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.
7.0
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$250
Average Mileage:
92,500 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (1 reports)
replaced alternator, but tried to tell me it wasn't covered (1 reports)
WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS MAKING A SOUND THAT EVERYONE INSISTED WAS THE ALTERNATOR, SO I BOUGHT A USED ONE, BUT WHEN THE SOUND WAS STILL THERE, I THOUGHT TO BUY A NEW ONE, ABOUT SIX MONTHS LATER, THE NEW ALTERNATOR WENT OUT. GOOD THING I HAD A LIFETIME WARRANTY FROM AUTOZONE. I HATE THIS CAR. NEVER GET A STRATUS, EVER.
alternator went in the first 15,000 miles. Yes, the mileage was low for this, but the car is 7 years old now and only has 38,000 miles on it. I think the mileage is low for the transmission problem it is now having, that is not covered under warranty. Last year it was the battery
- ree,
Fairless Hills, PA, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS MAKING A SOUND THAT EVERYONE INSISTED WAS THE ALTERNATOR, SO I BOUGHT A USED ONE, BUT WHEN THE SOUND WAS STILL THERE, I THOUGHT TO BUY A NEW ONE, ABOUT SIX MONTHS LATER, THE NEW ALTERNATOR WENT OUT. GOOD THING I HAD A LIFETIME WARRANTY FROM AUTOZONE. I HATE THIS CAR. NEVER GET A STRATUS, EVER.
- deannag, Clarksville, TN, US