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.
2.3
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,727 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 drive a 2002 Dodge Stratus, at 40,000 miles transmission completely failed costing me 1300 dollars to replace, at 62,000 the second transmission failed me again, another 1300 dollars, now at 90,000 miles transmission is having problems down shifting on a downward incline,3,000 miles ago I was driving at 35 mph when the lower ball joint completely broke on driver side, wheel came completely off costing me 700 dollars to repair, was just informed the passenger side is going out now.
02/2005 - during normal commute hours, I noticed my transmission slipping during acceleration. Took it into the dealership (63,067 odometer), they said that the transmission cooler lines were leaking and both hoses needed to be replaced.( I park my car in the same spot at work and at home, and hadn't noticed any leakage) I was assured that although there were no spots, that should fix the problem along with a flush, clean, and conditioner. Unfortunately, those parts weren't covered under my extended warranty.($406.62 in repairs) nothing was listed or mentioned about any other parts that needed to be replaced. 11/2005 - on my way to work, the transmission starts slipping again and went out on me. This time I'm being told I need a front pump, valve body, and torque converter ($2,900 in repairs). With 81,000+ miles on the car, and now out of warranty, I'm being told there is nothing they can do about it.
The automatic transmission failed at 59,000 miles on my 2002 Dodge Stratus. The vehicle started to make a popping sound under the hood on the drivers side. The sound was intermittent for about 3 months. On September 22, 2005, the vehicle began to make a loud whistling sound and started to shift hard and/or delay shift. I took the vehicle to a repair shop and it was diagnosed with a hard part transmission failure. The total cost of repair was $2100 and the vehicle went out of warranty at 50,000 miles.
Several months ago I began noticing that the transmission on the vehicle was not shifting down in a smooth manner. I went to the local Dodge dealership and talked with the service manager, explained the problems I was experiencing and asked for advice on what to do. The service manager said that with the computer operated transmission, that the computer is a little slow and not to worry about it. Recently however the problem has been increasing in both frequency and severity. To the point when I am comming to a stop at a stop light or stop sign the vehicle surges forward as I come to a stop and it shifts to the lowest gear. If the trend continues I can see this either destroying the transmission or causing an accident as the surge pushes the vehicle forward. The service department at the local dealership refuses to diagnose the problem and contends that it is just a slow computer and will not cause any problems.
Transmission solenoid leaking along with transmission hose lines. Solonoid was covered in warranty. Hose lines and clamps were not. Car had only 60K. Book specifies transmission service at 100K. I contend that the clamps used on the lines are not able to adjust to the aging hose and cannot last the recommended service time. Adjustable clamps were employed to correct the issue.
- Fleetwood, PA, USA
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I brought car to dealership before warranty ended for transmission work. The said they fixed it but 17,000 miles later transmission went completely out. Dealer says it is now my problem to get fixed.
Car hesitated to go into gear, next day, just driving down the road and it stops pulling. The transmission went completely out, right in the middle of an intersection!hauled it to a garage, the transmission is completely shot. Will cost $1200 to $1500 to replace. If someone was in heavy traffic when this happened this would be extremely dangerous! from what I have been reading this is a very common problem in these vehicles. It is a 2002 Dodge Stratus SE.I will have to borrow the money to have it fixed, as so many people have from what I have read about these and many other Dodge vehicles.
1st occurree was shortly after purchasing the vehicle. Engine light came on, needed new egr valve. After full inspection of vehicle on a very bright day I found slices in side walls of two tires and the door panel drivers side was broken. Car brought to dealer, said to have ordered parts and replaced tires. Tires not replaced. Few weeks later, front tire blow out. Major ordeal with dealer and warranty company to be re-imbursed. Shortly after that car became very sluggish, check engine light came on and an odor or burning rubber was present. Brought vehicle to dealer was informed the soleinoid to transmission was cligged andwas replaced at my cost. Two weekes later the entire transmission went vehicle had 58,000 miles. Had vehicle towed to a dealer close by to have repairs completed, place of purchase dealer stated noone works on our vehicles. Car transported and transmission replaced. Next after transmission was replaced, same problem occurred and vehicle became disabled, results a speed control sensor in transmission was replaced at my cost out of pocket. Again just yesterday, vehicle became disabled, towed to dealer now awaiting disposition.
Engine light came on 9/15/04, took it to dealer on 9/16/04 and was informed the transmission was bad and needed replaced. My car at the time of faliure had 43,125 miles on and that is it, there was no prior warning or knowledge of the transmission going bad, I have had the car serviced just as the manual says to and there was no warning. The consequences of this is it cost me $1325 dollars to have the transmission re-built. The entire transmission had to be re-built.
Consumer complained about a transmission problem. While stepping on the accelerator pedal transmission did not goe into gear. Consumer heard a whining sound, then vehicle popped, and went into gear. However, the whining sound did not not stop.
I am so dissatisfied with my 2002 Dodge Stratus SE. Ever since I bought my car in Jan 2003, I have had more problems with this car than any other. My car leaks fluids constantly, my breaks don't work when applied, my car hesitates in all weather circumstances, my windshield makes a crackling noise, my doors squeak along with my trunk lid. Not to mention that I get anywhere from 10-15 miles per gallon for gas. I drive for about 40 min and half of my gas is gone!!! this vehicle is a hazard to the road and anyone or thing it comes in contact with :-( I never recommend my car to anyone and am ashamed to say it's mine. Dodge is definately one dealer that I wil never ever ever buy another car from!!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hanna, OK, USA