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.
So this is my husband's car. He purchased it used in 2006. He initially had trouble in late 2008/early 2009 when he found that the engine would make a terrible tapping (low speeds) and grating noise (highway speeds). He and his Dodge Lover friend took the thing apart and determined that the crankshaft bearings needed to be replaced. I don't remember how much this (TEMPORARY) repair cost.
In August 09 the engine needed to be replaced. Replacing the engine was the only solution, though the problem was near identical to what they had fixed earlier (just way worse than the first time). He found a refurbished engine for about $3000. This "new" engine was said to have about 60k miles.
This new engine has now gotten to the point we were at before - they are going to replace the crankshaft bearings again. I hope that he will come to his senses and sell it once it is running.
In trying to find out if there was a "factory bearing" issue (as Dodge Lover believed) I found this website:
MY ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO OIL SLUDGE COST $6600 TO REPLACE WITH A NEW MOTOR. CHRYSLER/DODGE REFUSED TO COVER IT.. I ALWAYS WONDERED WHY THE MECHANICS WHO WORKED ON MY CAR ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS HORRIBLE ON THESE CARS.
IT IS DODGE'S DEFECT REPORT IT TO DODGE AND BELOW IS A LINK A REPORT TO NHTSA.
I can't believe the piece of crap used Dodge STratus that I bought from Quality Dodge in Tooele. My car is a year 2000 model and at 57,000 miles the engie blew up!! We talked with the dealer we purchased the car from and they were very unwilling to help. What a disappointment. My father warned me about the American cars when I was thinking of buying this car vs a Honda Accord. Boy did I make the wrong decision!! I will never buy another Dodge car again as long as I live. Yes my car had a warranty on it, however it was over at 36,000 miles. Sadly enough, we just bought a very old Honda Civic (1991) and I actually trust this car more than my 2000 Dodge. It cost us $3800 to fix and the car is only 3 years old! I owned a Toyota Paseo before this car and I had it for 6 years and it never had any problems other than regular maintenance. I should have kept that car!! but I traded it for this horrible Dodge Stratus. Now I want to get rid of this car by trade in and come to find out that the trade in value is half of what I originally bought the car for. Bottom line, they don't hold their value like a Toyota or a Honda!!
- Danielle P.,
Salt Lake City, UT, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
So this is my husband's car. He purchased it used in 2006. He initially had trouble in late 2008/early 2009 when he found that the engine would make a terrible tapping (low speeds) and grating noise (highway speeds). He and his Dodge Lover friend took the thing apart and determined that the crankshaft bearings needed to be replaced. I don't remember how much this (TEMPORARY) repair cost.
In August 09 the engine needed to be replaced. Replacing the engine was the only solution, though the problem was near identical to what they had fixed earlier (just way worse than the first time). He found a refurbished engine for about $3000. This "new" engine was said to have about 60k miles.
This new engine has now gotten to the point we were at before - they are going to replace the crankshaft bearings again. I hope that he will come to his senses and sell it once it is running.
In trying to find out if there was a "factory bearing" issue (as Dodge Lover believed) I found this website:
http://www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com/
It's enough to break your heart. Don't buy Dodge.
- jla, Vallejo, CA, US