Dodge Stratus Complaints

2,721 consumer complaints on file.

#10479286October 8, 2012
SUSPENSION
DRIVING OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE CAR REAR SUSPENSION MADE A CLANGING NOISE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE LEFT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER TOP MOUNT IS BROKEN, AND THE SHOCK IS LOOSE AND RATTLING, NOT PERFORMING ITS FUNCTION TO STABILIZER THE VEHICLE OVER STANDARD ROAD CONDITIONS. LOSS OF SUSPENSION DURING BRAKING MANEUVER ON WET ROADS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT FROM LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472489August 26, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
TRUNK FALLS CONTINUALLY AFTER STAYING IN UPRIGHT POSITION FOR A FEW SECONDS OR MINUTES. EVERYONE OF MY FAMILY HAS BEEN INJURED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR 2 WEEKS AGO. I NOW HAVE A 6 INCH DIAMETER BRUISE ON MY ARM FROM THE LATEST INCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#10472051August 23, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE, CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL POLICE OFFICER WHO STATED THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,565.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10471854August 22, 2012
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN HE SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD CLUNK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SHEARED AND THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE OWNERS HOME AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,906.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10469322August 6, 2012
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT WITHOUT WARNING AS SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V299002 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468522July 31, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
TRUNK DOOR DESIGN HAS A DEFECT THAT WILL CAUSE THE TRUNK DOOR TO SLAM DOWN WITH EXCESSIVE AND UNIMPEDED FORCE WITHOUT WARNING AND WILL DO SO ON ITS OWN, EVEN IN CALM WINDS. MULTIPLE INCIDENT HAVE OCCURRED WHERE THE TRUNK DOOR HAS SLAMMED DOWN WHILE THE DRIVER OR THE PASSENGER WAS REACHING INTO THE TRUNK TO RETRIEVE ARTICLES FROM THE TRUNK. CURRENTLY THE ONLY WAY TO SAFELY USE THE TRUNK IS TO HAVE A SECOND PERSON HOLD THE TRUNK DOOR WHILE THE FIRST PERSON PLACES OR RETRIEVES ARTICLES FROM THE TRUNK. INJURIES THAT HAVE OCCURRED WERE MOMENTARY BACK PAIN AND ON ONE OCCASION A CONCUSSION (WHEN THE TRUNK DOOR HIT THE VEHICLE OWNER IN THE HEAD). NONE OF THE INJURIES REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. PROBLEM GETS WORSE WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE (PARTICULARLY IF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IS FACING DOWNHILL), EVEN IF THE INCLINE IS SLIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10468192July 30, 2012
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
HEARD A POP, PULLED OVER AND THE TIRES ARE IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAY NO RECALLS ON THIS VIN, HOWEVER, THE PARTS IT SEEMS WERE RECALLED FOR OTHER VIN NUMBERS ON THIS VEHICLE. SPECIFICALLY RECALL ID 79805 AND RECALL ID 86458. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467884July 26, 2012
ENGINE, STEERING
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467712July 25, 2012
SUSPENSION
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGH WAY WHEN I HEARD A BANG AND THE CAR PULLED ME HARD INTO THE MEDIUM AT 75 MILES AN HOUR. I TOTALED MY CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE BALL JOINT HAS SHEARED OFF CAUSING THE TIRE TO JAM IN TO THE FENDER. FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET OF THE ROAD AND IT WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS TIME IT WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. MY 3 YOUNG KIDS WHERE IN THE BACK SEAT AND COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10466798July 20, 2012
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I CALLED TO CHECK ON THE RECALL STATUS OF MY CAR. I WENT ONLINE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS RECALLS. THE DEALERSHIP I CALLED SAID IT SHOWS MY CAR HAS BEEN CLEARED OF ALL RECALLS; HOWEVER, I HAVE NEVER TAKEN MY CAR IN TO HAVE A RECALL FIXED. WHO UPDATES THIS INFORMATION?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10463336June 27, 2012
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE BALL AND AXLE JOINTS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER AND STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10461927June 15, 2012
SUSPENSION, AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING
I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS NOW. FIRST IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT. THEN A YEAR LATER IT WAS THE BALL JOINT ON THE DRIVER SIDE PLUS THE CONTROL ARM. THEN IT WAS THE BRAKES AND ROTORS. THEN RIGHT AFTER THAT I FIND OUT THE BALL JOINT I HAD JUST REPLACED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN! NOW MY OIL LIGHT COMES ON AT IDLE AFTER THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP. HAD THE OIL CHANGED AS ALWAYS BETWEEN 2000 AND 3000 MILES AS I SHOULD. HAD THE OIL SENDING UNIT REPLACED AND STILL HAVE A OIL LIGHT ON WITH A FULL ENGINE OF OIL. NOW MY STEERING COLUMN JUST TODAY MADE A CRACKING SOUND AS I WAS BACKING UP WITH THE WHEEL TURNING TO THE LEFT. THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WONT GO OFF. NOW MY STEERING IS STIFF. TALKED TO A MECHANIC AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457242May 3, 2012
