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.
5.0
fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,000 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.
Lower ball joint/ control arm defective. No extenuating circumstances or unusual wear on the vehicle to precipitate this problem. The same defective part was seen on other 2000 Dodge Stratus vehicles with applicable recalls. My vehicle has the same problem but based on my VIN number the recall does not yet apply. The problem has been diagnosed at steve white Dodge dealership in newton, nc. The parts are still in place on my vehicle at this point.
Front passenger tie rod on 2000 Dodge keeps breaking. Have replaced tie rod 4 times, but 2 separate mechanics are telling us that the only reason that tie rods would break repeatedly is because of a defective ball joint. Tie rod has snapped next to ball joint every time. It is already cracked and about to break again. It has resulted in several near accidents for us and once being stranded at a gas station an hour from home. The last time it broke was November 2009. The ball joint is the original that came on the car.
- Springfield, OH, USA
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- Hickory, NC, USA