Dodge Stratus Complaints

2,721 consumer complaints on file.

#10116972March 28, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OR MORE. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY BE INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION BECAUSE OF THIS CONDITION. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115962March 28, 2005
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
JACKING 2004 DODGE STRATUS. I USED THE JACK THAT WAS SUPPLIED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO JACK MY CAR TO ROTATE MY TIRES. THE REAR JACK POINTS (AS OUTLINED BY THE OWNER'S MANUAL) WERE USED. THE JACK POINTS ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE CAR. THE CAR WILL SLIDE (CAR WAS ON LEVEL SURFACE). I BROUGHT MY CAR TO HENDRICKS DODGE IN CARY NC AND WE LOOKED AT FIVE OTHER DODGE STRATUS. EACH ONE WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. THE CONCLUSION WAS THAT THE DODGE REP NEEDED TO BE CONTACTED. TODAY, DODGE IS STATING THAT THE JACK AND JACK POINTS ON THE 2004 DODGE STRATUS ARE TO BE USED ONLY FOR EMERGENCY USE. THE JACK AND JACK POINTS ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR JACKING THE CAR FOR TIRE ROTATIONS. I FEEL THAT THERE IS A DANGER THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT, ESPECIALLY IF THEY JACK THEIR CAR ON THE SIDE OF A ROAD TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114835March 27, 2005
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
I HAD A 2000 DODGE STRATUS UNTIL TODAY. TODAY, MARCH 27TH, 2005, MY STRATUS HAD A HYDRAULIC LINE FOR THE POWER STEERING RUPTURE AND CAUSED MY ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CATCH FIRE. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, I HAD OBSERVED POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE LINE FITTING AND THE LEAK FLUID DROPPED ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE BELOW. I BOUGHT THE REPLACEMENT HOSE. HOWEVER, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE I GOT A CHANCE TO REPLACE LEAKY POWER STEERING HOSE. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT HAD A RECALL, OR WHAT I MIGHT DO TO RESEARCH THIS MORE AND FIND OUT IF SOMEHOW THIS IS A DEFECT, BECAUSE I KNOW SOMEONE THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE, BUT CAUGHT IT IN TIME AND HAD IT REPAIRED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND READING THIS E-MAIL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114763March 26, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
AT AROUND 32,000 MILES THE BRAKE SHOE BOLTS BROKE, AND THE SHOE GOT CAUGHT IN THE RIM CAUSING 1: THE RIM (INSIDE) TO GRIND AGINST THE SHOE AND FOREVER CHANGING THE SHAPE OF THE RIM. 2: BENDING THE CALLIPER. AND 3: HAVING THE BREAKS GRIND THE ROTOR IN AN UNUSUAL MANNER IN WHICH THEY NEEDED TO BE GRINDED DOWN. I WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR THE STOP LIGHT (SPEED LIMIT WAS 25, I WAS GOING MAYBE 20), AND STARTED TO BREAK, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT. IT WAS A VERY VIOLENT STOP. FOR A SECOND, I THOUGHT THAT I MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN A FLAT TIRE, BUT I GOT OUT SIDE OF THE CAR AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK, AND TURNING ON MY HAZZARDS. LOOKING AT THE FRONT LEFT TIRE, I SAW THAT IT WAS FINE, LOOKED AT ALL OF THE OTHER TIRES, AND THEY ARE ALL FINE AS WELL. GOT BACK INTO THE CAR, AND PUT IT IN DRIVE. CAR DIDNT MOVE. PUT IT IN REVERSE...CAR DIDNT MOVE EITHER. WONDERING WHAT WAS HAPPENING, I PUT THE CAR AGAIN, IN PARK, AND LOOKED AT THE TIRES AGAIN. I NOTICED AT THIS TIME THAT SOMETHING LOOKED DIFFERENT WITH THE RIM. I GOT IN FOR A CLOSER LOOK, AND NOTICED IT WAS PRETTY BADLY DAMAGED. I PROCEEDED TO LIFT THE CAR, TAKE THE TIRE OFF, AND AS SOON AS I TOOK THE TIRE OFF, THE SHOE WAS HANGING AND WASNT BOLTED IN WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. HOLY CRAP, WAS I MAD. THEN WENT INTO ADVANCE AUTO, TO GET REPLACEMENT BOLTS, AND FOUND SOME, ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER BECAUSE THEY DIDNT HAVE ANY IN STOCK, AND THEY HAD TO CALL AROUND. AFTER PUTTING THE BOLTS ON, I DROVE HOME AT ABOUT 20 MPH, USING ABOUT HALF AND HALF (BRAKES AND E-BRAKE). I DID NOT WANT THAT TO EVER HAPPEN AGAIN. A DAY AFTER THAT HAPPEND I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM FIX THE PROBLEM. I ASKED THEM TO FIX IT ANYWAYS. TOTAL BILL WAS AROUND $130. $112 BEING LABOR, AND $18 FOR THE BOLTS AND OTHER PARTS. WHAT REALLY BURNS ME UP, IS THAT THIS SHOULDNT HAVE HAPPEND FOR ONE, AND I'M SOL FOR MY RIM AND CALLIPER. IT STILL MAKES A SCRAPING SOUND WHEN I MAKE TURNS AS WELL.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115899March 25, 2005
