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.
My mom bought this car new in 2000 as a retirement present for herself. Now with 28,000 miles on the car the transmission will not shift out of first and over revs. I am now attempting to find the fix for this.This is the second major malfunction since new and the first being with 11,000 miles and was not covered by the dealer because it happened after warranty time had expired. My folks are elderly and I try to keep their cars maintained and repaired.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My mom bought this car new in 2000 as a retirement present for herself. Now with 28,000 miles on the car the transmission will not shift out of first and over revs. I am now attempting to find the fix for this.This is the second major malfunction since new and the first being with 11,000 miles and was not covered by the dealer because it happened after warranty time had expired. My folks are elderly and I try to keep their cars maintained and repaired.
- timray, Barnardsville, NC, US