Dodge Stratus Complaints

2,721 consumer complaints on file.

#10020215June 26, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB. THE ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED BEFORE 4000 MILES. PH *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10018172June 26, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKES MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED WHICH WAS EITHER CAUSED BY THE CALIPERS OR THE BRAKE HOSE COLLAPSING PER THE MECHANIC. THE ROTORS WERE TURNED, HOWEVER IT DID NOT REMEDY THE GRINDING NOISE, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND A SMELL OF METAL RUBBING WHEN BRAKING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST. *TT *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023734June 25, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
BOUGHT A CAR FROM DODGE IN LUBBOCK TX HAVE NOT RECEIVED MT PLATES OR STICKER FOR THE CAR CALLED DODGE AND THEY TOLD ME SOMEONE ELSE HAS MY PLATES AND STICKERS AND THERE FINANCE COMP HAS OUR TITLE. I DARE NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AND I AM PAYING FOR A CAR I CANNOT DRIVE I HAVE CALLED DODGE AND I AM NOT GETTING ANYWHERE COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS MATTER. ALSO THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE MY VIN NUMBER ON THERE CAR. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023777June 25, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD CASKET IS BLOWN, CAUSING MAJOR OIL LEAKAGE. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023616June 23, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE A 2.4 LITER 4-CYLINDER DODGE STRATUS THAT HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS DEVELOPED A HEAD GASKET LEAK. I'VE OBTAINED SEVERAL ESTIMATES RANGING FROM $700-$950 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. DAIMLER CHRYSLER WILL NOT ISSUE ANY TYPE OF RECALL FOR THIS CAR OR MANY OTHER MODELS LIKE THE BREEZE, NEON, AVENGER AND CIRRUS. THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN FOR SOME TIME YET THEY REFUSE TO COVER THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY NOR HAVE THEY ATTEMPTED TO REDESIGN THESE ENGINES SO THE HEAD GASKETS DON'T LEAK. WHEN YOU PUT AN ALUMINUM HEAD ON A CAST-IRON BLOCK, THERE WILL BE LEAKS. THE TWO DIFFERENT METALS HAVE TOO MANY DIFFERENCES IN HOW THEY REACT TO TEMPERATURE CHANGES. AS LONG AS THESE METALS ARE PAIRED TOGETHER (AND THE UNSUSPECTING PUBLIC KEEPS BUYING THIS ILL-THOUGHT-OUT DESIGN) THERE WILL BE LEAKS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023622June 23, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR (DODGE STRATUS 1999) AFTER I PARKED IT AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION OF ANYTHING AMISS. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE, BUT I AM TOLD THE CAR CANNOT BE REPAIRED. I HAVE HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON THIS CAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023331June 18, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STEERING:COLUMN, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I PURCHASED A USED 2001 DODGE STRATUS IN FEBRUARY 2003. THE CAR HAD A TOTAL OF 48702 MILES. WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK, THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE FRONT BRAKES WAS MISSING SOME TYPE OF BRAKES CLIPS. THIS WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THEIR WAS ALSO A NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEIR WAS NO PROBLEM LOCATED AND THAT IT WAS JUST THE TIRES RUBBING THE PAVEMENT WHEN TURNING. WITHIN 85 DAYS, THE CAR LOST SPEED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT MOVE. IT TOOK ONE HOUR TO COAST 2.5 MILES TO HOME. I LATER HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CALLED THE NEXT DAY TO TELL US THAT WE NEED A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF THE TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE PUMP AND CONVERTER. A COST OF $2000. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH ANY OTHER BRAND OF USED CARS EVEN WITH HIGH MILEAGE. THIS CAR WAS DRIVEN LESS THAN 90 DAYS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT HAD THE CAR MALFUNCTION WITH THE FIRST 60 DAYS, THEN THEY WOULD HAVE REPAIR IT. THE CAR HAS 55225 MILES AS OF TODAY'S DATE. THIS IS A MAJOR REPAIR THAT IS WELL DOCUMENTED AS A PROBLEM WITH DODGE/CHRYSLER VEHICLE. WE CALLED THE CHRYSLER CONSUMER SERVICES HOTLINE AND WAS TOLD THAT WE HAD TO WORK SOMETHING OUT WITH THE DEALERSHIP AS TO THE REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH US TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM AT OUR EXPENSE. WE ARE NOT AGREEING TO THIS ARRANGEMENT AND IS WAITING FOR HIGHER MANAGEMENT TO INTERVENE.. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023101June 15, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTO TRANSMISSION DESTROYED ITSELF WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES ON CAR. