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.
We bought a 01 Dodge Stratus on 6/2/2014 from a private party, drive the car for three weeks and started tapping. Husband thought maybe a lifter was tapping, checked oil regularly and always had to add a little. Then drive the car to town one day and at the off ramp the car just died with my husband and kids in the car on a really hot day. Car wouldn't start, had it towed home, got the car to start but was knocking really loud, idling rough, will run for a few minutes and die if your not giving it gas. Needless to say I started looking online for what could be wrong and find that the 2.7 has so many oil sludge problems.Now I have this car that I can't drive and can't afford to fix and am stuck in a hole.
I bought this car in february and never had an issue till recently. I am pissed because the engine knocks, engine light is on, poor fuel economy, and not mention my head gaskest is going. This is my family only vehicle and if it goes we wont have anything. I am mother of three and really need dodge/ cryshler to step up and replace my engine at no cost to me cuz its not my fault that its doing this.
I bought the 2001 dodge stratus ES 2.7 liter engine in February of 2013. In march of 2013 the car started knocking. From reading these blogs I see I'm not the only 1 with this issue. I hope Dodge has a plan to fix these cars but I'm not going to hold my breath. If anyone has a soloution to this problem I'm all ears.
2001 dodge stratus. it was clean outside and in. Car for my 21-year- old, She was driving home late one night and heard banging noises from the engine. Had to have the car towed. Now it will not start. Not good when you have to get to work everyday to make a small income, and now have no car. less than 70,000 miles on that engine. We cannot to afford to help her with another car, car was working great until this!
Who can we contact at DODGE to help us? They have to know the problem exists. What is going on?-
Have owned the vehichle for 6 months. Bought it used through a friendly dealer. Out of the blue the engine starts making a tapping sound. My first thought was low oil, not the case. I took it to the dealer and was told that there was TSB that said something had to be filed down on top of the engine. This wasn't covered under any warranties, but not to worry the engine won't be hurt. At present my wife has given me only one option. GET IT FIXED.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
We bought a 01 Dodge Stratus on 6/2/2014 from a private party, drive the car for three weeks and started tapping. Husband thought maybe a lifter was tapping, checked oil regularly and always had to add a little. Then drive the car to town one day and at the off ramp the car just died with my husband and kids in the car on a really hot day. Car wouldn't start, had it towed home, got the car to start but was knocking really loud, idling rough, will run for a few minutes and die if your not giving it gas. Needless to say I started looking online for what could be wrong and find that the 2.7 has so many oil sludge problems.Now I have this car that I can't drive and can't afford to fix and am stuck in a hole.
- Kelly M., Camdenton, MO, US