Dodge Stratus Complaints

2,721 consumer complaints on file.

#10235947July 27, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I AM WRITING ON BEHALF OF THE ISSUE CONCERNING SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF MITSUBISHI/DODGE VEHICLES CONTAINING THE F4A51 AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE (2000-05 ECLIPSE, 2001-05 STRATUS RT, 1997-2003 V6 GALANT) THE MAIN ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE WAVE/CUSHION SPRING LOCATED IN THE TRANSMISSION. MITSUBISHI HAS DESIGNED THE WAVE SPRING AS A FRAGILE TWO COIL PIECE WHICH HAS BEEN KNOWN TO REPEATEDLY BREAK CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IN TURN POSES A THREAT ON THE DRIVER/PASSENGERS AS WHEN THIS WAVE SPRING BREAKS, ACTUAL PIECES OF THE SPRING MAKE IT THROUGH MITSUBISHI'S ALSO FAULTY TRANSMISSION FILTER AND LODGE THEMSELVES IN THE PUMP GEAR, CAUSING THE GEAR TO BREAK. WHEN BROKEN, ALL FORWARD AND REVERSE GEARS IMMEDIATELY STOP FUNCTIONING AND IN MOST INSTANCES THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THIS COULD RESULT IN POTENTIAL HARM OR EVEN DEATH OF THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER AS THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL MOVING POWER WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. MITSUBISHI HAS RECENTLY CREATED AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE WAVE SPRING WITHOUT ISSUING A RECALL, A NOW ONE PIECE DESIGN INSTEAD OF A COIL SETUP WHICH IS PRONE TO BREAKING. TO MANY MITSUBISHI/DODGE OWNERS THIS UPDATE WAS DISCOVERED AFTER THEY HAVE HAD THEIR VEHICLE IN A TRANSMISSION SHOP WITH A HEFTY BILL TO PAY EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MITSUBISHI'S FAULT FOR ENGINEERING A FAULTY PART. ALL ONE PERSON WOULD NEED TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS ISSUE IS SEARCH THE INTERNET WITH THE TRANSMISSION CODE F4A51 AND THIS ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED, EVEN RESEARCHED BY TRANSMISSION DIGEST. NOT ONLY IS THIS A LARGE INCONVENIENCE TO MOST, IT IS ALSO A HAZARD TO ONES LIFE. MITSUBISHI SHOULD RECALL ALL VEHICLES CONTAINING THE F4A51 TRANSMISSION TO PERFORM THE WAVE SPRING AND FILTER UPDATE OR REIMBURSE THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD IT DONE AT THEIR COST. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS IF YOU OWN A VEHICLE WITH THE F4A51 YOUR VEHICLE WILL EVENTUALLY NEED THIS REPAIR, IF YOU ARE STILL AROUND TO DO IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235882July 26, 2008
STRUCTURE
CLEAR COAT ON BLACK PAINT HAS TURNED WHITE AND FLAKING OFF. STARTED ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR IN THE FALL OF 2006. DEALER AND LETTER TO MANUFACTURER BOTH OFFERED NO HELP. THE CLEAR COAT PROBLEM HAS SPREAD TO THE HOOD, SIDES, AND TRUNK ALSO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235771July 25, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR FRAME TO SUSPENSION MOUNT HAS BROKE. THE SHOCK INSIDE THE COIL THEN WAS ABLE TO GET LODGED INTO THE SPRING. THIS MADE THE SUSPENSION STUCK/IMMOBILE. THE VEHICLE WAS 3-WHEELING AROUND CORNERS ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE WERE TOLD THE PART WAS BACK-ORDERED TO THE FACTORY AND WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT ANY OTHER DEALERSHIP ACROSS THE US. WAIT TIME FOR THE NEW PART IS MORE THAN A MONTH. I WORK FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIER. IF ITS THIS HARD TO GET A PART, SOMETHING MORE IS WRONG. HOW MANY OTHERS ARE SUFFERING OUR FATE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235606July 24, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR, EQUIPMENT
