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.

3.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,720 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2000 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments

problem #14

Jun 102009

Stratus

  • 189,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2000 Dodge Stratus, had a leakage in the fuel line, in June 2009 and had it repaired, than transmission was going out, needed a new engine, car wouldn't go past 50mph without jerking and still was a gas-hogger, cost more to fix the car so had to have it salvaged couldn't afford the repairs, and my friend also had a Dodge Stratus same year and had the same problem I did and she also had to salvaged her car.

- Atwater, CA, USA

problem #13

Sep 092007

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,907 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Stratus. While driving 40 mph, the contact was notified that oil was leaking from her vehicle. She took the vehicle to the mechanic and he stated that there was a leak in the hose. When the mechanic took the transmission apart, he noticed that the case was cracked. The contact stated that this should not have happened to her vehicle. The current mileage was 36,915 and failure mileage was 36,907.

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #12

Jul 272007

Stratus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,000 miles
After an abrupt stop, the brake pedal went to the floor and braking ability was severely impaired. I went home immediately fearing for my safety. After an inspection under the vehicle, I noticed that a large amount of brake fluid in my driveway. Looking more closely I found the leak in the brake line. It appears that the parking brake cable had worn a spot on the left rear brake line. This combined with corrosion had caused the line to rupture. It looks as if the factory was concerned because there was a soft 3" piece of foam rubber tubing over the parking brake cable where it contacted the hydraulic line. This foam rubber may have actually contributed to the corrosion by trapping water between it and the steel brake line. Judging by the amount of rust stuck to the foam rubber I would say this is a fair assessment. Chrysler dealers and the main office offered no recourse. After experiencing all this and many other problems from a vehicle purchased new, I can say that I will never pay for another Chrysler vehicle again. If someone gives me one, I may consider the offer. P.S. other problems included: Oil pressure sending sensor, transmission speed sensors, front wheel bearing, radiator, lower control arm bushings, an unresolved pulling to the right not resolved after new tires and wheel alignment, etc.

- Fitchburg, WI, USA

problem #11

Sep 152004

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

: the contact stated the transmission failed while traveling 55 mph on the interstate. The vehicle was towed to the service dealer who determined that the transmission had been rebuilt in the past and was no longer under warranty. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for repairs.

- Coolidge, AZ, USA

problem #10

Jan 252005

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50 miles
I have my automobile routinely maintained, every 6-8 months, (oil, tune up, ...)oil sludge baking in engine block-cylinder at 50,000 and again 114000. Corrosion build up & gunk in cylinder block, coils & spark plug corrosion causing bad-strong order in automobile and sputtering, poor emission. Transmission slips from time to time at 25,000 and now again at 114000, with leaks which we can smell very strong in automobile. Excessive brake lockage while attempting to break in normal-average speed of 25 miles. Constantly having to have the breaks repair although I have life warranty on breaks. Repairer states its the automobile. Safety belt does not always latch properly and has unlatched all by itself while im driving with my son, (6 yrs old). Drivers belt also unlatches from time to time. While driving I notice the car tens to sway to the right. I have had this auto aligned as well as, routine tire rotation, balancing, ect, ...yet it still does this to date. Ball joints, struts wearing out at 25,000. I am tired of investing so much in this automobile. More than I really should have to. I also feel unsafe to drive this automobile. Should my automobile cause any sudden fire due to gunk in a hot running engine & transmission, I will file a law suit. As a consumer I feel that Chrysler should repair my auto and reimburse me for all I have paid simply so that my son and I can feel & be safe driving in this automobile.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #9

Jul 182003

Stratus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
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

problem #8

May 142003

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,129 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Auto transmission destroyed itself with only 45,000 miles on car.

- Parshall, ND, USA

problem #7

Jan 222003

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles
While driving 45mph the transmiission slipped causing the vehicle to lose acceleration. Please provide anyj additional information.

- Yorktown, VA, USA

problem #6

Jul 152001

Stratus

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
We have experienced problems with the transmission slipping out of gear, extremely hard down shift from 3 to 2, hunting for gears & hard shifting in general. Vehicle has been in 5 times for repair attempt. At last attemp we were told that the manufacturer is aware of the problem, does not know how to rememdy and to keep driving the vehicle. Additionally, we had to have the rotors replaced at 14,000 miles and are experiencing intermitent grinding as well as loud squealing from the back brakes daily. We have also had trouble with the power steering, hard starting in cold weather and a grinding noise when starting the vehicle.

- Canandaigua, NY, USA

problem #5

Jun 012000

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle hesitates when shifting, transmission jerks.took vehicle to dealer 11 times, could not remedy. Dealer stated Dodge knows there is problem, but does not know how to resolve it at this time.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #4

Mar 272001

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer was on a busy bridge when transmission started slipping, and it wouldn't kick into next gear. Odometer went down to zero. Vehicle couldn't go pass 15mph. Vehicle was at dealer being inspected.

- St Peterburg, FL, USA

problem #3

Oct 182000

Stratus

  • miles
Brake drums and rotors keep getting warped causing vibration, pulling and loss of pedal. Transmission erratic - drops out of gear at 45mph at least once a week.

- Bradford, MA, USA

problem #2

Feb 172000

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving on highway at speed at 45 mph transmission jumped out of gear into neutral, causing vehicle to lose power.

- Mitchell, MD, USA

problem #1

Nov 271999

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles
Auto makes loud whining noise at 30mph & above when pressing on the gas pedal...sound is suggestive of final drive gear shift problem...also when braking car frequently 'kicks'...told by welton motors representative who acknowledged the whining noise and 'kick' that these issues are typical in the Stratus & present no problem. Question...if it is typical then why didn't I experience these same problems in the 1995 status which I owned for 4 years prior to buying the Stratus 2000??

- Chittenango, NY, USA

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