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS INOPERATIVE. THE BUCKLE DOES NOT LOCK. DRIVER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK....A PENNY WAS FOUND STUCK IN THE RECEIVER. ONCE REMOVED THE SEAT BELT PERFORMED PERFECTLY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115823March 24, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVINGIN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD POP UP AND STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE DRIVER DROVE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115491March 21, 2005
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10115259March 16, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V021000 CONCERNING FLOOR SHIFT IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK. AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED THE PROBLEM RECURRED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115263March 16, 2005
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
A CLANKING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. RIGHT FRONT SIDE COLLAPSED ONTO THE GROUND. VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE, AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING KNUCKLE SHEARED OFF AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115630March 15, 2005
AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY
THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT AN AIR BAG ON/OFF SWITCH BE INSTALLED IN HER 2000 DODGE STRATUS. *NM *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115179March 15, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE RESIDENCE AND FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DRIVER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR RECENT REPAIR PRIOT TO THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109019March 15, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED AS IF IT HAD STRUCK A POT HOLE. CONSUMER GOT OUT TO CHECK THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS NEARLY OFF. THE BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED.*AK THE MANUFACTURE OFFERS NO ASSISTANCE. REAR UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED AND 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT PERFORMED. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114005March 12, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
2001 DODGE STRATUS WAS HIT ON PASSENGER SIDE BY A JEEP CHEROKEE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE DOOR SETUP IN THE STRATUS WAS NOT AT ALL EFFECTIVE. NOT ONLY DID THE DOOR PROVIDE ABSOLUTELY NO PROTECTION TO A PASSENGER HAD THERE BEEN ONE, BUT THE ENTIRE DOOR WAS FORCED INTO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE INTRUDING DOOR STRUCK AND INJURED THE DRIVER IN THE CAR. WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE STRUCTURAL DESIGN IN THE DOOR, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SECURED TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. REGARDLESS, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN FATAL TO ANYONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. CHANGES SHOULD BE MADE TO NEW MODELS. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE CAR. HOW CAN DAIMLERCHRYSLER SACRIFICE A HUNDRED OR TWO POUNDS OF SOLID STEEL AND HUNDRED OF PRECIOUS LIVES TO GET ANOTHER MILE TO THE GALLON? THAT PASSENGER SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME, BUT I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE GOING OUT THAT NIGHT. LITTLE DID I KNOW, THAT HAD I LEFT MY HOUSE, I WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY. PLEASE HELP ME CORRECT THESE AWFUL FLAWS IN TODAY'S COMPACT AND MIDSIZE CARS.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10112783March 9, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THE CAR WOULD START TO BOUNCE DOWN TO FIRST GEAR AND NOW WILL NOT COME OUT OF FIRST GEAR.I HAVE TRIED TO HAVE IT WORKED ON BUT THE TRANSMITION SHOP COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM EITHER!!!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105152March 8, 2005
SEATS, STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
