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.
The lights have been flickering since right after I purchased my car back in 03.. And now, all of my lights have gone out on my dash... Have you ever driven with no dash lights???? It's like driving blind.. Also.. My cigarette lighter has never worked, meaning I can't plug in my ipod or cell phone or anything for that matter.. It's really sad.. It might be time for a trade-in!!
The first problem I have had was my trassmition was leaking, The next thing is my dome light flickers on and off. The only way it stays on is if I have the door open Who wants to drive with the door open just to find the kids cup. It will not even stay on when I turn the knob that keeps it on. Then my check engin light has been on for about two years and every where I take it they tell me I need a new computer and that costs around 900,00$$$$ Thats what I own on it. But thanks to god I have taken it to some where that had seen many of these problems and they told me that would fix it for cheaper and really find the problem. If your check ingine light is on. That does not mean that its your computer. You could fix that and then some thing else will pop up and that was the original problem in the first place. Its just when they run your car on that little device I will tell them it is a internal problem but that is all it can read. I will not tell you what the real problem is.
- Amanda H.,
Hanford, CA, US
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The lights have been flickering since right after I purchased my car back in 03.. And now, all of my lights have gone out on my dash... Have you ever driven with no dash lights???? It's like driving blind.. Also.. My cigarette lighter has never worked, meaning I can't plug in my ipod or cell phone or anything for that matter.. It's really sad.. It might be time for a trade-in!!
- Jessica K., Wever, IA, US