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.
2.7
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,333 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.
The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that the door panel fractured without warning and the front driver seat controls failed to adjust the seat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the driver seat and the front driver side panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.
01V005002/seat mounting bolts. Driver's side seat moves when braking. Consumer took the vehicle to dealer, and contacted the manufacturer, who was telling consumer that the vehicle described was not part of the recall. Also vehicle is experiencing stiff steering. When turning left, driver can feel a rubbing noise through the steering wheel. This can only be felt when the driver is making a left turn.
This car, along with other 2001 Stratus coupes, has an angle to the driver's seat and the steering wheel that forces one to sit a few degrees off perpendicular to the direction of travel. The driver, if sitting straight on the seat and in the middle of it is turned toward the center of the car a few degrees. This is extremely disorienting. It is in my opinion a hazard because I am continuously forced to try to adjust my position on the seat in order to feel as if I am going down the road forward.
- Farwell, MN, USA
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- Chesapeake, VA, USA