2004 DODGE STRATUS 67,000 MILES THE REAR STRUT TOWER BROKE OFF OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO CORROSION CAUSING THE TOWER TO BECOME LODGED INTO THE TIRE, DAMAGING THE TIRE, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE WAS CAUGHT PRIOR TO AN ACCIDENT. CHRYSLER IS UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND FOR THESE PARTS, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NATIONAL BACK-ORDER ON THE REAR STRUT MOUNTS AND MOUNTING PLATES AND THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A TIME AS TO WHEN MY VEHICLE CAN BE REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235451July 23, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A VEHICLE TWO VEHICLE LENGTHS BEFORE HIM, CAUSED HIM TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FRONT OF HIS HOOD WAS JAMMED UNDER THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. A PASSERBY INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE OTHER VEHICLE AS WELL. BOTH VEHICLES BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AND FILED REPORTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VIN AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10235102July 21, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE PARKED AT A STORE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE'S HOOD CAUGHT FIRE. THE PUERTO RICO POLICE DEPARTMENT FILED REPORT NUMBER 200835803237. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE HER INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE AND FORWARD THEM THE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235053July 20, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
ON 7-12-08 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME AND GOT LESS THAN 1/4 MILE AWAY, GOING AROUND A CURVE AT 45MPH. SHE HEARD A NOISE POP AND THEN A RUB. SHE PROCEEDED TO THE DRIVE AND INTO THE GARAGE. SHE CAME INTO THE HOUSE, GOT ME AND I LOOKED AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHAT I FOUND WAS THE UPPER STRUT MOUNT ON THE REAR RIGHT SIDE IS ROTTED OUT BECAUSE IT WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM (WHICH REACTS WITH STEEL AND ROAD SALT). THE STRUT BROKE FREE AND RUBBED A 3/16" GROOVE INTO THE TIRE. ALSO LOOKING AT THE LEFT SIDE IT IS ALSO ROTTED OR CORRODED. I AM PRETTY UPSET ABOUT THIS FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST, IF SHE WERE TRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE 69 AT 70 MPH AND IT BROKE FREE, THE TIRE WOULD OF BEEN CUT IN HALF. PROBABLY SENDING THE CAR INTO A SPIN INTO THE DITCH, OTHER CARS, OR A GUARD RAIL. THIS WOULD OF BEEN DISASTROUS LET ALONE HAVING SOME KIDS IN THE CAR. SECOND, I CALLED THREE DEALERSHIPS IN THE FORT WAYNE AREA ON 7-14-08, ONE TOLD ME THERE ARE 1200 ON BACK ORDER. ONE SAID THERE ARE 1300 ON BACK ORDER. ONE SAID THERE ARE 9000 ON BACK ORDER. ALL OF THEM SAID THEY WOULD NOT COME IN UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST. I ORDERED 2 REAR STRUT MOUNTS ON 7-14-08 AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING AS OF 7-20-08. WHAT IS A PERSON TO DO WITHOUT A CAR FOR ONE MONTH? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234755July 18, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAR STALLS, SPUTTERS, JUMPS, KICKS AND ALL WITHOUT WARNING. SHAKES A BIT WHILE DRIVING BUT REALLY ACTS UP WHEN SLOWING OR STOPPED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234697July 17, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT HEARD EXCESSIVE NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO RIDE ROUGHLY. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR APPROXIMATELY A WEEK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR UPPER STRUT MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL DODGE. THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR ARE ON BACK ORDER UNTIL AUGUST OF 2008 AT ALL CHRYSLER DEALERS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234708July 17, 2008
STRUCTURE
THE CLEAR COAT ON THE PAINT BEGAN COMING OFF. IT STARTED ON THE ROOF AND TRUNK LID AND HAS NOW BEGUN TO SPREAD TO OTHER PARTS OF CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234135July 14, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, EQUIPMENT
