Dodge Stratus Complaints

2,721 consumer complaints on file.

#10151412February 28, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE OIL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151474February 28, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR
DEALER SAID I HAD TO HAVE REAR LATERAL LINK REPLACED TO ALIGN CAR PROPERLY. DODGE STRATUS SXT HAD 31,000 MILES ON IT BUT DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER 3YR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THEY SAID IT WAS COVERED. DEALER WOULD NOT REFUND COST TO REPLACE PART. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151132February 24, 2006
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM A POWER STEERING HOSE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V001000, REGARDING THE HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 3/17/2006 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150771February 21, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE TIRES SPUN. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED THE HIT THE CONSUMER'S GARAGE. THE VEHICLE AND GARAGE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED, HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 3/20/2006 - *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150397February 16, 2006
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
MY CAR WAS A DODGE STRATUS SE 2000, 2.4 CYLINDER. ON FEB.13TH WHEN PULLING OUT FROM MY GARAGE I NOTICE LEAKAGE ON THE GROUND FROM THE CAR. I OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICE OIL ON TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL HYDRAULIC BOX. FIRST THING IN THE MORNING I DECIDED TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. WHEN DRIVING TOWARDS THE BODY SHOP PLACE THE CAR STARTED WITH FUMES UNDER THE HOOD. 10 MINUTES LATER CAR WAS CAUGHT UP ON FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION BEING THAT 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT I DROPPED OFF MY KIDS AT SCHOOL. THE CAR WAS BURNED IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. I REPORTED TO MY INSURANCE BUT BELIEVE THAT THE COMPANY WHO BUILT THIS CAR SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND SHOULD CONSIDER HOW DANGEROUS THIS SITUATION IS. THE CAR HAS GIVEN ME NO PROBLEMS FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS. I LOST MY CAR WHICH I PAID ALMOST $22,000. INSURANCE WILL RECOGNIZE VALUE FROM BLUE BOOK. CONSIDERING THAT I PAID UP THE CAR TWO YEARS AGO I HAVE LOST $13,000. MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149904February 9, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL SLUDGE FAILURE OF A DODGE/CHRYSLER 2.7L ENGINE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149908February 9, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149614February 7, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
LEFT FRONT AXLE CAME APART WHILE DRIVING. THE PREVIOUS MONTH THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. LOWER CONTROL ARM ON BOTH SIDES WERE REPLACED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149371February 3, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
MY DODGE STRATUS 2000, 65,071 MILEAGE, CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD "MELTED." THE FIRE DID NOT REACH THE INSIDE COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR. THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE SPEEDY AT PUTTING OUT THE FIRE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AFTER ABOUT 10 MIN. OF DRIVING. AND A BURNING SMELL WHICH I THOUGHT WAS ENGINE OIL. I TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION PAN, THE VALVE COVER GASKET, SPARK PLUGS AND BELTS. THE CAR CONTINUED TO SMOKE AND, AS I TOLD MY HUSBAND, I THOUGHT THERE WAS LIKE SOOTY ASHES BEING DEPOSITED ON TOP OF THE HOOD. I ASSUMED IT WAS BURNING OFF THE OLD OIL THAT HAD SPILLED ON THE ENGINE. AFTER TWO DAYS OF DRIVING I CALLED THE DODGE DEALER IN THE MORNING WHEN I CONFIRMED THAT THE CAR WAS STILL LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND OIL AND STILL SMOKING. THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK ON MONDAY. I WENT HOME THAT EVENING, PICKED UP ONE CHILD FROM DAY CARE AND THEN WE BOTH WENT TO PICK UP ANOTHER CHILD FROM HER AFTER-SCHOOL PLACE. WE WALKED OUT ABOUT 12 MINUTES LATER AND HALF THE STREET WAS ENGULFED IN THICK SMOKE. I COULD SEE FIRE UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR. WE RAN BACK IN AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPT. MY INSURANCE INVESTIGATORS COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS MELTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THEY TOTALED THE CAR. THE DEALER SAID LEAKING OIL DOES NOT CAUSE FIRES. THEY BELIEVED IT WAS ELECTRICAL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148930January 29, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TURNED INTO A PARKING SPOTAND HEARD SOMETHING POP IN STEERING WHEEL AREA. NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS STAYING ON, HORN DOES NOT WORK AND CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING.I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148741January 26, 2006
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
I OWN A 2000 DODGE STRATUS AND HAVE THAT HAS A HIGH PRESSURE HOSE ON THE POWER STEEERING THAT IS LEAKING. IT IS DRIPPING ONTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSING SMOKE TO COME OUT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE BUT EVEN THOUGH OTHER 2000 DODGE STRATUS WITH A 2.4 ENGINE HAVE BEEN RECALLED, BUT MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED PER DODGE. I FEEL DODGE NEEDS TO REEVALUATE THIS RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE IS HARMED FROM THERE NEGLECT. THIS CAR IS SMOKING AND COULD CATCH ON FIRE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148362January 23, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLS. AFTER STALLING, THE VEHICLE RESTARTS FOLLOWING AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER AND MULTIPLE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE STALLING PROBLEM. THE REAR FREEZE PLUG WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 03/09/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147907January 17, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147850January 16, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE STRATUS WITH A 2.7L ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS FAILED AND YET I STILL HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON MY CAR. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF MY CAR AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF STORIES JUST LIKE MINE AND I BELIEVE THAT CHRYSLER IS RIPPING OF ITS CONSUMERS. I THINK THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. IF I DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF MY CAR THAT WOULD BE ONE THING, BUT CHRYSLER IGNORING THIS PROBLEM AS IF NOTHING IS WRONG IS ANOTHER PROBLEM. THEY NEED TO GET IT TOGETHER AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148650January 13, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1995 DODGE STRATUS CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONSUMER PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER, EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SAW SMOKE. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147600January 11, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1998 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING, A TIRE RECAP CAME OFF OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR OF THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147448January 11, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE EXITING THE INTERSTATE WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALTHOUGH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REMAINED AT A NORMAL LEVEL THE SMOKE PERSISTED AND THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME. ONCE PULLED OVER THE HOOD WAS OPENED AND FLAMES SHOT OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT CLOSED THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, BUT THE CLOSED HOOD ALREADY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN, BUT DID NOT IDENTIFY A SOURCE OF IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE, BUT REPAIRED THE PARTS OF THE ENGINE THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THE FIRE. OVER A YEAR LATER, UNDER THE SAME DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE SEAM OF THE HOOD AND FENDER. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND A REPORT WAS FILED, BUT AGAIN THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE, BUT REPAIRED THE PARTS OF THE ENGINE THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THE FIRE. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE STARTED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE AT A NORMAL SPEED, AND DISTRIBUTED A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147454January 11, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE THROTTLE ON THIS CAR IS SO POORLY DESIGNED THAT WHEN YOU WANT TO PROCEED FROM A STOP, THE CAR WILL NOT DO SO SLOWLY, BUT RATHER PEELS OUT OR ACCELERATES SO SUDDENLY IT IS DANGEROUS. TWO DEALERS HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND SAY IT IS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. A TECHNICIAN AT THE CA STATE GARAGE ALMOST CRASHED THE CAR WHEN TRYING TO PUT IT INTO THE CAR WASH WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON HIM. THE CAR ONLY HAS 2500 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS ONLY HAD ME AS THE DRIVER, EVEN THOUGH IT IS OWNED BY THE STATE OF CA. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I WAS ASSIGNED THE CAR AND IT HAD ONLY 10 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147469January 11, 2006
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
CAR STARTED SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE THE OWNER OF THE STORE HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AS EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD IS BURNT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147395January 10, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SUSPENSION:REAR, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
AFTER HAVING MY TRANSMISSION LINES REPAIRED DUE TO A LEAK I DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR OUT ON A TEST DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. WELL COMING INTO TOWN I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN FROM 65 MPH TO 55 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT SLOW IT DOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. FEARING FOR MY LIFE I BEGAN TO GENTLY PULL THE EMERGENCY BREAK WHICH SLOWED ME DOWN TO ABOUT 20 MPH IN WHICH I TOOK A TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. WHEN I FINALLY GOT THE CAR STOPPED IT JERKED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO APPROX 600,000 RPMS. IT STAYED LIKE THAT (PARKED AT HOME) UNTIL SEVERAL DAYS LATER WHEN THE DEALERSHIP WAS FINALLY ABLE TO CHECK INTO IT AND HERE IS WHAT THEY "CLAIM". SOMEHOW BETWEEN THE TIME THEY HAD IT AND THE FEW HOURS THAT I HAD DRIVEN IT SINCE I HAD IT BACK, THEY CLAIM THAT I BROKE THE COVER TO THE IDLE AIR TEMP SENSOR AND THAT IT BECAME LODGED IN THE AUTOMATIC IDLE SPEED MOTOR AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO IDLE DOWN. NOW WHAT CONCERNS ME IS EXACTLY HOW CAN I BREAK THAT COVER? I AM NEVER UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR UNLESS I CHECK FLUIDS. THE COVER TO THAT THING IS EXTREMELY THICK. I BELIEVE THAT THE MECHANIC BUSTED IT WHEN HE WAS WORKING ON THE TRANSMISSION BUT THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT GUILT. ALSO I HAVE HEARD A CRUNCHING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END IN THE COLD WEATHER. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE DRIED AND CRACKED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAR IS NOT EVEN 3 YEARS OLD. WHY AM I HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO IT THEN IT'S WORTH? IT'S NOT FAIR. AND YES I KEEP UP WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON IT. I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD THAT RIDES IN THE CAR REGULARLY WITH ME. SHE COULD OF BEEN HURT OR KILLED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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