01V005002/SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT MOVES WHEN BRAKING. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO WAS TELLING CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE DESCRIBED WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. ALSO VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING STIFF STEERING. WHEN TURNING LEFT, DRIVER CAN FEEL A RUBBING NOISE THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAN ONLY BE FELT WHEN THE DRIVER IS MAKING A LEFT TURN. *AK *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112615March 6, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT WITH RESPECT TO A 1995 DODGE STRATUS. THE DODGE STRATUS IS EQUIPPED WITH A DEVICE WHICH I ASSUME IS TIED IN WITH THE CAR'S ELECTRONICS OR COMPUTER. THE PURPOSE OF THIS SPECIFIC DEVICE IS TO MONITOR THE OPERATION OF THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION SO THAT WHENEVER THE TRANSMISSION IS UNDER STRESS OR IS NOT OPERATING AS DESIGNED OR INTENDED (OR AT LEAST THE THE COMPUTER SURMISES THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT OPERATING NORMALLY OR UP TO STANDARD), THE COMPUTER WHENEVER THAT OCCURS AUTOMATICALLY DOWNSHIFTS THE DODGE STRATUS TO 2ND GEAR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING OR NOTICE WHATSOEVER TO THE DRIVER AND THE DODGE REMAINS IN 2ND GEAR UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE DODGE IS BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP AND UNTIL THE ENGINE IS COMPLETELY TURNED OFF. IF YOU THEN ALLOW THE DODGE ENGINE TO REMAIN OFF FOR 3 OR 4 MINUTES AND THEN TURN THE ENGINE BACK ON AGAIN, THE CAR WILL PERFORM NORMALLY AGAIN AND WITHOUT INCIDENT AT SPEEDS UP TO 40 OR 50 OR 60 MILES PER HOUR UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE COMPUTER, ONCE AGAIN, SUCCUMBS TO THE URGE TO DOWNSHIFT TO 2ND GEAR. AT THAT POINT, THE DRIVER FINDS HIMSELF IN 2ND GEAR AND WITH NO VIABLE ALTERNATIVE BUT TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE ONCE AGAIN. TO COMPREHEND WHAT THAT PREDICAMENT IS LIKE FROM THE DRIVER?S POINT OF VIEW, ONE HAS ONLY TO ENVISION YOURSELF ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE OR THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH DOZENS AND DOZENS OF 18 WHEELER TRUCKS ALL GOING 55AND 65 MILES AN HOUR WHEN, OUT OF THE BLUE, THE COMPUTER ON THE DODGE STRATUS DECIDES TO DOWNSHIFT TO 20 MILES AN HOUR AND THE NEAREST 18 WHEELER TRUCK IS ONLY 10 FEET BEHIND YOU AND DOING 60 MILES AN HOUR. IN THAT SCENARIO, THE POSSIBILITIES FOR A HORRIBLE AND CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT COSTING DOZENS OF LIVES IS APPARENT---ALL BECAUSE THE ONBOARD COMPUTER ON THE DODGE STRATUS DECIDED ON ITS OWN TO DOWNSHIFT TO 2ND GEAR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10080128March 2, 2005
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS INJURED, AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL ON HER OWN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK *TC
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10112369March 1, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET LEAKING AT 58,000 MILES. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO FIX EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE SEEN OVER 100 POSTS ONLINE ABOUT OTHER THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112079February 24, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE FAILED AFTER 50,000 MILES, CAR OUT OF WARRANTY. OIL CHANGED VERY FREQUENT. AUTO MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. ALSO MILEAGE INCORRECT ON ODOMETER WHEN CAR WAS PURCHASED USED IN MAY 2004 CAR DEALER ALSO DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR INACCURATE ODOMETER. ALL I ASKED FOR WAS A COST CONSIDERATION IN REPLACING ENGINE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111826February 19, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
RELIABLE MECHANICS REFUSED TO CHANGE THE OIL ON MY 2003 DODGE STRATUS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AN ENGINE WHICH HAS ONLY 47,200 MILES ON IT.MECHANICS STATE THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE AND SLUDGE BUILD UP, AND IT IS LIKELY TO NEED REPAIRS OF THE ENGINE, RANGING FROM $3,000 AND UP, SOON. AS I'VE DONE SOME INVESTIGATING, I HAVE SEEN THIS AS A MAJOR PROBLEM. WE ARE FAITHFUL WITH OUR OIL CHANGES, AND FEEL THIS COMPANY NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ENGINE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND I HAVE BEEN READING THAT THESE ENGINES JUST DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING. DODGE WILL HAVE A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM IF SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE OF THEIR CARELESSNESS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I REALLY FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADRESSED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE OR SOME FAMILY GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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