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023997June 13, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10022757June 10, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD CASKET BLEW OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL LEAKING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10021297June 9, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TOOK MY '99 STRATUS TO MY MECHANIC FOR AN OIL LEAK. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AND THAT IS COMMON IN THAT YEAR. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS CONFIRMING THIS. I CALLED DODGE AND THEY DENY HAVING ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS AND OTHER SITES HE AGAIN DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF IT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT'S MY PROBLEM NOT THEIRS. AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE THERE IS NO WAY I WILL EVER BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT AGAIN AND I DON'T THINK ANYONE SHOULD.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10022458June 5, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
AFTER RE-FUELING THE VEHICLE, IT SHUT OFF. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10021059June 4, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSAXLE OFTEN SLIPS AND FAILS TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE. EVENTUALLY, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10020952June 3, 2003
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WASHER JETS AND HOSES FOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE CLOGGING AND RESULT IN SYSTEM FAILURE TO OPERATE. THIS TOOK THREE SERVICE CALLS TO RESOLVE AND SHOULD BE COVERED AS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE MOTOR THAT OPERATES THE SPRAYERS LAST YEAR AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. PER DEALERSHIP, THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN AND HAS NOT BEEN PUBLISHED WHICH MEANS OWNERS ARE BEING FORCED TO PAY FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10019213May 24, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
"THE FAMOUS HEAD GASKET FAILURE THAT NOBODY WANTS TO TOUCH". YES, I HAVE A 98 DODGE STRATUS THAT IS LEAKING AT THE HEAD GASKET. I HAD TO BUY ONE OF THOSE FLAT PANS TO CATCH THE OIL IN WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. MY 2 YEAR OLD GOT OUT THERE THE OTHER DAY AND DECIDED TO PLAY IN THE USED OIL. IS THIS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE? HAVING TO KEEP A PAN OF DIRTY OIL UNDER A CAR? I DRAIN IT ONCE A WEEK AND GET AT LEAST 1 QUART. (AND HAVE TO PAY TO DISPOSE OF IT) COME ON HERE! SO, ON TOP OF THE FIRE HAZARD (HOT OIL ON A HOT CATALYST), NOW WE HAVE POISONING ISSUES WITH OUR CHILDREN. IS ANYBODY GOING TO HELP US, OR SHOULD WE JUST START THE WHOLE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT? I AM SURE THERE ARE ENOUGH PEOPLE HERE TO BACK ME UP ON THIS. ACCORDING TO ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS HERE, DODGE ALREADY KNOWS ABOUT IT AND MADE A STRONGER GASKET TO REPLACE IT WITH. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10019204May 23, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER FAN SWITCH ONLY WORKS ON HIGH SPEED, AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT COOL WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES--THIS CREATES A PROBLEM IN THE SUMMER SINCE I LIVE IN TEXAS AND THE SUMMERS ARE VERY HOT DOWN HERE. ALSO DRIVERS SIDE DOOR PANEL HAS JAMMED SEVER TIMES WHEN IT IS OPENED, PLASTIC CLIPS HOLDING DOOR WERE COMING OFF, THIS CAUSES THE DOOR TO JAM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10020160May 20, 2003
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVER SIDE, SLID FORWARD AND BECAME TANGLED IN THE STEERING UNIVERSAL JOINT. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE HARD TO TURN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10020226May 20, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
AFTER THE RECALL REGARDING THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS REPAIRED, IT THEN FAILED. RECALL # 97 V 201 000. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10018881May 18, 2003
STRUCTURE
2002 STRATUS MAKES LOUD NOISE WHEN TURNING VEHICLE AND GOING ACROSS ROAD BUMPS AT SAME TIME. OUR DRIVE HAS A 6 IN SLOPED CURB THAT WHEN PULLING OUT OF, OR PULLING INTO, IS A CONSTANT SOURCE OF THIS NOISE. DEALER SERVICE TECH WENT ON TEST RIDE WITH ME HEARD THE NOISE AND COULD NOT FIND SOURCE. HE WANTED TO KEEP CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS TO DETERMINE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10019474May 14, 2003
CHILD SEAT
NO PROBLEM OR DEFECT WRITTEN IN DESCRIPTION FIELD. (MODEL/7499AE SWINGRIDE) MR SCC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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