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.

2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,244 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.

2002 Dodge Stratus electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments

problem #2

Mar 032007

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,601 miles

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

I have had the control arm replaced on this car twice on the same side within a two year period. Now I am having problems with the car it jerks when it gets up to 50 mph.

- Hamlet, NC, USA

problem #1

Apr 202003

Stratus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,886 miles
The headlight continously blew out while driving. The dealershp replaced the light bulb, but could not identify what was causing the problem. The consumer took the head light assmembly apart and noticed that the wiring system had melted.

- Bladenboro, NC, USA

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