2003 DODGE STRATUS FUEL GAUGE DIAL CONTINUES TO SHIFT TO EMPTY ONCE FUEL IS PLACED IN GAS TANK, SHOWING EMPTY ONLY AFTER A REFILL OF GAS. DO NOT KNOW WHEN HAVE FUEL IN CAR. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL INJECTOR, BUT ATTEMPTS TO REACH CHRYSLER IS IMPROBABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234161July 14, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
FAILURE OF THE REAR UPPER STRUT MOUNTS ON A 2004 DODGE STRATUS SXT DUE TO CORROSION. WAS TOLD BY DODGE DEALER "OVER 9000" OF THESE ITEMS ARE BACK ORDERED. THE CAR IS UN-DRIVABLE AND DANGEROUS AS IS. ONE HAS COMPLETELY FAILED THE OTHER IS ALMOST CORRODED THROUGH. PARTS ARE UN-AVAILABLE THROUGH MANUFACTURER AND THIRD PARTY VENDORS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234182July 14, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
2001 STRATUS SE HEARD A GRIND AFTER GOING OVER A BUMP ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK. LOOKED UNDER CAR AND SAW DRIVER SIDE STRUT MOUNT WAS BROKEN. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD BOTH MOUNTS ARE BROKEN AND NEEDED REPAIR. THESE PARTS ARE MADE OF CHEAP ALUMINUM WHICH IS HORRIBLE MATERIAL FOR SALT CORROSION. WAS TOLD PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER 2-3 WEEKS. NOT BELIEVING HEM, I CALLED DODGE DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD BASICALLY TOLD SORRY, 1000 WERE SHIPPED 7/3 BUT THERE WAS ANOTHER 7,600 BACKORDER!!! NOW IT WILL BE END OF JULY BEFORE I GET PARTS. ALL THEY WOULD DO WAS GET ME A PRIORITY FOR IF A DEALER IN OH GETS SOME I CAN HAVE THEM. (AND A CASE NUMBER). VERY DISAPPOINTED IN DODGE MAKING A SUSPENSION PIECE THAT SEES HEAVY CORROSION CONDITIONS OUT OF ALUMINUM POT METAL AND THEN HAS A MONTH BACKORDER. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. SO I'M OUT OF MY MAIN WORK VEHICLE FOR A MONTH, BORROWING THE WIFE'S VAN. WHAT WERE WE TO DO IF MY WIFE WAS WORKING OR IF SHE NEEDED VAN TO GET KIDS TO SCHOOL. DODGE WOULDN'T EVEN WORK WITH ME FOR A LOANER. (BECAUSE I WOULDN'T HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS 2X THE COST, A WHOLE OTHER STORY).*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234210July 14, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WE'RE PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY WE HEARD A "SNAP" AND THE CAR STALLED. IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP, WHERE I WAS THEN GREETED BY MY AIR BAG DUMMY. HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORK EITHER. TALKED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST AT LEAST $80 WORTH OF "INVESTIGATIVE WORK" TO MAKE SURE IT WAS A CLOCK SPRING (WHICH I COULD TELL THE SECOND IT HAPPENED). SAID THAT THE PART AND LABOR WOULD BE $200 AFTER THE DETECTIVE WORK OF COURSE. NO RECALL, NOT AVAILABLE AT PARTS STORES, SO NO DRIVER AIR BAG FOR ME. HOPE DODGE RECOGNIZES THE PROBLEM, IT'S ALL OVER THE INTERNET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234304July 14, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, FELT A BUMP AND LOUD NOISES UNDER THE HOOD. SHE IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF THE UPPER ALUMINUM STRUT MOUNTS AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 08/14/08. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234064July 12, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR'S ENGINE WENT UP IN FLAMES THE CAR WAS PARKED, AND OFF. THE FIREFIGHTER SAID THAT IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN THE CAR'S BATTERY BOX. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233858July 11, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
