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.
My car was the most maintained vehicle ever. It was down at the dodge dealership all the time for routine maintaince. The oil was changed every three thousand miles it had the tranny flush the coolant flush, and then I had the drive belts replaced before going a a long trip. The dealership checked out the car knowing I was traveling. The next day, less than four hundred miles later, I lost all power, then the engine light started flashing and the motor started knocking. This all happened faster than I could pull the car over to the side of the interstate. This is a very fustrating problem, I thought my car would be reliable and instead it left me stranded 400 miles from home. I loved the car, but I don't think I will be buying another dodge vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My car was the most maintained vehicle ever. It was down at the dodge dealership all the time for routine maintaince. The oil was changed every three thousand miles it had the tranny flush the coolant flush, and then I had the drive belts replaced before going a a long trip. The dealership checked out the car knowing I was traveling. The next day, less than four hundred miles later, I lost all power, then the engine light started flashing and the motor started knocking. This all happened faster than I could pull the car over to the side of the interstate. This is a very fustrating problem, I thought my car would be reliable and instead it left me stranded 400 miles from home. I loved the car, but I don't think I will be buying another dodge vehicle.
- Gina R., Butte, MT, US