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:
0 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 engine problems

engine problem

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1999 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments

problem #13

Dec 202001

Stratus

  • miles

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

No summary.

- Bellevue, NE, USA

problem #12

Oct 152002

Stratus

  • miles
If I reported this before I apologize. Car overheated on 10-14-02. Pulled aside let cool down. Drove home checked under hood. Coolant in reservoir, oil in engine. Started car the next day, no heat from heater, temperature gauge did not move off of cold. Shortly thereafter, car decelerated and oil pressure light went on. Pulled to side of road, called for tow. Car towed to another dealership. Compression test done, they said blown head gasket. Two days later, car towed to selling dealership, authorized tear down of engine. They state car overheated, severely damaged engine to point where some component was crystalizing. They said nothing about a blown head gasket. Dealer refuses to help. Daimler Chrysler refuses to assist and will not even look at the car. Have made calls to chrsyler corporation customer service and filed complaint, wrote a letter to Chrysler. Then sent a fax to Chrysler only response was through dealership and message left on answering machine. "won't assist you won't look at car.

- Kawkawlin, MI, USA

problem #11

Oct 142002

Stratus

  • miles
Car was serviced on 09/07/02. On 10/14/02, looked up to see temperature gauge in the "H" running hot. No warning, no dashboard light warning. Pulled to side of road, car cooled off drove home. Popped hood, coolant in reservoir and checked oil, oil in engine. Next day, 10/15/02, started car, started fine. Noticed the temp gauge was not moving off the "C" for cold, no heat coming from the heater started off to work. Was doing about 68, when car immediately started to decelerate and immediately the little "red genie looking oil lamp light" went on. Immediately pulled to side of road as car was obviously loosing power. Called for tow truck. Car was towed not to the selling dealership because of on-going service problems, but to another dealership. I authorized them to check the engine. They did a compression test and told me "blown head gasket." But they could not tell if any more significant damage was done without tearing down the engine. Car was towed two days later to selling dealership. Engine was torn down. Their response, "engine overheated" doing severe damage to engine. No mention of a head gasket being the cause of the engine overheating. Dealer offers to do nothing. It is now November 3, 2002 and I still have not been given any opinions or prices to repair this vehicle. Daimler Chrysler was notified. I received a call from the dealership and daimler Chrysler on behalf of the district manager who say "they will do nothing to assist; won't even come look at the car. I now have a 3-1/2 year old car that is undriveable. This is a car that has had its share of engine related problems in the past. In researching the internet, the NHTSA, the center for auto safety and just under Dodge defects, I note that the Stratus, cirrus and neons have a long, long history of head gasket problems.

- Kawkawlin, MI, USA

problem #10

Sep 152002

Stratus

  • miles

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

After several attempts to stop oil leaking from my car, it was discovered that the car needed the head gasket replaced. The manufacture states this part is out of warranty. I have seen where several people of complained about this very problem and I am wondering what recourse I have to get my money refunded. I have spent $700 in repairs.

- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA

problem #9

Sep 042002

Stratus

  • miles
Cracked head gasket as of 09/04/2002 problem was not diagnosed until 10/08/2002.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #8

Apr 152002

Stratus

  • miles
Routine oil change noted a severe leak that they suspected was the infamous "head gasket leak" that the Stratus are famous for. Took to dealer who agreed and repaired under my extended warranty.

- Gahanna, OH, USA

problem #7

Oct 172001

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

The vehicle caught fire while the ignition was turned off.

- Ponce, PR, USA

problem #6

Jan 292002

Stratus

  • miles
No summary listed for abov evehicle.

- Stratford, CT, USA

problem #5

Nov 012001

Stratus

  • miles
Engine stalls intermittently while traveling at any speed. Dealership has been unable to determine cause for this problem. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #4

Dec 011998

Stratus

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Jacsksonville, FL, USA

problem #3

Apr 042001

Stratus

  • miles

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

Had cam sensor fixed on 4/2/2001, car began to make a loud noise and sputter, then would slow down. Car finally stopped and stalled and won't restart.

- Bealeton, VA, USA

problem #2

Sep 242000

Stratus

  • miles
No summary

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #1

Jan 281999

Stratus

  • miles
Vehicle stalls at low speed of 40 mph & up to high speed of 70 mph. Also, stalls while turning and coming to a stop position. Been in/out of dealer shop on three occasions, and problem is reoccurring.

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

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