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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,625 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 while the vehicle was at a complete stop the passenger frontal air bag deployed with an explosive noise that caused some hearing loss to the contact's right ear. The fire department was present. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign recall number 00V306000 (air bag). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage were 100,000.
Dodge Stratus 2001, 46000 miles. Car was purchased used from the us government on public sale. Air bag light on, horn does not work, cruise control also affected. This is caused by faulty clockspring part located in steering wheel. I called Dodge after discovering on your web site that there was a recall for 1,500,000 Grand Caravan that had a same problem caused by their faulty clockspring. Grand Caravan also had air bag light on, horn was not working and cruise control was off. I express my concern to Dodge since this is a safety issue and I was hoping they will consider fixing this. I been told to take the car to dealership for diagnostics and after they receive results they will consider fixing this. Diagnostics were performed and result was that the clockspring was broken. Dodge declined my request for fixing the problem. I end up paying for diagnostics to find out what I already knew. I believe that clockspring mechanism for Dodge Stratus is something what should be recalled for this model since it is safety issue, that appeared on other recalled models.
While traveling at 25 mph. Consumer states vehicle was involved in a rear end collision when the vehicle in front suddenly came to a stop. Vehicle front end was damaged. None of the vehicles airbags deployed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Greenville, NC, USA