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.
ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING & ALL OF THE SUDDEN, MY CAR LOST POWER, I PULL OVER & THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. IT WOULD SPUTTER LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS, THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE HIT THE GAS PETAL, THEN IT WORKS FINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SAYS OXYGEN SENSOR, BUT IVE GOT THAT FIXED & THE LIGHT IS STILL ON & THE CAR DOES THE SAME EXACT THING. WONT FIX. I HATE THIS CARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING & ALL OF THE SUDDEN, MY CAR LOST POWER, I PULL OVER & THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. IT WOULD SPUTTER LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS, THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE HIT THE GAS PETAL, THEN IT WORKS FINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SAYS OXYGEN SENSOR, BUT IVE GOT THAT FIXED & THE LIGHT IS STILL ON & THE CAR DOES THE SAME EXACT THING. WONT FIX. I HATE THIS CARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
- deannag, Clarksville, TN, US