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. Also the 2.4L engine doesn't have the oil sludge problem.
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 / 13
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,448 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.
Started car and lowered window (power). Minutes after I started to drive, the power mirrors on both sides began to move by themseves. Minutes later smoke started coming out of the driver side door panel. Minutes after that flames shot out of top of door panel. I pulled over and got out of car. The fire was put out by someone with a fire extinguisher. The body shop ewald Chrysler mayfair on mayfair road in wawatosa wi replaced the door. To my knowledge no fused had to be replaced. I don't know if parts are available.
- Muskego, WI, USA
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- Muskego, WI, USA