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:
1 / 30
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,154 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2000 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #27

Dec 092006

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

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

I noticed a lot of smoke coming from under the hood of my car. I took it to the closest Goodyear auto service which is two blocks away from my place of employment on December 9, 2007. It was a bad power steering pressure hose which cost $520.67 to repair. I received a letter from daimler Chrysler on January 3, 2007, concerning a safety recall E23 ?? high pressure power steering hose. The letter stated that if I had already experienced this condition and had paid to have it repaired, you may send your original receipts and/or other adequate proof of payment to the following address for reimbursement: DaimlerChrysler P.O. Box 4639 oak ridge, tn 37831, attention: Reimbursement. I mailed my receipt and copy of their letter by certified mail on 10 Jan 07. I have documentation that shows that the letter saw delivered to oak ridge, tn 37830 at 10:24 am on 12 Jan 07. I received a phone call on today, 27 Jan 07 from a representative of daimler Chrysler named alison employee # 4ae reference # 15862700. She said that the letter was mailed in April 2006 and my reimbursement claim would be denied. She said that the us post office was at fault. And she advised me to send my car back to the dealer to complete repairs. The number that she gave me was 1-1-800-992-1997 ext. 69527. I plan to send a copy of this to my attorney general's office.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #26

Dec 192006

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,500 miles
- the contact stated that the 2000 Dodge Stratus caught on fire. The vehicle was started and noticed smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact turned the vehicle off and opened the hood and the engine was in flames. The fire was doused with a water bottle. The contact called the insurance company and tow truck. The vehicle was towed to auto mechanic. The insurance company determined that the cause of the fire was from the high pressure power steering hose. The contact stated that she received a recall letter 01/15/06, for campaign # 06V00100 for the high pressure power steering. The contact would like to be reimbursed. The contact will be contacting the manufacturer to file a complaint after this call. Updated 07/17/07.

- Kailua-Kona, HI, USA

problem #25

Jan 072007

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles
- the contact had a 2000 Dodge Stratus with an odometer reading of 86000 miles when the car caught on fire. The contact stated that it was raining when she pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle got stuck in the mud. When the contact tried drive the vehicle out of the mud she was unable to do so. She left the vehicle to get assistance and when she returned with help she found that her vehicle had caught on fire. The contact notice an odd smell before the fire and after the fire she found that the car had a power steering leak. She was experiencing the same problem as in recall (06V001000) for hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections. The contact stated that she has the fire report which states the cause of fire. The contact did not have her VIN available.

- Beattyville, KY, USA

problem #24

Jun 182006

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

- the contact stated that when he took the 2000 Dodge Stratus to the dealership they refused to perform recall repair. They stated that there was additional work that needed to be done prior to the servicing the recall.

- Missoula, MT, USA

problem #23

Sep 262006

Stratus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,400 miles
When I first purchased my vehicle, everything was normal as can be. I mean it had minor problems but were quickly fixed. After about 5 in a half months of having the car, I noticed it started having a burning smell to it after cranking up and after driving it for a while, a small amount of smoke would appear. At first I thought nothing of it, but then it ran hot one day. So I had the vehicle inspected by a certified mechanic. He concluded that it could be two things. One is that the smell was coming from the engine area but told me don't be alarmed because it may just be oil dripping on the engine in which when the engine is heated, could cause the smell and smoke, or two I needed my power steering hose looked at. So hearing it from someone of his status I went along with it. That is until a couple of days later while I was on my way home from playing basketball, I noticed smoke coming from under the, but this time it was dark black smoke and it was coming from all around the front of the car. So I immediately tried to pull over to the side of the road (note:I was on a main street with heavy traffic), but when I tried the steering wheel would move/turn at all. Then suddenly before I could get out of the car, it just burst into flames. I struggled the car to the side of the road and jumped out until it rolled into a complete stop on the side of a police station. My car is totaled out. And I have been without one for bout 4 months now. Something needs to be done. Daimler Chrysler had it picked up to determined the cause(2 months ago), and brought it back, but I am yet to hear anything else regarding my claim.

- Hallandale, FL, USA

problem #22

Oct 032006

Stratus

  • 79,000 miles
- the contact stated that while parked with the engine off and the ignition in the on position and playing the radio when smoke was coming from the hood. The contact stated that the fire department was called, and they extinguished the fire. The contact stated that the vehicle wa sinoperable and that fire department informed her that the fire was caused by faulty wiring. The contact stated that the last week of September 2006 the vehicle was leaking oil from the engine. The contact took the vehicle to dealer, and was told there was a leak under the hood. The contact couldn't remember what they said was leaking nor did she know exactly what caused the fire. The contact stated that she received a recall 06V001000. Updated 02/22/07.

- Meadville, MS, USA

problem #21

Oct 052006

Stratus 4-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

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

- the contact's vehicle caught fire in October 2006. The contact received a recall notice 06V001000 on December 28, 2006, dated April 2006. A representative from daimler Chrysler took pictures of the vehicle and denied that the incident was related to the recall. The contact also received a letter from daimler Chrysler denying the claim. The contact's insurance company has denied the claim and determined that the vehicle caught on fire due to a manufacturer's defect. The contact's loan department has also reported the contact to a collection Agency since they didn't have any collateral to make payments. The manufacturer stated the fire was caused due to the power steering and anti freeze in the car. Per the contact. The recall letter indicated the vehicle may prematurely heat and may result in an under hood fire. Updated 01/22/07.

