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 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,375 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.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Stratus. The vehicle caught fire while parked in a parking lot. The vehicle was smoking approximately one month before the fire. The vehicle was destroyed and both a police and fire report were filed. The dealer stated that the smoke was due to power steering fluid entering the engine. There were two safety recalls on the vehicle: NHTSA campaign id number's 04V021000 (power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift), which was previously performed on the vehicle and 06V001000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections), which was scheduled to be repaired. The purchase date and powertrain were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 140,000.
Consumer letter regarding the safety recall for the transaxle floor shifter ignition / park interlock. The consumer has already sent in the necessary paperwork regarding a reimbursement.
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Stratus. The contact took vehicle to the dealership for service on September 13, 2005 for NHTSA recall 04V021000 repairs. Recall was corrected, however, they charged the contact for cylinder lock/ignition lock, new key, and recoded cylinder, which totaled $406. He called the dealership, and they told him that these repairs where not covered in the recall, and that they had to be done to do the recall repairs. Also, contacted the manufacturer, they told him that there was nothing they could do.
After driving short distances (under 15 miles) the park shift interlock does not engage. Ignition key will not turn all the way to the off position, can not be removed, and the shifter can move freely without depressing the shifter button. Shifter button becomes soft and does not lock. This can occur with or without engine running. This began happening after safety recall #04V021000 (power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift) was completed.
My wife took in our 1999 Dodge Stratus for recall work on the ignition park interlock. Shortly after that I noticed that the car would sometimes go into gear without putting your foot on the brake. I called the dealer who done the recall work, and they informed me that was not part of the recall. I then called the Dodge customer service line, and she told me that I would have to take the car to the dealer at my own expense. My question is, should this not be a safety recall Dodge should look into?
- Vesta, VA, USA
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NHTSA 04V021000 subject: Floor shift ignition park interlock. After having the load limiting push rod into the floor shifter replaced, the vehicle shift gears on it's own while driving 65 mph. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to the dealer for inspection. The cause has not been determined at this time.
Safety recall pertaining to the transaxle floor shifter ignition/park interlock. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer to have the recall work done. The vehicle was returned to the consumer and the consumer believed the vehicle was fixed until it began to perform poorly. The vehicle was returned tot he dealer the next day and after three hours the technician indicated that the problem could not be fixed until a part was ordered. The consumer contacted the manufacturer. The customer service rep indicated that the paperwork had already been submitted claiming that the recall was done. The consumer feel the dealer is shady. The consumer had to wait an addition 2 weeks for the part to arrive.
The consumer was able to remove the key from the ignition when the vehicle was not in park. There was a recall regarding the same issue. Recall#04V021000. The consumer stated the dealer was not cooperative.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Wilsonville, AL, USA