Dodge Stratus Complaints

2,721 consumer complaints on file.

#10200941August 27, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAD MY DODGE STRATUS 2002 SINCE SUMMER OF 2005. WHILE GOING TO WORK ONE MORNING, I THOUGHT I HEARD THAT THE STARTER WAS GOING. I CALLED AND HAD THE MANUFACTURER'S LOCAL INSPECTION SHOP LOOK AT THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN OUT. IF I RECALL THE ENGINE SHOULD BE THE LAST THING TO DIE IN A CAR. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE THE ENGINE SHOULD STILL BE GOING. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THAT THEY COULDN'T HELP BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM ANOTHER CAR DEALER AND NOT THE MANUFACTURER. THIS MATTER SHOULD BE INSPECTED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200727August 24, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I WAS GOING TO MY COUSINS GRADUATION AND HAD ASKED AN OFFICER ABOUT PARKING WHEN HE DIRECTED ME WHERE TO GO WHEN I TURNED I HEARD A POP AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT AND THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A TOWING YARD, AND THE NEXT DAY TOWED TO MY PROPERTY. EVERYTHING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURNED. I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200449August 22, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THE EVENTS LEADING UP THE FAILURE OF MY VEHICLE WERE, THE CAR KEPT TURNING OFF. I COULD RESTART IT AFTERWARDS WITHOUT A PROBLEM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DODGE DEARLERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY. AFTERWARDS, THE CAR STALLED A FEW TIMES AND I COULD RESTART. THE LAST TIME IT STALLED I COULD NOT RESTART IT AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I NEEDED A NEW FUEL PUMP. I PAID FOR THE REPAIR SERVICES AND THE NEXT SEARCHED THE RECALLS ON THE INTERNET. I JUST WANT MY $724.13 REFUNDED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V443000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM/FUEL PUMP AND ANOTHER NHTSA RECALL, # 04V313000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM/FUEL PUMP AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200488August 22, 2007
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) IN APRIL OR MAY OF 2007. SHE CALLED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR APPOINTMENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE AT LEAST 50 PEOPLE BEFORE HER ON THE WAITING LIST. THERE ARE NO OTHER LOCAL DEALERS IN HER AREA AND SHE FEELS AS IF THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE A FIRE COULD OCCUR. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200372August 21, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, POWER TRAIN
THE IGNITION INTERLOCK ON MY 2004 DODGE STRATUS IS INOPERATIVE. AT LEAST TWICE, THE KEY WAS REMOVED AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF BY WHILE THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE. THE CAR THEN BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED, THE CAR RAN INTO AN OBSTRUCTION AND SUFFERED 25 THOUSAND DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200190August 20, 2007
SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STRUT MOUNTS SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND THEN SLOWLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR STRUT MOUNTS WERE RUSTED AND REPLACED THEM AT THE COST OF $500. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199273August 10, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN APPEARED TO BE INVALID.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198791August 7, 2007
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED THE DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 06V001000). AS OF AUGUST 6, 2007, THE DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,000. THE CONTACT WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A COPY OF INCIDENT REPORT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198636August 6, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE MAKING A U-TURN AT 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE LEANED HALFWAY DOWN TO THE GROUND. DODGE HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 73,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198542August 5, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS CRACKED. ATTEMPTS TO FIND A REPLACEMENT HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT. ALL SALVAGE YARDS THAT HAD ONE SAYS THAT THEIRS IS ALSO CRACKED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198263August 2, 2007
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 06V001000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT COULD CATCH FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197815July 30, 2007
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
I BOUGHT MY 1999 DODGE STRATUS 2.4L IN SEPTEMBER 2006 FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 145,000 MILES. IN MAY 2007, I HAD THE VALVE COVERS AND CAM SENSOR WIRING REPLACED DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE AND ROTTED WIRING (UNRELATED TO ONE ANOTHER). THE CAR SEEMED TO SLOWLY LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY A PROBLEM. ON 7/29/2007 AFTER A 50 MILE DRIVE, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A SHORT TIME. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197680July 27, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
