Dodge Stratus Complaints

2,721 consumer complaints on file.

#10019527May 8, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY WIFE DROVE ABOUT 25 MINUTES TO A FLEA MARKET. BYSTANDERS THERE TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE STOPPED, THEY TOLD HER THAT HER VEHICLE IS ON FIRE AND TO GET OUT. SHE IMMEDIATELY GOT HER CHILDREN OUT. A MAN THERE POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE RAN FINE THE DAY BEFORE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10018395May 7, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I AM NOT SURE IF THIS SITE PERTAINS TO THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO ZEISER DODGE ON 04-19-03 WITH A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. ON 04-21-2003 THEY CALLED TO TELL ME THEY WERE NOT GOING TO FIX IT DUE TO OIL SLUDGE AND THAT THE CAR HAD NOT HAD PROPER OIL CHANGES. I PROVIDED ALL OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS AND THEY ARE STILL REFUSING TO FIX THE VEHICLE. ITS STILL UNDER THE 36,000 MILE-3 YR WARRANTY. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND THAT THE 2.7 LITER IN THESE CARS ARE FAULTY FOR OIL SLUDGE. I FEEL MY CAR SHOULD BE REPAIRED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10017128May 6, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT ON 01/12/01 WITH 14 MILES ON IT. 04/14/02 I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. WHEN THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED AGAIN, BLUE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT THE BACK. I PARKED THE CAR NEARBY AND LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, AND WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN, IT WOULD NOT STAY RUNNING, AND THERE WAS MORE BLUE SMOKE COMING OUT OF IT. I CALLED THE DODGE TOWING SERVICE, AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER THAT I BOUGHT IT AT. THEY "FIXED" THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME I HAD DIRTY GAS PARTICLES. I HAVE HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON 4 TIMES SINCE THAT, AND THE CAR STALLS WHEN IN IDLE WHILE THE LIGHT IS ON. THE DATES ARE AS FOLLOWS 04/14/02, 06/24/02, 01/13/03, 04/07/03, AND 04/29/03. THE DEALER HAS ON THIS LAST ATTEMPT TO FIX MY VEHICLE THAT THE "FIX" THEY HAVE APPLIED AGAIN IS NOT PERMANENT (SAID IT MAY WORK FOR ANOTHER 4 MONTHS) AND THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY ANSWER FOR WHAT THEY NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO MAKE MY VEHICLE A SAFE CAR TO BE IN AGAIN. THEY ARE ADMITTING TO ME THAT THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINE PROBLEM, AND THAT THEY HAVE OTHER CONSUMERS OUT THERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I AM. IN THE MEANTIME, I HAD SENT A LETTER OF DEFECT NOTIFICATION TO THE MANUFACTURER, DATED 04/22/03. THE LETTER WAS SENT CERTIFIED, AND RETURN RECEIPT. I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER THE MORNING OF 04/28/03 CONFIRMING THAT THEY RECEIVED MY LETTER AND PAPERWORK REGARDING THE LEMON LAW. AS OF TODAY, 05/06/03, THE MANUFACTURER IS TELLING MY DEALER SERVICE MANAGER THAT THEY WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO TRADE ME INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT THAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK, DESPITE THE LEMON LAW OF AZ 44-1261. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING THE AZ ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY. THANK YOU. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10017000May 4, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 2003 DODGE STRATUS SXT SEDAN 2.4L. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAPPENED TO NOTICE THAT THERE WAS RUSTING ON THE AXLES & BRAKES TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. THE SECOND DAY I HAD THE CAR IT COMPLETELY SHUT ITSELF DOWN AND WOULDN'T START, IMMEDIATELY MY CAR DEALERSHIP PICKED UP THE CAR AND SAID IT WAS BECAUSE THE BATTERY "DIED". I DID NOT TAKE NOTE OF THE RUSTING BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP SAID "ALL DODGE CARS ARE RUSTED...*ALL*"A MONTH LATER MY CAR STARTED MAKING NOISES TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR SLIGHTLY, THEN IT WAS PROGRESSING TOWARDS JANUARY WITH VIBRATION OF THE CAR PAST 50 MPH, I DECIDED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT BECAME OUT OF HAND AND THEY WERE CLOSED, THEN THE MONDAY THE CAR SHUT ITSELF DOWN AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED INTO PLACE WHILE I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND IT HIT PROBABLY A 5 INCH HIGH CURB..OF COURSE THE "RUSTED" RIGHT FRONT END "AXLE", CONTROL BAR & GEAR CONTROLS BROKE OFF. FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR BECAUSE THIS DEALERSHIP SAYS IN OTHER WORDS THAT WE'RE LYING AND IT ISN'T THEIR FAULT NOR WAS IT A MECHANICAL DEFECT. ALSO I HAVE NOTED THAT MY DOORS DOESN'T CLOSE PROPERLY & MY WINDOWS SLIP OUT OF PLACE. AFTER THE INCIDENT OF MY CAR LOCKING UP AND MY AXLE BEING BROKEN I HAD TO TAKE OUT OF POCKET ONCE AGAIN $1,800 AND THEY FIXED IT..BUT THERE WAS STILL PROBLEMS..THE VIBRATION WAS STILL THERE AND NOW THERE WAS A KNOCKING/CRACKING SOUND TO THE FRONT & REAR ENDS OF THE CAR, AND I MEAN IT WAS LOUD..TOOK THE CAR BACK FOR THE OIL CHANGE AND THEY SAID THEY HEARD NOTHING NOR WAS THERE A VIBRATION!.A MONTH LATER I TOOK THE CAR BACK I SAID THIS WAS RIDICULOUS THAT THIS NOISE IS STILL THERE AND YES OF COURSE WHEN YOU HAVE A HUGE BRAWL AND FIGHT THEY DO FIND THE SO CALLED "PROBLEM"....THE PINS TO HOLD MY BRAKE PADS IN PLACE WEREN'T EVEN THERE!...AND VIBRATION AGAIN? NONE TO BE FOUND...YES I AM THE DRIVER AND THE VIBRATION IS STILL THERE.*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10018092May 2, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILES PARKING THE VEHICLE AND MOVING BACK AND FORTH THE FRONT WHEEL BROKE (SUSPENSION). *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10018097May 2, 2003
