2002 Dodge Stratus engine problems

Filed Sep 3, 2015 · Engine · 98,252 miles · FL

The internal water pump failed. This caused water to leak into the oil pan. The water got hot enough on a 600 miles trip from florida to mississippi that it boiled and caused the oil to turn into sludge (molasses like consistency). This caused a lack of lubrication of the dual camshafts which in turn burned up. End result was engine failure.

Filed Mar 7, 2014 · Body, Engine · 105,000 miles · TX · fire

Grandaughter was returning home from college . Vehicle suddenly caught fire on highway between marble falls tex and burnet texas.. Her mother was following in another car and barely had time to rescue some of the personal items before entire car was engulfed in flames. Granddaughter barely escaped the vehicle without injury. She was able to get several pictures of the vehicle fire on her cell phone.. The fire begin either under the hood or under the front of the car and was completely engulfed in a matter of minutes.. Grandaughter and her mom was very distraught and terribly upset until fire dept from burnet arrived on the scene . They were called (911) by a passing motorist. The burned out vehicle was hauled in to burnet texas by advantage towing 512‑756‑7995. We have never received a recall from dodge about the possible fire hazards on this vehicle.

Filed Jan 15, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 108,700 miles · CA

Noticed slight gear slippage travelling 35-45mph. All fluids checked, at proper levels. A week later, engine 'jerked' when coming to complete stop, check eng light illuminated. Progressively worsened. Once engine warmed up, started hearing a 'whirring' noise from lower-middle area of engine. Stopped @ local repair shop, they checked fluids and vac hoses, noise stopped, but noticed coolant in reservoir side 3/4 full & boiling, temp gauge on dash 'normal'. Next day, while cold, I checked coolant level in reservoir (left side) still full, (hadn't flowed back thru system once cool). I added water to 'fill line', checked condition of pressure cap (looked fine), placed & tightened, started engine, let run a few minutes, loosened 'air bleeder' on top of coolant bleeder hsng. Then I slowly shifted thru all gears, w/foot on brake, let air bleed til solid stream of liquid and shut car off. Waited an hour, started up and drove. Ck eng lt= off. Fine for a few days, same issues started up again. Louder 'whirring', like a belt or band slipped. Irratic shifting, trans never failed. Ran both code tests on dashcluster=no dtcs. Jan 2014-drove to dodge dealership: disposition: replace mopar 41te trans. My lost wages / loss of veh use(dec/jan) + burden of a loan to replace the transmission = more than I paid in full to buy the car barely 6 months ago. Unfair to customers: ongoing computer and PCM/transmission failure since 1999. The 'oops' tech spec-correct trans fluid atf+4 how many damaged & failed transmissions? Refused to honor powertrain warranty!! And continued placing. Shame on all of the corporate executives & engineers that got rich from robbing the consumers. You were 'successful failures' mopar, chrysler-dodge-daimer-iacocca, etc. 90+ tsbs, no recalls. Class actions dismissed! Time for the consumers to prevail. Time for a california class action!!

Filed Feb 7, 2012 · Engine · 89,000 miles · OK

I have read about the known dodge 2.7 engine freeze issue and it happened to me. Please do something

Filed Oct 13, 2011 · Engine · 82,000 miles · FL

On my way to work one morning, the car stopped in the middle of the street. It was two blocks from the house. I had 2 neighbors push the car back to the house. I eventually took it to the mechanic, who told me the problem was the engine. He took out the parts trying to rebuild the engine and noticed there was sludge throughout the parts. He then told me it was not safe to try and clean it out, because there is no guarantee how far into the engine it had gone. I would have to purchase an whole new engine. He looked for engines but could only find those with high mileage. He was not sure if the engine would stand-up for long or eventually cause me to have to change it again. The car is still waiting for an engine. I have not been in a financial situation to afford it. I recently started to look again to get an idea of when I may be able to work on this again. I remember hearing there was an issue with the stratus' but when I called two local dealers for information, they told me they did not know anything about it.

Filed Jun 20, 2011 · Engine · 112,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge stratus se. The contact stated that when driving over a pothole at various speeds, the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal feeling. The contact investigated the vehicle and discovered that the engine bracket was fractured. The vehicle was then inspected by an independent mechanic who confirmed the failure and advised that the bracket would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part being on backorder. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

Filed Jan 25, 2011 · Engine · 177,000 miles · CA

Tl * the contact owns a 2002 dodge stratus. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle temperature increased. The contact shut off the vehicle and upon further inspection, found that the vehicle was leaking coolant. The vehicle was not repaired. The following day while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where the contact was advised that the engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 177,000.

Filed Oct 7, 2010 · Engine · 135,000 miles · KS

The timing chain broke causing bent valves and the need to rework the top end of the engine. In doing research it was found out about the issues with the 2.7l v6 and the fact that this issue likely causes catastrophic engine failure.

Filed Aug 16, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · 78,155 miles · IL

Dodge stratus 2.7 liter trans replaced on 5-1-06 oil sludge engine failure on 1-2-10.

Filed Aug 12, 2010 · Engine · 68,000 miles · MN

I own a dodge stratus (2002) that has an oil sludge problem. I had a mechanic look at it thinking it was a head gasket and was told that only the gasket would be like a band aid on the problem. He told me that the chrysler 2.7l engine is having "oil sludge" problems and that there is a class action lawsuit for this. I cannot junk this vehicle as I still owe several thousands of dollars. Also, I have been unable to use this vehicle for the past year and still have to pay my monthly bill.