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:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
124,833 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.

2001 Dodge Stratus body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2001 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments

problem #3

Aug 082014

Stratus

  • 217,000 miles

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

I have had this car for 2 years now with little problems. Had a few oil changes and some brake work done to it. But in the last year I have changed all the calipers in this car 2 to 3 times the break pads many times the ball joints the roaders the swing arm and the cluster dash. This was a great car till it stopped going over 30 without a terrible shake.

- Weare, NH, USA

problem #2

Oct 262011

Stratus 4-cyl

  • 87,500 miles
Trunk door design has a defect that will cause the trunk door to slam down with excessive and unimpeded force without warning and will do so on its own, even in calm winds. Multiple incident have occurred where the trunk door has slammed down while the driver or the passenger was reaching into the trunk to retrieve articles from the trunk. Currently the only way to safely use the trunk is to have a second person hold the trunk door while the first person places or retrieves articles from the trunk. Injuries that have occurred were momentary back pain and on one occasion a concussion (when the trunk door hit the vehicle owner in the head). None of the injuries required medical treatment. Problem gets worse when vehicle is parked on an incline (particularly if the rear of the vehicle is facing downhill), even if the incline is slight.

- Indian Orchard, MA, USA

problem #1

Sep 132006

Stratus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
Drove the vehicle the night before there were no signs, warnings of anything wrong. Went to drive the vehicle the next afternoon and upon start up vehicle was making a rattling, clicking noise, turned it off immediately. Had car towed, was told oil was sludgy, engine needed to be replace, at a cost of minimum end of $5700. Mechanic stated he had two more vehicles of exact year, make, model and 2.7L engine on his lot with the same problems. He stated further, he was sorry, but would have to decline his service to repair/replace the engine as he was already fed up with dealing with manufacturer with the other two vehicles. He went on to state that the manufacturer is claiming owner fault, of not maintaining 3000 mile oil changes, even though one of the owners had every receipt proving otherwise. Here I sit without a vehicle now, have no financial means to repair or replace this vehicle as I became disabled in April of 2005 and have a very limited budget. I bought a brand new vehicle so I didn't have to worry about any major expense or problems and it would last me 15-20 yrs, not 5. I also didn't expect to pay over $20,000 for a vehicle that would only last 70,000 miles. This wasn't the only items I had to have fixed, in 2003 I had to have the fan fixed for the ac/heating as it only worked on one speed, thank goodness it was covered by warranty. Which I never did receive any recall letter or any notification of this problem. In 2005 the front wheel bearings went out and had to have them replaced. The front drivers side get water in when it rains, have taken it in to dealer, they have no clue as to what and why this is happening. This is the first brand new vehicle I have ever purchased and was so proud of it, took meticulous care of it and now I feel and look like a complete fool, as the manufacturer is laughing all the way to the bank, plus has a vehicle that runs! their old slogan Dodge tuff, the new is your Dodge doesn't run, that's tough.

- Deerfield, WI, USA

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