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.
2.7
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,310 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.
The vehicle stalled intermittently while driving. The consumer inspected the vehicle and found that the electrical connector on the fuel pump had shortage out. The consumer replaced the fuel pump. The old part is available for analysis.
Fuel pump failure. Vehicle stalled and failed to restart. Had vehicle towed to Mr. Tire but they were unable to determine problem and recommended to take it to my Dodge dealer. Dodge dealer service department determined the fuel pump failed and had to be replaced along with fuel filter. Dealer unable to provide cause except that it failed. Mentioned that my research showed that a number of NHTSA fuel pump failure complaints pointed to the connection. Was advised that fuel pumps don't normally fail. $700 repair because warranty expired 5 months ago.
Failure of fuel pump mounted in fuel tank. Ground connection inside fuel tank (male to female conectors) melted plastic harness possible spark ingition explosion in fuel tank when tank is near empty. Like twa 800. Replace fuel pump
Problems with vehicle losing power due to melted plastic connector wire. The electrical wiring failed at the gas tank connector which melted due to excessive heat creating a potentially hazardous problem. The vehicle lost power. This gave an indications that the problem was a faulty fuel pump.
The fuel pump wire burned inside the gas tank, which caused the vehicle to stall. The mechanic stated that he thought the fuel pump had gone out on the vehicle. It was discovered that the wiring harness for the fuel pump had burnt inside the tank. The pump was burnt in several places.
- Harrisburg, IL, USA
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Fuel pump has failed where plug attached to another plug inside the gas tank, which was extremely "hot" when removed. Also, noticed that fuel line that went to fuel filter had twisted/crimped. The vehicle acts like it was sturggling to get gas. No warning lights came on. Both of the plugs were melted together. Great force was used to pull them apart. The fuel pump was only working at 5O percent.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Howey In The Hills, FL, USA