AFTER AN ABRUPT STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKING ABILITY WAS SEVERELY IMPAIRED. I WENT HOME IMMEDIATELY FEARING FOR MY SAFETY. AFTER AN INSPECTION UNDER THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT A LARGE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID IN MY DRIVEWAY. LOOKING MORE CLOSELY I FOUND THE LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINE. IT APPEARS THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE HAD WORN A SPOT ON THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE. THIS COMBINED WITH CORROSION HAD CAUSED THE LINE TO RUPTURE. IT LOOKS AS IF THE FACTORY WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THERE WAS A SOFT 3" PIECE OF FOAM RUBBER TUBING OVER THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE WHERE IT CONTACTED THE HYDRAULIC LINE. THIS FOAM RUBBER MAY HAVE ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE CORROSION BY TRAPPING WATER BETWEEN IT AND THE STEEL BRAKE LINE. JUDGING BY THE AMOUNT OF RUST STUCK TO THE FOAM RUBBER I WOULD SAY THIS IS A FAIR ASSESSMENT. CHRYSLER DEALERS AND THE MAIN OFFICE OFFERED NO RECOURSE. AFTER EXPERIENCING ALL THIS AND MANY OTHER PROBLEMS FROM A VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW, I CAN SAY THAT I WILL NEVER PAY FOR ANOTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLE AGAIN. IF SOMEONE GIVES ME ONE, I MAY CONSIDER THE OFFER. P.S. OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDED: OIL PRESSURE SENDING SENSOR, TRANSMISSION SPEED SENSORS, FRONT WHEEL BEARING, RADIATOR, LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, AN UNRESOLVED PULLING TO THE RIGHT NOT RESOLVED AFTER NEW TIRES AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT, ETC. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197697July 27, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED A LITTLE AND DIED. AFTER GETTING IT STARTED AND GOING FURTHER UP THE STREET IN TRAFFIC, IT DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED UP TO THIS POINT. I HAVE BEEN SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF THIS PROBLEM COULD BE RESOLVED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197160July 22, 2007
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR
LIGHT IN REARVIREW MIRROR STOPPED WORKING. NEXT DAY, WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE, THE INTERIOR COMPONENTS OF REARVIEW MIRROR HEATED UP TO SUCH AN EXTREME TEMPERATURE THAT THE PLASTIC CASING ACTUALLY MELTED AND DRIPPED ONTO THE CONSOLE BELOW, MELTING THAT AS WELL. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE IT REEKED OF A BURNT SMELL AND WAS HAZY ON THE INTERIOR. THE MIRROR NO LONGER DIMS AND SEEMS TO HAVE MELTED ALSO, AS THE MIRROR NOW LOOKS AS IF I WERE LOOKING THROUGH ICE. I AM NOW WEARY ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I AM AFRAID IT COULD CATCH FIRE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197021July 20, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS SUGGESTED THAT THE FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED FROM BAD WIRING WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ENGINE WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS NO IGNITION SOURCE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE CONTACT IS STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE MECHANIC. SHE HAS ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURE AND HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED TWICE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196632July 17, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAD THE REAR BRAKES FOR THE 1995 DODGE STRATUS REPLACED ON 3/01/2007 BECOUSE BRAKES WERE WORN OUT, AND HAVE SINCE THEN HAD THEM REPLACE 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. MECHANIC SHOP COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY. THEY REPLACED EVERYTHING AND BACK BRAKES WERE STILL LOCKING. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED TO DO MY MAIL ROUTE ON 8/03/2006 FROM A USED CAR DEALER, AND DID NOT KNOW OF ANY RECALLS. ALSO, THE CAR SWERVED WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES. REPLACED BRAKE LINES, BRAKE SHOES, CYLENDERS, DRUMS AND SPRINGS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196045July 11, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR
HEARD LOUD CLANKING WHILE DRIVING. WHEN HOME INSPECTED RIGHT REAR UPPER STRUT MOUNT AND FOUND IT BROKEN. CALLED DEALER, WHO REPLACED BOTH SIDES. LEFT SIDE WAS ERODED FROM THE TOP AROUND THE SPRING CUP WHERE SALT WATER WAS PROBABLY SITTING IN WINTER, CAUSING SEVERE EROSION COUPLED WITH THE JOUNCING OF THE STRUT WHICH CAUSED BREAKAGE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10195999July 10, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
REAR SHOCK UPPER MOUNT ATTACKED BY CORROSION, VEHICLE ONLY 4.5 YEARS OLD AND 60,500 MILES. UN-PAINTED POT METAL LIKE MATERIAL BROKE UP INTO MULTIPLE PIECES WITHOUT WARNING. ONE MINUTE VEHICLE DROVE FINE, HIT A TYPICAL PAVEMENT EXPANSION JOINT CAUSING A LIGHT CLUNK TO DEVELOP. WITHIN TWO MILES I PULLED OVER TO INSPECT BECAUSE THE HAMMERING IN THE SUSPENSION GOT SO BAD. FOUND THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER WAS NO LONGER RETAINED AT THE UPPER END. VEHICLE COULD STILL BE DRIVEN HOME GENTLY BUT THERE WAS NOTHING RETAINING THE COIL SPRING TO THE BODY OTHER THAN GRAVITY. BOTH UPPER MOUNTS WERE REPLACED WITH PAINTED REPLACEMENT PARTS FROM THE DEALER. THE LEFT REAR MOUNT HAD NOT FAILED YET, BUT CORROSION WAS RAPIDLY TURNING IT INTO POWDER FROM THE TOP DOWN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10195401July 5, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE AT THE HEAD OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE MACHINE HEAD WAS CONSTRUCTED INCORRECTLY, WHICH PREVENTED OIL FROM REACHING THE CYLINDER. THE HEAD WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY A $100 DEDUCTIBLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE EXPENSES WOULD BE TAKEN UP WITH THE CHRYSLER DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 31,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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