- Kissimmee , FL, USA

problem #20

Dec 052006

Stratus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles
- the contact is calling to make a complaint concerning safety recall number YN105052. The contact stated that while making a left turn, in his 2000 Dodge Stratus into his driveway on the evening of December 5th, 2006, his car began smoking and caught on fire. The contact stated that the previous day the car was making a very very loud squeaking sound. The dealer has told the contact that he caused the problem with the car and that they will not repair it even though it falls under the safety recall. The contact also states that he has had no repairs and has only purchased new tires for the car.

- Saganaw, MI, USA

problem #19

Jul 112006

Stratus 4-cyl

  • miles
Consumer complaint concerning 2000 Stratus safety recall. The consumers vehicle caught on fire, possibly as a result of the recall regarding the power steering hose. The recall was performed, however the vehicle still caught on fire.

- Jackson Heights, NY, USA

problem #18

Oct 302006

Stratus 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving 25 mph, smoke appeared to be coming from the underbody of the vehicle. As the smoke began to spread throughout the vehicle, there was a loud noise. The contact presumed there was power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source. The fire department came to the scene and determined the fire was caused by an electrical problem. A police report was not taken. The service dealer was not alerted, however the manufacturer was notified through audix. There was a NHTSA recall# 06V001000 regarding the steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections. This vehicle had the same characteristics.

- Chester, PA, USA

problem #17

Oct 032006

(reported on)

Stratus 4-cyl

  • miles

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

Consumer complaint concerning high pressure steering hose.

- Sioux City, IA, USA

problem #16

Aug 272005

Stratus 4-cyl

  • miles
2000 Stratus began smoking under hood. The consumer was told the power steering pressure hose was leaking and that the vehicle could possibly catch on fire, however the consumer elected not to have the necessary repair made. Two weeks later the vehicle caught on fire.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #15

Jul 272006

Stratus 4-cyl

  • miles
2000 Dodge Stratus caught fire under the hood. Received recall high pressure power steering hose.

- Florence, SC, USA

problem #14

Aug 022006

Stratus 4-cyl

  • miles
2000 Dodge Stratus caught fire under the hood. Consumer received recall after vehicle had caught fire about the high pressure power steering hose.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #13

Aug 022006

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
: the contact stated the vehicle had power steering problems after recall #06V001000 regarding steering: Hydraulic power assist: Hose, piping, and connections was performed on 08/02/06. At first, the contact heard a noise which got louder through time. The contact added power steering fluid to reduce the noise and noticed the power steering fluid was leaking. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer on 08/21/06 and the dealer claimed the new hose was fine, but they wanted to charge the contact for a power steering pump and new belts, which the dealer claimed was the issue. The contact expressed the recall work was not performed correctly and the hose caused the problem.

- Martinez, GA, USA

problem #12

Jun 142006

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles
: the contact stated the Chrysler manufacturer intentionally gave the wrong mailing address for reimbursement for NHTSA recall # 06V001000 which was pertaining to the high pressure power steering hose. The contact expressed concern that the manufacturer was ignoring the request for the reimbursement.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

problem #11

Jul 012005

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles
2000 Dodge Stratus hose was replaced due to rupture. 08/02/06 ruptured hose was leaking oil onto exhaust and smoked badly.

- South Hadley, MA, USA

problem #10

Aug 022006

Stratus

  • miles
: the contact stated the dealership refused to perform the recall repairs after the contact received a recall letter and arranged to have the work done. The letter was for NHTSA recall # 06V001000; regarding the steering: Hydraulic power assist: Hose, piping, and connections.

- Landover, MD, USA

problem #9

Jun 052006

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The wk 6-16-06 a letter from daimler Chrysler came reg a safety recall E23-high pressure power steering hose.the week before 6-7-06, we took our car in for repairs to a local repair shop.what brings me to my complaint is, 7-10-06, another letter came stating they were unable to reach us.I don't see how it is possible, I gave 2 cell #'s on the letter I mailed.it records missed/incoming calls. I don't believe they made any attempts to call us.after receiving this letter my husband called daimler Chrysler. While on the phone he was disconnected.I called them at right after at,8009921997 and spoke to cliff. She told me we were not going to be reimbursed.she stated the recall was over, and I think she said the deadline was 4-5-06.this couldn't be possible since we received the letter the week of 6-16-06.she said she couldn't help me.I told her I remember reading the letter and nowhere on the letter did it state there was a cut off deadline(which was beside the point, since we had just received it).I told her I was going to go pull my paperwork and call her tomorrow.I came home and pulled my paperwork.(I was really hoping I had kept the envelope, since it would have a postmark),but I only kept the letter.anyways, I re-read the letter.it is not dated (we have no idea when it was written)and the letter does not give a deadline/cut off date for repairs/reimbursements.how is it possible we aren't going to be reimbursed" I would like to make a point here, what if I had not had problems and had not done any repairs on my car yet (and without me even knowing it, my car may have been at the starting point of having problems").does this mean they wouldn't have repaired it since the cut off deadline was over? I would like this situation to be investigated.we believe we're within our rights for reimbursement.I hope that your company can help resolve this and we can get our money back for the repairs we've already paid for.thank you, call me to further discuss my situation.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #8

May 102005

Stratus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles
: the contact stated there was an under the hood fire after 10 to 20 minutes of having the vehicle parked. There were no warning indicators before the fire. The vehicle was deemed totaled. A year after this incident, a recall letter, #06V001000, was received, regarding the steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections that would cause the same consequence. The manufacture was alerted however they offered no resolution for the incident.

- Elkton, MD, USA

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