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.
The car has developed a leak in the air compressor. They want $730 to fix it and Dodge will not help in any way even though I have owned 10 Dodge automobiles in the past. The really awful part of this is that I had the exact same problem with my 1996 Dodge Stratus and still purchased this one! Dodge will not receive any money from future purchases from this family.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The car has developed a leak in the air compressor. They want $730 to fix it and Dodge will not help in any way even though I have owned 10 Dodge automobiles in the past. The really awful part of this is that I had the exact same problem with my 1996 Dodge Stratus and still purchased this one! Dodge will not receive any money from future purchases from this family.
- dsanders, Waupaca, WI, US