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 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,058 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 #8

Jul 152008

Stratus

  • 54,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Stratus. While parked at a store parking lot, the vehicle's hood caught fire. The puerto rico police department filed report number 200835803237. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer advised the contact to have her insurance company investigate the failure and forward them the report. The current and failure mileages were 54,000.

- Naples , FL, USA

problem #7

May 292006

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
: the contact stated while traveling at 50-55 mph, the vehicle caught on fire from the engine compartment. 5 minutes prior to the incident, the contact noticed grey smoke escaping from under the hood. The vehicle was pulled over and the fire department and police was alerted. The fire was extinguished and the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The fire department was unable to determine what caused the fire. A representative of daimler Chrysler inspected the vehicle on 06/04/06, but did not provide any feedback. A letter was received from the manufacturer dated 06/09/06 that declared daimler Chrysler would not be held responsible for all the incurred damages to the vehicle. A card was also received from daimler Chrysler alerting the contact to call the dealership about recall E23 about a week before the incident occurred. On 06/19/06, a recall letter was received stating that there was a recall on the high pressure steering hose for the vehicle that caught on fire.

- Matteson, IL, USA

problem #6

Aug 182005

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
Engine caught on fire on my 1999 Dodge Stratus. Parked vehicle and went inside the store, and came out and vehicle was on fire. Had the vehicle towed to my house. Contacted Dodge, they sent out an inspector to review the vehicle. The inspector said, the vehicle should have exploded and do not fix the vehicle, Dodge will fix this for you. Rec'd a letter from Dodge, stating they denied my claim to fix vehicle, but would not offer any reason. They also would not give me a copy of the inspection report, they indicated that I would have to hire an attorney to get a subpoena to get a copy of the report. Called the inspector back, found that really strange they always give the reports out and they must be hiding something. Called Dodge 4 different times and they were rude and hung up on me. They would not transfer me to any one, and did not answer my questions. This is my only vehicle, I thank god everyday that my children were not in the vehicle at that time. Now I have to rely on other means of transportation for myself to get to work and my children to school. This is very difficult with 2 school age children and 1 infant.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #5

Nov 012004

Stratus 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

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

Drove 4 to 5 miles, then the vehicle was parked inside of the garage when it caught on fire in the engine compartment and totaled. The fire department was called to extinguished fire. No injuries. The insurance company will come out tomorrow for inspection. Please fill in additional information.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

problem #4

May 262004

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,500 miles
While driving at 35 mph check oil light came on, and vehicle stalled. While getting on an off the ramp vehicle stalled permanently. Vehicle was towed to dealer for examination, and dealer found that the pickup tubing in the engine broke.

- Redford, MI, USA

problem #3

Aug 152003

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,968 miles
Compressor blew out-car shakes hard now. Self adjusting brakes don't feel right, they feel weak. Rolling windows down takes away power to the car, or ac. Brakes make unusual noises but Dodge said there was nothing wrong with them, my mechanic said they needed to be adjusted but Dodge said the brakes adjust themselves

- Apache Junction, AZ, USA

problem #2

Dec 212003

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Blown head gasket, second 1999 Dodge Stratus we have had to pay to have the head gasket replaced. Was this not recalled, I see alot of similar complaints.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #1

Jun 232002

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 40,000 miles
Took vehicle to dealership due to a problem with my manual transmission. Upon looking over the car they found several (about 4) oil leaks. These were repaired and covered under the power train warrenty since my car only had a little over 40,000 miles on it at the time.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

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