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 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,000 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.
My car was a Dodge Stratus SE 2000, 2.4 cylinder. On Feb.13th when pulling out from my garage I notice leakage on the ground from the car. I opened the hood and notice oil on top of the steering wheel hydraulic box. First thing in the morning I decided to have it checked out. When driving towards the body shop place the car started with fumes under the hood. 10 minutes later car was caught up on fire. I was able to get out of the car immediately and called the fire department. Extremely dangerous situation being that 15 minutes prior to this incident I dropped off my kids at school. The car was burned in a matter of minutes. I reported to my insurance but believe that the company who built this car should be responsible and should consider how dangerous this situation is. The car has given me no problems for the last 5 years. I lost my car which I paid almost $22,000. Insurance will recognize value from blue book. Considering that I paid up the car two years ago I have lost $13,000. My car is a total loss.
- Tallahassee, FL, USA
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- Tallahassee, FL, USA