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.
Regardless of whether the weather is hot or cold, the use of the air conditioner is quite common either through direct air conditioner selection or defrost. So as I am driving around town or on the highway and stop at an intersection my car dies, the steering wheel freezes up due to no power steering and creates a road hazard. Now this only happens at idle when the car is running around 600rpm. I am thinking about bring the car into the dealership to increase the idle to resolve this issue since around 800rpm or so it does not occur or when the car is first started and is idling high due to the automatic choke.
Being that this is only a difference of a couple 100rpm, I do not feel that the remedy should be a pricey replacement of a otherwise functioning air conditioner, but rather it is due to a design flaw of a part in the air conditioner's clutch assembly.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Regardless of whether the weather is hot or cold, the use of the air conditioner is quite common either through direct air conditioner selection or defrost. So as I am driving around town or on the highway and stop at an intersection my car dies, the steering wheel freezes up due to no power steering and creates a road hazard. Now this only happens at idle when the car is running around 600rpm. I am thinking about bring the car into the dealership to increase the idle to resolve this issue since around 800rpm or so it does not occur or when the car is first started and is idling high due to the automatic choke.
Being that this is only a difference of a couple 100rpm, I do not feel that the remedy should be a pricey replacement of a otherwise functioning air conditioner, but rather it is due to a design flaw of a part in the air conditioner's clutch assembly.
- Chris C., Cleveland, OH, US