked oil, oil in engine. Next day, 10/15/02, started car, started fine. Noticed the temp gauge was not moving off the "C" for cold, no heat coming from the heater started off to work. Was doing about 68, when car immediately started to decelerate and immediately the little "red genie looking oil lamp light" went on. Immediately pulled to side of road as car was obviously loosing power. Called for tow truck. Car was towed not to the selling dealership because of on-going service problems, but to another dealership. I authorized them to check the engine. They did a compression test and told me "blown head gasket." But they could not tell if any more significant damage was done without tearing down the engine. Car was towed two days later to selling dealership. Engine was torn down. Their response, "engine overheated" doing severe damage to engine. No mention of a head gasket being the cause of the engine overheating. Dealer offers to do nothing. It is now November 3, 2002 and I still have not been given any opinions or prices to repair this vehicle. Daimler Chrysler was notified. I received a call from the dealership and daimler Chrysler on behalf of the district manager who say "they will do nothing to assist; won't even come look at the car. I now have a 3-1/2 year old car that is undriveable. This is a car that has had its share of engine related problems in the past. In researching the internet, the NHTSA, the center for auto safety and just under Dodge defects, I note that the Stratus, cirrus and neons have a long, long history of head gasket problems.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Columbus, MS, USA