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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,194 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.
I got this next site to do again email. Claim #11301605 and following up as to your next step. 3 recalls the Dodge customer care people dont want to do or help me fix or conclude.
I bought a car in Jan 2020 which has been sitting a few/couple years and I found 3 recalls on it. 1999 Dodge Stratus 2.4. I emailed U S customer care/ Dodge customer care and got mail back stating yes on 3 recalls and a dealer in reno nv to call. I called and service and parts dept said yes on recalls. Bring it in to check and advise to fix. Got mutil mails from customer care stating they had car under last owner and I told them I was new owner. Next mail was, claim/S are closed. I asked why now 3 times and no answer except a take survey. No service or repairs have been done on this car other then to find out there was 3 recalls and now customer care doesnt want to do anything to fix this car. I dont understand how one day there is and the next day claim closed. The only difference is I am a new owner. One recall is for a fix power steering hose so car wont catch fire. I am have got nowhere with all my tries to get car recalls fixed. According to web sites the 3 recalls are listed as incomplete still to date. Meaning not taken care of to my understanding.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering column. The contact also indicated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to the diagnose the cause of the failures. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
While I was parallel parking my passenger saw heavy white smoke after I turned my steering wheel sharply. My steering wheel locked also. My passenger and I got out of the car and called 911. I believe I turned the ignition off before getting out. The smoke started on the front passenger side and flames were seen under the front of the car. The fire department came and put out the fire. Everything under the hood was burned and the car was a total loss. Afterwards the car (interior and exterior) smelled like burnt power steering fluid. I filed a claim with my insurance company.
- Portsmouth, VA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Stratus. While driving approximately 5 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. Approximately 30 minutes later, while coming to a complete stop, the contact noticed that her vehicle was on fire. All the passengers exited the vehicle without injuries. The entire front end of the vehicle was completely destroyed. Both a fire and a police report were filed. The dealer stated that the fire may have been due to a recall and would forward the information to the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that the fire was not due to NHTSA campaign id number 06V001000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections). The contact later entered her VIN into the Dodge website and discovered that her VIN was included in the recall. The current and failure mileages were 95,000.
Fire under hood due to leaking power steering fluid hose, received recall notice in mail weeks after incident. Was fire department dispatched. Sold car to tow company for $150 on October 9. reported this to Chrysler dealership to try get money we paid for car. But they could not locate car to do inspection. We have several pics of car after it burned. Recall state that the defect in power steering hose was leaking on motor and igniting causing an under the hood fire.
Car has not been on the road for over a year and 1/2 non-op. Realized power steering failed. Replaced power steering pump. Realized there was a recall on the power steering hose. Took to dealership. There they noticed there was fire damaged. Now Chrysler is saying they are not responsible for fire damage because it was not replaced sooner. As I stated they car has not run for over 1 1/2 years. The dealership will not replace hose without authorization from Chrysler. We will be responsible for fire damage but you should still replace hose. It was a recall.
- the contact owns a 1999 Dodge Stratus. The steering wheel was difficult to steer. The dealer didn'thave the equipment to repair the failure and after calling another dealer, she was advised that the parts have not been available since August 2006. Updated 02/22/07.
: the contact stated while stopped at a red light, the engine stalled without warning, and would not restart. The vehicle was pushed to a nearby independent repair shop, who determined the fuel pump needed to be replaced. Afterwards, a strong smell of gasoline was present inside the vehicle. There was a NHTSA recall, # 06E088000, regarding the fuel system. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Additionally, while applying brake pressure at various speeds, there was an increased stopping distance. The vehicle was inspected by an independent repair shop, who determined the master cylinder needed to be replaced, but after the replacement, the problem persisted. There was a NHTSA recall, # 99V244000, regarding the service brakes. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Also, while turning at various speeds, a squeaking noise came from the steering wheel. Although the steering noise persisted, the dealer was not alerted. There was a NHTSA recall, # 06V001000, regarding the steering. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The manufacturer was alerted.
Multiple failures, continually steering problems. Engine leaked oil, no A/C or heated, ect. The consumer stated that the steering wheel was loose. The consumer attempted to make a left turn and hit the curb due to the loose steering wheel. The consumer stated that there might be a problem with the right side axle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Reno, NV, USA