Dodge Stratus engine failure 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 Feb 13, 2014 · Engine · 107,000 miles · PA

The mechanic told me that the engine needs to be replaced. Sludge on the pick up tube clocked the screen and the engine seized. Always had the oil and filter changed every 3000 miles. Never herd of having to drop the pan and clean a pick up tube when doing a routine oil change. Owned lots of cars in the 30 years I been driving and never experience this. Car has been sitting in my driveway for over a year and I still have to make payments every month. Don't have the money for a new engine. Thanks dodge. I will never ever buy a dodge again. Piece of crap engine.

Filed Apr 4, 2013 · Engine · 105,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge stratus. The contact stated that she noticed fluid leaking from her vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. After diagnosis, they advised her that oil was leaking due to the seals and they needed to replace the engine. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages was approximately 105,000.

Filed Mar 6, 2013 · Engine · AL · crash

Car was parked in the driveway about 1 day. As I started the car I heard a big bang, and the engine seized up. Car will not turn over. No warnings or anything to indicate something was wrong with the engine. I decided to look under the hood, and I pulled out the dipstick and spotted a dark milky substance. I bought this car about 3yrs. Ago, and kept the maintenance up on the car.

Filed Jul 26, 2012 · Engine, Steering · 118,127 miles · WA

I was driving home and felt a miss in the engine, placed in neutral to see if it was just a bump or imagination. I watched the engine rpms drop to zero. Somehow the vehicle started back up and I was able to stop in time only to have to throw it in neutral again and drive two footed all the way home because the engine was trying to die. So, I drove my truck to work for the next week and then saturday came around and I fired the car up nothing appeared or sounded unusual. I let it idle for about 5 min. Backed up and out of the drive way and at the second stop sign I hung a right and heard a "pop" noise followed by a card in bike spoke sound from the engine, I opened the hood, again no damage ....the valve cover closest to the front of the vehicle had 2 cracks in it! It was oozing out oil. So as it turns out though I got really lucky, I bent 2 valves on #3 piston, also did compression leak down test on all other cylinders they were fine. (if your chain snapped it is a very easy and fast test to determine if your motor is junk or not and should not cost you much at all) dealerships wanted over 6k for long block, the car isn't worth that much! Auto parts stores wanted over 400 bucks for timing set only. I found the timing chain set, oil pump, and water pump on line for half the cost of the timing chain set alone. Good brand names too! Upon removing the timing cover and heads from the engine I found the cause of the problem, the water pump bearings seized, and because that water pump is driven by the large timing chain it was the cause of the chain snapping and almost ruining my entire engine.

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 Sep 26, 2011 · Engine · 89,107 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge stratus. The contact stated that when vehicle was started, there was a loud noise as he vehicle stalled. A local mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure but advised that the failure was more than likely caused by an engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 89,107. Updated 02/14/12*lj upated 02/22/12

Filed Jun 18, 2011 · Engine · 56,262 miles · CA

Our 2004 dodge stratus engine seized up completely and without warning in the middle of an intersection while my wife was driving home with our children. This car is equipped with the 2.7l v6 engine which only now have we become aware of the long history of this catastrophic type of failure. We bought this car new and have taken meticulous care with maintenance as noted by the service manager at our dealership. None the less, now I am expected to spend $6,700 to replace a motor that was clearly defected in design.

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.