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.
I got my 2002 Dodge stratus as a gift for my 18th birthday this year. We thought it was a steal because the paint job and the interior were super nice, but I started to notice little things here and there once in awhile, but never thought anything of it because the cars old.
Then in September, I was going down the road to go to work and I was on a highway ramp when my car shook very violently and it scared me really bad, so I pulled over and got it towed and we figured out it was the torque converter. My uncle and I decided to just rebuild the whole transmission to have it run like new, but it still shakes once in awhile but I give it a few revs and its fine.
Yeah...after reading these problems I'm realizing I never should have bought my dodge! I have to say its a nice car but the company is notorious for bad transmission problems. Mine has been slipping for sometime now, but within the last few months it has been making a really bad grinding noise. I am afraid to drive it because I don't wanna have to stop on the side of the road somewhere with my 2 year old. I have also noticed that the A/C acts up sometimes. It will be blowing cold air and then all of the sudden it will just start blowing hot air. What is that about? Never gonna buy another dodge...ever! Oh, and the factory paint has been chipping away! Such bs!
This car started having transmission problems almost immediately after I bought it. Several trips back to the dealer only made a slight difference in its performance, and I wound up getting rid of the vehicle in 2007. I would never recommend a Dodge or Chrysler vehicle to anyone because of the experience I have had with this vehicle.
Gee how do I start this, I am so pissed off, I hate the Dodge Stratus, its no wonder Dodge is stopping production on them. Im the first proud owner of my 2002 Dodge Stratus SXT. I have had lots of problems with it most minor fixes that was covered on the warranties, but luck ran out on me yesterday, My transmission started to slip. I could see the RPMS serging and I noticed that I was loosing speed. I pulled over and there was a horrible grinding noise coming from the transmission. Needless to say when i put back in gear you could feel it slipping before hitting the gear to move. I am so glad I carry towing on my insurance and I had a cell phone to get towed.I was in the middle of no where. Some other issues are the blower fan for the a/c has been replaced twice, not to mention replaced the fuel pump a yr ago. Its time Dodge started to find a solution to their Transmission problems with several of thir automobiles.
- beaudry,
Portage, IN, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
lets see, I brought a 2002 dodge stratus from a used car dealership. 5 mins later I take it back because everytime I'd hit around 20-30mph it would jump. I've had it fixed and still have the same problem here and there. Sometimes it can be very tight to drive also. Since I've had it I've kept good maintenance on the "Hoopty" (oil changes every other month, Tune up repairing minor problems. So far I've put almost $3000 in it and I can't trade it in. The worse part about it is that my brother owns a 2003 Stratus R/T and it has the same problems. I think Chrysler needs to do something with the cars they make because they are real sh*tty. STAY AWAY FROM CHRYSLER AND DODGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I got my 2002 Dodge stratus as a gift for my 18th birthday this year. We thought it was a steal because the paint job and the interior were super nice, but I started to notice little things here and there once in awhile, but never thought anything of it because the cars old.
Then in September, I was going down the road to go to work and I was on a highway ramp when my car shook very violently and it scared me really bad, so I pulled over and got it towed and we figured out it was the torque converter. My uncle and I decided to just rebuild the whole transmission to have it run like new, but it still shakes once in awhile but I give it a few revs and its fine.
- Alexis G., Jenison, MI, US