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.
I am driving down a busy street during lunch hour and an awful noise started coming from my speakers. Then I looked in my rearview mirror and saw smoke coming from both of my rear speakers. Just try to get to the wires of your rear speakers in this car. Good Luck. Luckily I knew to pull the fuse or I would have fire damage. I saw the Dodge Caravan had a recall for this problem, but what about the Dodge Stratus?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I am driving down a busy street during lunch hour and an awful noise started coming from my speakers. Then I looked in my rearview mirror and saw smoke coming from both of my rear speakers. Just try to get to the wires of your rear speakers in this car. Good Luck. Luckily I knew to pull the fuse or I would have fire damage. I saw the Dodge Caravan had a recall for this problem, but what about the Dodge Stratus?
- Lisa C., Vicksburg, MS, US