SUSPENSION
I HAVE BEEN HEARING A TERRIBLE NOISE EVERYTIME I TURN MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS. OFTEN TIMES I CAN'T EVEN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED AND I FOUND OUT THAT I HAVE TO HAVE MY FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM/BALL JOINT REPLACED BECAUSE IT FAILED. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THIS ITEM WAS RECALLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456795April 29, 2012
SUSPENSION, STEERING
MY 2006 DODGE STRATUS REAR STRUT MOUNT PLATES ARE DISINTEGRATED. HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR A YEAR AND I TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION AND THE GARAGE SAID I WAS VERY LUCKY I HADN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE TIE ROD WAS FALLING APART. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 2 CHILDREN AND I AM VERY FORTUNATE THAT NOTHING HAPPENED. AFTER BEING TOLD BY THE GARAGE ABOUT THIS I DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET TO FIND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE REAR STRUT MOUNTS FALLING APART AND LITERALLY CRUMBLING. YET I CAN NOT FIND IT ON A RECALL LIST. DODGE NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM. I HOPE THIS IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE IS PURSUED BY THE SAFETY COMMISSION SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. I ONLY HAD THE MONEY TO FIX THE TIE ROD. NOW SOME HOW SOON I HAVE TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY FOR THE STRUT MOUNT PLATES, NEED TO BE REPLACED SO I CAN DRIVE THIS CAR SAFELY WITH MY 2 CHILDREN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456550April 26, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HER, CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10456396April 24, 2012
STRUCTURE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
04/20/2012 DROVE OUT OF DRIVE WAY DOWN HEADING DOWN THE STREET TO STOP SIGN *(CUL-DE-SAC) HEARD SOMETHING LIKE A BANG...DROVE BACK IN TO DRIVE WAY. OPEN HOOD...FOUND AN OPEN GAP ON LEFT SIDE OF COVER SHOWING TIME CHAIN EXPOSED...HAD A MECHANIC LOOK OVER CAR, WHILE HE WAS CHECKING UNDER THE ENGINE , RELEASING A FEW BOLTS TO REPAIR SAW TIMING CHAIN GUIDE HAD BROKEN OFF CAUSING TIME CHAIN SHIFT AND GO OUT OF POSITION CAUSING THE COVER TO BUST OPEN...I WAS TOLD VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE . PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2011 FAILED COMPONENTS TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDE AND PULLEY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453891April 3, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY SON DROVE MY CAR A SHORT DISTANCE AND PARKED IT AT A RESTAURANT. HE WAS INFORMED WITHIN MINUTES THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPT. EXTINQUISHED AN ENGINE COMPATMENT FIRE. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. HAPPENED IN AKRON OHIO APPROX. NOV. 2011. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453099March 26, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES, WHICH ORIGINATED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND REMAINED AT THE RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453148March 26, 2012
STRUCTURE
I OWN A 2003 DODGE STRATUS COUPE IN WHICH THE DASHBOARD IS WARPING AND COMING A LOOSE. I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN 2008 IN GREAT CONDITION, HOWEVER AFTER OWNING IT FOR A FEW MONTHS THE DASHBOARD STARTED PULLING AWAY FROM THE SPEEDOMETER, THE AIR CONDITION VENTS AND OTHER PLACES ON THE BOARD. JUST RECENTLY, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO SPREAD AND NOW THE GLOVE DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED UNHINGE ITSELF. THIS HAS BECOME VERY UNSETTLING BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THAT THE AIRBAG WHICH IS ONLY A FEW INCHES ABOVE THE GLOVE DEPARTMENT WILL EVENTUALLY DEPLOY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THAT SEVERAL OWNERS OF CAR ARE FACING THE SAME PROBLEM. NOT MENTION, I HAVE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT A WHITE FILM APPEARS ON THE INTERIOR OF THE WINDOW ABOVE THE DASH WHICH CAUSES A GLARE AND A IMPAIRMENT WHEN I DRIVE. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY WIPE AND CLEAN THE INSIDE WINDOW WHEN I DRIVE IN ORDER TO SEE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN CONDENSATION BUILDS UP ON THE INSIDE. AND THE CONDENSATION BUILDS UP BECAUSE THE DASHBOARD HAS FLIPPED UP TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CONSTANTLY WIPE THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AS IF I'M A HUMAN WIPER BLADE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10450642March 7, 2012
SUSPENSION
CAR IS MAKING CRUNCHING SOUNDS IN REAR. BROUGHT INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON ROUTE 38, LUMBERTON NJ 08060 AND WAS TOLD IT'S THE REAR SUSPENSION/STRUTS ETC AND WOULD COST $1100.00 TO FIX. MY SISTER HAS THE SAME CAR, SAME YEAR AND HERS BROKE LAST YEAR. I THEN LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE PARTS THAT WERE PUT ONTO CAR DURING ASSEMBLY LINE WERE LIKE PLASTIC AND THEY CRUMBLE AND CAUSE THE WHOLE REAR TO FALL, CAUSE ACCIDENTS, CAUSE TIRES TO FLY OFF THE CAR AND DEATHS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IMMEDIATELY. MY MOM IS VERY ANGRY. SHE PAID FOR BOTH CARS AND WONT BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN MADE CAR AGAIN UNLESS THEY RECALL THIS ISSUE. SHE CALLED DODGE HEADQUARTERS 800 NUMBER AND SPOKE TO [XXX] AND HE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Dodge Stratus