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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
50 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.

2000 Dodge Stratus seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2000 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments

problem #1

Jan 252005

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50 miles

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

I have my automobile routinely maintained, every 6-8 months, (oil, tune up, ...)oil sludge baking in engine block-cylinder at 50,000 and again 114000. Corrosion build up & gunk in cylinder block, coils & spark plug corrosion causing bad-strong order in automobile and sputtering, poor emission. Transmission slips from time to time at 25,000 and now again at 114000, with leaks which we can smell very strong in automobile. Excessive brake lockage while attempting to break in normal-average speed of 25 miles. Constantly having to have the breaks repair although I have life warranty on breaks. Repairer states its the automobile. Safety belt does not always latch properly and has unlatched all by itself while im driving with my son, (6 yrs old). Drivers belt also unlatches from time to time. While driving I notice the car tens to sway to the right. I have had this auto aligned as well as, routine tire rotation, balancing, ect, ...yet it still does this to date. Ball joints, struts wearing out at 25,000. I am tired of investing so much in this automobile. More than I really should have to. I also feel unsafe to drive this automobile. Should my automobile cause any sudden fire due to gunk in a hot running engine & transmission, I will file a law suit. As a consumer I feel that Chrysler should repair my auto and reimburse me for all I have paid simply so that my son and I can feel & be safe driving in this automobile.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

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