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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,483 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.

2002 Dodge Stratus seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2002 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments

problem #12

Aug 312015

Stratus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Stratus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V338000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Plymouth, PA, USA

problem #11

Nov 182015

Stratus

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Stratus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V338000 (air bags) however, the part needed to perform the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure the contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #10

Jul 012015

Stratus

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Stratus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V338000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Bruce, WI, USA

problem #9

Jul 102015

Stratus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Stratus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V338000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the part to do the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #8

Aug 212014

Stratus

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that while making a turn, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. In addition, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

- Stony Point, NC, USA

problem #7

Nov 042013

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise from the dashboard as the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the air bag needed to be replaced. In addition, the horn and the cruise control failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 69,000. Updated 09/02/14

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #6

Jun 162013

Stratus 4-cyl

  • 64,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I got in my car to drive home and as soon as I started the car and turned the wheel just a little, I hear a popping sound coming from the steering wheel. The light on the dashboard came on stating "air bag". I have already had problems with the ball joints I had to replace myself and other issues with this car. Now I have a faulty air bag that is making noise every time I turn the wheel. I also found out I have no horn. It does not work since the air bag is faulty. I am not protected with an air bag and can not defend myself with my car horn...I need help!

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #5

Oct 292012

Stratus

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated while driving 30 mph the air bag light illuminated and began making a beeping noise. Approximately 60 seconds later the passenger side air bag deployed in the direction of the windshield. The windshield was cracked as well as damaging the dash board. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and an engineer was dispatched to inspect it. Over a month later the contact received a letter from the manufacturer stating they did not feel the failure was due to a manufacturer defect and would offer no assistance. The failure and current mileage was 140,000.

- Algonac, MI, USA

problem #4

Oct 102004

Stratus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles
Clock spring failure...airbag lite is on is the 1st sign of the problem.

- Peoria, AZ, USA

problem #3

Oct 012004

Stratus 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I was in a car accident. I rear ended the SUV in front of me. The front of my car is smashed pretty bad. My air bag didn't deflate. I believe that is a very serious saftey hazard.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #2

Feb 262004

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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?

- Chepachet, RI, USA

problem #1

May 132002

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

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