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.
This car was given to me as a gift for use of getting to and from work. I am 23 years old, and have had the car now for 3 years. Being that it's 12-13 years old, it's somewhat understandable to have problems, however, when I was driving 35 miles down the road one morning, a loud bang and the front right lower ball joint separated from the housing. I was very angry and had the car towed and paid $1,000 out of pocket to the mechanic.
I contacted Chrysler, only to find out that my VIN number wasn't eligible for the recall repair, but all other 2001 Dodge Stratus' have a recall on front lower ball joint and control arm? They never gave me a recall and said this particular VIN isn't part of the recall. IT IS THE SAME PART! What if this happened on the highway? I could've been killed! I ended up repairing the problem and vehicle seems to be doing alright, I just hope this doesn't happen on the left hand side.
I am very disappointed at this fact. If Dodge and Chrysler sent us a recall notice for this, this could have been avoided, but we had no knowledge of this due to the fact of the VIN for this vehicle wasn't part of the recall, when the SAME model and year and engine type, Chrysler had a recall for this same problem? WTH?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
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This car was given to me as a gift for use of getting to and from work. I am 23 years old, and have had the car now for 3 years. Being that it's 12-13 years old, it's somewhat understandable to have problems, however, when I was driving 35 miles down the road one morning, a loud bang and the front right lower ball joint separated from the housing. I was very angry and had the car towed and paid $1,000 out of pocket to the mechanic.
I contacted Chrysler, only to find out that my VIN number wasn't eligible for the recall repair, but all other 2001 Dodge Stratus' have a recall on front lower ball joint and control arm? They never gave me a recall and said this particular VIN isn't part of the recall. IT IS THE SAME PART! What if this happened on the highway? I could've been killed! I ended up repairing the problem and vehicle seems to be doing alright, I just hope this doesn't happen on the left hand side.
I am very disappointed at this fact. If Dodge and Chrysler sent us a recall notice for this, this could have been avoided, but we had no knowledge of this due to the fact of the VIN for this vehicle wasn't part of the recall, when the SAME model and year and engine type, Chrysler had a recall for this same problem? WTH?
- Travis P., Sterling Heights, MI, US