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.
2.9
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,000 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.
At any given time, one of my three brake lights is not working. There does not seem to be any reason as the same light that was previously not working will work while a different one will be out without any work being done on the car to try to remedy the problem. Some times, only one light is working or none of them are working. This is an ongoing problem. In addition, the transmission leaks fluid on a regular basis. I have had my personal mechanic to refill the transmission at least twice after less than 3,000 miles and had hoses checked to make sure there were no apparent leaks. None were found. The last time the transmission was filled was at the end of may and it is jerking really hard again after it was refilled less than two months ago. That does not appear normal to me.
- Topeka, KS, USA
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- Topeka, KS, USA