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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,900 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.
I recently purchased a used 2002 Dodge Stratus SE. I purchased this car with 35,000 miles and everything appeared in order. Suddenly one day a loud clicking noise started coming from the driver's side front wheel when the brakes were applied. I brought the vehicle in for a brake inspection for the clicking noise and was told that the driver's side rear roter was warped. I explained that the noise was emanating from the front end. The repair shop stated that the noise originated in the rear roters and traveled through the frame to the front end.the rear roters were recut. A few days later the noise returned. I called the repair shop back and related that the noise was still coming from the front end. I was told that this shop has seen numerous Stratus's and many have this same problem. The repair shop does not know what the problem is and to take it to a dealership. Additionally, after the clicking noise was discovered I expirienced the brakes locking up twice. The ABS does not seem to be working. The vehicle is out of warrenty now and the Dodge dealership I spoke with stated that they could fix the clicking noise and the ABS problem for $1500 a search of your data base revealed numerous complaints concerning a similiar front end noise and ABS failure. If there are so many complaints concerning this vehicle's system then why isn't a recall being initiated. Or does it take a fatality to get this problem addressed.
I took my Stratus into the dealership for its free oil change. While driving there my "brake" idiot light flickered on a few times when stopping. I asked the dealer to look into this. The dealer told me that the cause was excessive brake wear. At 26000 miles all 4 pads are shot and both front rotors are worn. Chrysler will do nothing about this. I have owned over 8 cars and usually get about 60,000 miles or so out of a set of brakes. I called midas and they said that they have dont a lot of brake jobs on Dodge Stratus vehicles in my area.
I am concerned with a few things on my 2002 Dodge Stratus SE 4 door. One, I feel that the ABS system on my car did not work properly. I had to do an emergency stop with my car in which my wheels locked up and the car proceeded to "launch forward" at least 10 feet even though my foot was still on the brake pedal.there were no skid marks. I ended up hitting a woman in front of me who had jacked up. Please keep in mind that I was only traveling at about 25 mph having just come through a light. In addition to that, even though I was wearing my seatbelt, I still hit the dashboard with my knee and the steering wheel with my chin. Normally when I come to a stop at a stop sign my seat belt gets tighter when I step on the brakes and I have trouble leaning forward to look both ways, it seems like that is how it is supposed to work. Also, my airbags never deployed. I am very concerned about these issues. I love my car but I am now afraid to drive it especially with my children in it. What happens if I have to do an emergency stop because of a child running out in the street 20 feet from where I am. Will my car stop then. I know cars don't stop on a dime but I feel at the rate of speed I was traveling and the conditions of the road, I should have never hit that woman. What do I do?
My car makes a loud clicking/grinding noise while applying the brakes and turning. I have had the steering rack replaced, the upper and lower control arms replaced twice, the ball joints replaced twice, the control arm bracket replaced, the sway bars replaced. The noise stopped after the bracket was replaced but came back after a month. This car has been in seven times with no resolve.
Brakes failed while applyed at 55 mph, brake pedal went to the floor, and caused a vehicle crash. Dealer notified. The vehicle flipped over three times ejecting the passenger and injuring the driver critically. The air bag failed to deploy during the accident. The vehicle had cruise control and seat belt problem and experienced a tire blew out.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- West Chicago, IL, USA