NHTSA — Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

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.

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:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,000 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.

1999 Dodge Stratus electrical problems

electrical problem

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1999 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments

problem #2

Jan 011999

Stratus

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Stratus. When it rains, the instrument panel gauges, windshield wipers, and air conditioner become inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle was a lemon because it has been included in two recalls and the windows did not work at the time of purchase. The contact believes that Chrysler should repair the vehicle since the failures have been occurring since the day it was purchased. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage was 5,000.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

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problem #1

Jul 182007

Stratus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Stratus. While parked in the parking lot, the vehicle caught fire. The fire and police departments suggested that the fire could have been caused from bad wiring within the instrument panel. The contact stated that the entire instrument panel and engine were completely destroyed. She stated that there was no ignition source that could have caused the fire. The vehicle was towed and the contact is still waiting to hear from the mechanic. She has also been experiencing brake failure and have had them replaced twice. A police report was filed. The VIN and engine size were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 140,000.

- Edinburg, TX, USA

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