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.
ALL THE LIGHTS IN MY CAR CONSTANTLY DIMMING INCLUDING HEAD LIGHTS. VERY ANNOYING TOOK IT TO THE SHOP NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEMS.I NOTICED IT ALOT WHEN I TURN MY HEAT ON. NOW MY HEATING LIGHTS (LIGHTS AROUND THE FIRST 2 KNOBS) DO NOT LIGHT UP I HAVE TO HIT IT WITH MY PALM IN ORDER FOR THEM TO COME ON. WHAT ELSE.. I NEEDED A NEW HOUSING AROUND MY THERMOSTAT. APPARENTLY THE GASKET WENT SO I HAD TO BUY THE HOUSING IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE. I HAD IT FIXED TWICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND THERES MORE. I CANT GET MY CAR INSPECTED BECAUSE WHEN I GOT THE DAMN THING THE HORN DIDN'T WORK( WHICH THEY TRIED FIXING MULITPLE TIMES. ) AND THE SEATBELT CLICKY THING IS SMASHED IN AND ITS BEEN ON BACK ORDER AT DODGE FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS... THIS CAR IS GOING TO CAUSE ME A HEART ATTACK EARLY!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
ALL THE LIGHTS IN MY CAR CONSTANTLY DIMMING INCLUDING HEAD LIGHTS. VERY ANNOYING TOOK IT TO THE SHOP NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEMS.I NOTICED IT ALOT WHEN I TURN MY HEAT ON. NOW MY HEATING LIGHTS (LIGHTS AROUND THE FIRST 2 KNOBS) DO NOT LIGHT UP I HAVE TO HIT IT WITH MY PALM IN ORDER FOR THEM TO COME ON. WHAT ELSE.. I NEEDED A NEW HOUSING AROUND MY THERMOSTAT. APPARENTLY THE GASKET WENT SO I HAD TO BUY THE HOUSING IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE. I HAD IT FIXED TWICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND THERES MORE. I CANT GET MY CAR INSPECTED BECAUSE WHEN I GOT THE DAMN THING THE HORN DIDN'T WORK( WHICH THEY TRIED FIXING MULITPLE TIMES. ) AND THE SEATBELT CLICKY THING IS SMASHED IN AND ITS BEEN ON BACK ORDER AT DODGE FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS... THIS CAR IS GOING TO CAUSE ME A HEART ATTACK EARLY!!
- Ashley F., Philadelphia, PA, US