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.
6.0
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$100
Average Mileage:
78,000 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (1 reports)
popped off door panel and plugged the cord back in (1 reports)
I bought this vehicle in 2004 with about 21000 miles on it. I suspect this was a problem at that time but not sure. Because I found that the left front door speaker was not working because of crossed wiring at the radio plug. Or maybe the window does not work because I repaired the radio wires. I can only imagine what it will cost to fix.
When my windows got stuck partway down I thought it maybe needed a new fuse, but when that didn't work I took it to the dealer and they just popped off the driver door panel and saw that the windows electrical cord was unplugged.
It ended up happening a short time later, and I just took it off myself and plugged it in and taped it. Careful when you put the panel back on, because the cord gets unplugged VERY easily, and you have to make sure you put everything back in its place!
- Jaimee H.,
Santa Barbara, CA, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I bought this vehicle in 2004 with about 21000 miles on it. I suspect this was a problem at that time but not sure. Because I found that the left front door speaker was not working because of crossed wiring at the radio plug. Or maybe the window does not work because I repaired the radio wires. I can only imagine what it will cost to fix.
- harrmonic, New Cumberland, PA, US