TOOK MY DODGE STRATUS 2002 IN AND MECHANIC DEEMED REAR STRUTS BAD. ORDERED REPLACEMENTS. WHEN ARRIVED THEY HAD SENT REAR UPPER STRUT HOUSING MR31114 INSTEAD OF #4879072AD. WHEN LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER CALLED IT WAS STATED THAT THERE WAS A BACKORDER OF OVER 8000 OF THESE. I THEN CALLED THE 800 NUMBER AND AFTER 4 HRS OF CLIMBING THE LADDER WAS INFORMED THAT THIS PART WAS IN FACT BACKORDERED WITH CURRENTLY THAT MANY CARS AWAITING THIS PART AND THAT IT WAS BEING RETOOLED AND WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE TILL LATE AUGUST. THE ISSUE IS SAFETY IN THAT THE REAR UPPER STRUT HOUSING IF BROKEN PRESENTS AN ISSUE FOR DRIVER AND VEHICLE SAFETY AND THE NUMBER OF CARS NEEDING WHAT IS NOT AVAILABLE IS GROWING AND THE COMPANY HAS NEITHER A RECALL OR SAFETY NOTICE OUT NOR IN MY CONVERSATIONS AT LEAST HAVE ANY CONCERNS OR CARE ABOUT THIS. FOR MANY IF THIS IS YOUR ONLY VEHICLE YOU HAVE LIMITED OPTIONS AND MANY OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE ON THE ROAD IN THIS CONDITION OF BROKEN REAR UPPER STRUT HOUSINGS. WHAT AM I TO DO AND WHAT RECOURSE IS THERE? *TR 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234012July 11, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN HER HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE, HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE FELT AS IF THE REAR END WAS LOOSE OR UNSTABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD ORDER THE PART FOR THE REPAIR, BUT DID NOT KNOW WHEN IT WOULD ARRIVE BECAUSE IT WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,700. UPDATED 09/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/18/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233811July 10, 2008
VISIBILITY
ATTEMPTED USE OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID AND NO FLUID CAME OUT AND SEVERELY SMEARED WINDOW. WENT HOME PUT IN FLUID. COULD HEAR MOTOR RUNNING BUT NO FLUID COMING OUT. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAS THE EXACT SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE. SHE REPORTED HER WINDSHIELD WIPER PUMP HAS ALSO FAILED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233837July 10, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
JAN 17,2008 CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL AT 53,300 MILES. CALL DEALERSHIP SAID BRING IN TO REPLACE THE MAIN CRANK SEAL AND HOPEFULLY THAT SHOULD FIX PROBLEM AND IF NOT THE I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE CRANK SHAFT. WELL 3,000 MILES LATER LESS THAN A MONTH LATER CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL AGAIN. CAR BEEN PARKED SINCE CALL DEALERSHIP SET UP TO HAVE CRANK SHAFT REPLACE THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT THEY TOLD ME REPLACE THE CRANK SHAFT AND THE CAR WOULD BEEN FINE THIS WAS MAY 20,2008 IT TOOK THEN A MONTH TO GET MY PART WITH MY CAR SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP THEN A WEEK AND HALF THEY CALL ME SAYING THE CRANK SHAFT WOULDN'T WORK BECAUSE BASELY THE CRANK HAD DESTROY MY ENGINE AND I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I'VE TRY TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO EITHER REPLACE THE BAD ENGINE OR GIVE ME A REASONABLE TRADE .I WAS TOLD BY THERE SERVICE PEOPLE TO PUT A SEAL IN IT AND GET RID OF IT DOWN THE ROAD AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SINCE I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE MOTOR THEN THE SAME THING FROM THERE GENERAL MANGER WHEN I ASKED FOR HELP THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT DOWN THE ROAD AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND GET RID OF IT. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SEAL AGAIN TRYING TO TAKE MY CAR HOME IN LESS THAN A 1 1/2 THE SEAL CAME OUT AGAIN I HAVE CALLED AT DIFFERENT TIME TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVE THE WON'T EVEN RETURN MY CALLS .I HAVE CONTACTED THE CORP AND STILL HAVEN'T ANY RESULT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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