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:
1 / 30
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,154 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.
2000 Dodge Stratus recall repairs were made by independent mechanic, dealer refused to reimburse for repairs. The manufacturer told the consumer they would only reimburse for the cost of the part.
I was driving down highway 2 headed East and I needed to pull over and get some gas. I noticed that my steering was making the sound that it makes when you might be low on fluid. I pulled into an armor station that was self serve pay at the pump only. The first one did not work so I started my car again and pulled up to the second pump. I noticed smoke was coming out from under my hood. I got out and it started to shoot out flames. I panicked as I was trying to get my 2 year old son out of the car. The doors auto lock when you take off and hit 10 mph. Two gentlemen came whipping in the station and helped me. His son called 911 and he got in my car to move it away from the pumps. He could only move it 5 feet because it was so hot in the car from the flames. The sheriff showed up and slammed into the back end of my car and moved it away from the pumps maybe 20 feet now. By the time the fire department showed up at least 5 minutes have past and my car is in major flames in the front end. The fire department put the flames out but my car could not be saved. The whole front end is damaged beyond repair. Electrical system and everything. Because of this fire my son and I were stranded in floodwood, mn about 1.5 hours from home. Luckily my brother- in- law lived in that town and we stayed there until someone could come and get us. It was a very traumatic day, trying to get my son out of the car and then watching as my car burned up and I could not save it. I believe that the power steering may have been the cause of the fire.
I own a 2000 Dodge Stratus and have that has a high pressure hose on the power steeering that is leaking. It is dripping onto the engine and causing smoke to come out from the engine compartment. I have contacted Dodge but even though other 2000 Dodge Stratus with a 2.4 engine have been recalled, but mine was not included per Dodge. I feel Dodge needs to reevaluate this recall before someone else is harmed from there neglect. This car is smoking and could catch on fire.
- Elkton, VA, USA
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I had a 2000 Dodge Stratus until today. Today, March 27th, 2005, my Stratus had a hydraulic line for the power steering rupture and caused my entire engine compartment to catch fire. Prior to the fire, I had observed power steering fluid on the line fitting and the leak fluid dropped onto the exhaust pipe below. I bought the replacement hose. However, the car caught fire before I got a chance to replace leaky power steering hose. I was wondering if this was something that had a recall, or what I might do to research this more and find out if somehow this is a defect, because I know someone that had the same issue, but caught it in time and had it repaired. Thank you for your time and reading this E-mail.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Orlando, FL, USA