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.

3.6

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,000 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.

2002 Dodge Stratus windows / windshield problems

windows / windshield problem

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2002 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments

problem #1

Jul 182005

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

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

While using the air conditioning, the blower motor will only work on high. Had the car serviced at the dealership in clarkston, mi and it was found that the resister on the blower motor was defective. Part was replaced under warranty in 2004. Issue occurred again in July of 2005. Warranty has expired and my husband replaced the resistor in July of 2005. Is this a high failure unit on the 2002 Dodge Stratus?

- Burton, MI, USA

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