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.
2.6
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,761 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.
Clock-spring broke when I was backing out of a parking space and turning the steering wheel to the left. Now my air bag light stays on and everything electrical on the steering wheel does not work, this includes the horn, cruise control and the airbag. If this is not a safety issue deserving of a recall then what exactly is?
Purchased a used 2001 Dodge Stratus and about a week after purchasing it I was backing out of a parking space at the store when I heard a snap/pop sound from the steering column. Air bag light came on and now everytime I turn the wheel I can hear a popping or clicking sound. The irony is that I bought it because my 96 Dodge intrepid is having electrical issues which included the air bag light being on and affecting the electric windows and the heater/air conditioning blower so I have no heater nor defroster. I have always been a Chrysler/Dodge person and have always owned one since I was 18, but I am beginning to think I need to change my loyalty to another make and model.
I have a Dodge Stratus SE sedan, 2001 model.. while turning left into a parking lot the steering wheel almost locked up, then something snapped and broke inside. I regain steering but my airbag light was on and remains on. The other controls on the steering wheel such as cruise control and the horn do not work.. I feel the cruise control not working, the wheel freezing up momentarily until you break the ribbon wire inside the clockspring both are safety hazards. The part that is defective is the clockspring.. it is available from the dealer only at a cost over $129.. it is very cheaply made and is essentially a ribbon wire wrapped around a plastic spool. It is capable of binding up and preventing the steering wheel to turn. One should be inspected and any engineer will agree it is very poorly designed. As much as airbag costs and as much is it is engineered, to have a cheaply made part prevent it's functioning make no sense at all. Dodge and Jeep Chrysler im sure.. need to take responsibility and recall these vehicles and replace this part with a much better engineered replacement. I almost crashed and now if I do crash I have no airbag and I have no horn to warn other drivers if they're about to crash into me.
While driving and turning to the right consumer heard a noise coming from the brakes. Also brake light illuminated on the dashboard. Dealer inspected several times, but problem recurred. The emergency brake light illuminated when the consumer made right turns down a grade. It was later determined that the brake fluid was low. The interior lights blink intermittently.
- Topeka, KS, USA
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I have constantly taken my car in for the same reasons. The car jerks, the whole car vibrates when it rains, if it's cold out the car refuses to start in the morning. There have been numerous transmission and piston problems.
The dashboard lights became dim while driving. The dash lights flickered while the vehicle was in motion. Repair was available for the consumers to pay out of pocket. Service bulletin# L4-148
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Brookland, AR, USA