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME APART ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE CINCH PLATE. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10018006May 1, 2003
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WITHIN ONE WEEK OF PURCHASE THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. NOW THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL NOT LOOK AT IT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT SHE CAN DO. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016432April 23, 2003
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR, SUSPENSION
VEHICLE MAKES NOISE WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS. ALSO, BLOWER MOTOR ONLY WORKS ON HIGH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10016276April 21, 2003
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
OUR DODGE STRATUS HAD 38,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE SWITCH CONTROLLING THE WIPER BLADES/WASHER SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE WIPERS AND WASHER RAN CONTINUOUSLY. THE WIPERS WERE STOPPED ONLY BY PULLING THE 30 AMP FUSE UNDER THE HOOD. THE PUMP SUPPLYING WASHER FLUID TO THE WINDSHIELD COULD NOT BE STOPPED AT ALL EVEN AFTER IT RAN OUT OF FLUID. WHILE THE FAILURE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR INJURIES, THE FAILURE COULD HAVE LED TO ONE WITH A LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER. THE COST OF THE REPAIR AND THE SWITCH WAS $290.00. NEITHER DAIMLER/CHRYSLER NOR THE SELLING DEALERSHIP WOULD COVER THE COST OF ANY PART OF THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS JUST 2000 MILES AND ONE MONTH BEYOND WARRANTY AND CLEARLY OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF A DEFECT. I AM REPORTING THIS INCIDENT IN THE EVENT THAT ANY OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCE A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10017186April 18, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL (96V006000) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE RECALL WAS FOR THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10015772April 14, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE LOST OIL, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPLIED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE TUBE AND CLAMP. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10015839April 14, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, WHEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB PRIOR TO FIRE, VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND USED A LOT GAS. DIRTY FUEL RAIL WAS REPLACED AND 4 INJECTORS THAT WERE PLUGGED. CONSUMER IS AWARE OF RECALL 96V00600 RELATING TO THIS CONDITION. *TT
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10015524April 9, 2003
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT 8/2002. THREE CHILDREN SEATED IN THE BACK WITH VEHICLE SEAT BELT ON WERE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CHILDREN'S AGES ARE 6, 7, AND 10 YEARS OLD. THE CAR IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE. *NLM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10015525April 9, 2003
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT 8/2002. THREE CHILDREN SEATED IN THE BACK WITH VEHICLE SEAT BELT ON WERE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CHILDREN'S AGES ARE 6, 7, AND 10 YEARS OLD. THE CAR IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE. *NLM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10015468April 9, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THERE WAS A "HISSING" NOISE AND THE PEDAL BECAME INTERMITTENTLY HARD TO PRESS OR WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED A LEAKING BRAKE BOOSTER, HOWEVER A FEW DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10014067April 7, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY 2 MECHANICS THAT I HAVE A HEAD GASKET LEAK. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND HAS 37,250 MILES. THE REPAIR COST IS 7-8 HUNDRED DOLLARS. I AM RETIRED, ON A FIXED INCOME AND FEEL CHRYSLER CORPORATION SHOULD REPAIR THIS DEFECT.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10011796April 2, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
DEFECTIVE TIMING BELT TENSION. PH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10013612March 28, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL LEAK IN MY 1998 DODGE STRATUS AFTER ONLY 35,000 MILES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10014591March 27, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK, IT WAS SOON DISCOVERED THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10011738March 27, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLES HEAD GASKET FAILED AND THE MANIFOLD CRACKED. *NLM *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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