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.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR 2 MOS AGO. FIRST, THE POWER STEER PUMP WENT OUT, FIXED IT. THE HEATER/AC FAN ONLY RUNS ON HIGH. DIDN'T FIX IT. THE CAR VIBRATES, RUNS ROUGH. GAVE A TUNE-UP. STILL RUNS ROUGH. BUT NOW THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. NO ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM SO WE JUST DO THE LITTLE THINGS LIKE PUT A NEW FUEL RELAY, GAS FILTER. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. I REALLY NEED A CAR TO TRAVEL TO SCHOOL AND I DON'T WANT THIS CAR QUITTING ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. PLEASE HELP
The car ran perfectly fine until last fall. Now it drives like an old clunker! The problem is so much worse when the a/c is on that I only can run it until the car feels like it is going to just die and then I have to shut it off. Big pain!
I have already sunk around $2,000 in this car a few months ago to now have it messing up again. I was just getting ready to sell it before it totally breaks down on me. Then just as luck would have it, the damn thing starts with a new problem. I'm just trying to figure out what the problem is so I can fix it and get rid of this car. I swear I will never own another Dodge.
I expected this car to last longer than it did. At 116,000 miles, the brakes were leaking, transmission was slipping and the engine was needing replaced. The 3rd cylinder had "virtually" lost all compression according to my mechanic who was also the one who suggested "take it to the nearest auction. I wouldn't waste my money on an engine repair, rebuild or replacement." The "check engine" light was always on even though a reason could not be found. Maybe the new engine would have cured this? I am not a hard driver and take very good care of my vehicles routine maintenance. I now know too many people with prior bad Dodge experiences (including my husband's 1996 Dodge Dakota he's still trying to keep going) and will never have another Dodge in my lifetime!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I BOUGHT THIS CAR 2 MOS AGO. FIRST, THE POWER STEER PUMP WENT OUT, FIXED IT. THE HEATER/AC FAN ONLY RUNS ON HIGH. DIDN'T FIX IT. THE CAR VIBRATES, RUNS ROUGH. GAVE A TUNE-UP. STILL RUNS ROUGH. BUT NOW THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. NO ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM SO WE JUST DO THE LITTLE THINGS LIKE PUT A NEW FUEL RELAY, GAS FILTER. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. I REALLY NEED A CAR TO TRAVEL TO SCHOOL AND I DON'T WANT THIS CAR QUITTING ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. PLEASE HELP
- Konicha L., Elkhart, IN, US