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.
5.4
fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,926 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.
Air bag light constantly on, horn and cruise control quit working at the same time. It is my understanding air bag is inoperable at this point and the cause is a broken clockspring in steering wheel. This is a major safety hazard that Dodge should be required to fix at no charge.
: the contact stated the air bag light illuminated constantly, the cruise control was inoperable and there was a clicking in the steering column when the wheel is turned left or right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined a spring in the steering wheel needed to be replaced. Also, the contact stated there was a clicking noise in the front underside of the vehicle that has not yet been inspected by the dealer.
I have constantly taken my car in for the same reasons. The car jerks, the whole car vibrates when it rains, if it's cold out the car refuses to start in the morning. There have been numerous transmission and piston problems.
The vehicle surges at highway speeds, worse with the A/C on, consumer was informed that a computer update is coming out that will correct the problem, but was unablt to give consumer a timeframe.
- Modesto, CA, USA
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The vehicle surges at highway speeds, worse with the A/C on, consumer was informed that a computer update is coming out that will correct the problem, but was unablt to give consumer a timeframe.
While driving at highway speed of 50-70 mph vehicle would intermittently surge without warning, vehicle taken to dealer, and they were unable to resolve problem. Chrysler informed consumer of an update that would improve the surging, however it has been five months with no replacements or repairs.
During normal operation of vehicle engine will surge and cause sudden acceleration, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealership has been unable to determine a reason for the problem. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
When putting vehicle in reverse it intermittently goes forward without pressing on accelerator. Vehicle taken to dealer 2 times, dealer stated if they could not duplicate problem then there was nothing they could do.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fairhope, AL, USA