2001 Dodge Stratus

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/22/2003· SEATS

  DRIVER'S SEAT - POWER CONTROLS - FRONT UP/DOWN TILT NOT RESPONSIVE. *AK

• 12/22/2003· VISIBILITY

  REAR DEFROSTER BUTTON WORKS ERRATICALLY. *AK

• 12/19/2014· STEERING,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES

  I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS NOW WITH LITTLE PROBLEMS. HAD A FEW OIL CHANGES AND SOME BRAKE WORK DONE TO IT. BUT IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE CHANGED ALL THE CALIPERS IN THIS CAR 2 TO 3 TIMES THE BREAK PADS MANY TIMES THE BALL JOINTS THE ROADERS THE SWING ARM AND THE CLUSTER DASH. THIS WAS A GREAT CAR TILL IT STOPPED GOING OVER 30 WITHOUT A TERRIBLE SHAKE. *TR

• 12/18/2009· STEERING,SUSPENSIONCrash

  2001 DODGE STRATUS. LOSS OF CONTROL. RESULTING IN 2 SEPARATE CRASHES. I DID SUSTAIN INJURY IN THE LAST INCIDENT. I WAS TRYING TO TURN LEFT INTO A PARKING LOT, WHEEL TURNED ONLY PARTIALLY. I COULD NOT GET IT TO MOVE THE CORRECT DIRECTION, AND I RAN INTO A TALL (15IN.) CURB. SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND A LARGE KNOT ON MY HEAD. THE 1ST INCIDENT WAS WHILE TRYING TO TURN LEFT AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO THAT WAY. I ENDED UP HITTING YET ANOTHER TALL CURB,DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. IT MAY BE WORTHY TO NOTE I HAVE REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, BUT AM STILL GETTING PERIODS OF HAVING A HARD TIME TURNING MY WHEEL. THIS OCCURS WHETHER IN MOTION OR JUST STARTING MY CAR AND TURNING THE WHEEL TO LEAVE . I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT SIDE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE WHEEL TO TURN RIGHT AS WELL. I ACTUALLY WAS GOING ABOUT 30MPH AND BARELY MADE MY TURN, ALMOST BROADSIDING A SITTING VEHICLE. WHEN I CHECKED IT, MY TIRE WAS "BENT INWARD' AT THE TOP. THE WHOLE TIRE WAS, WELL, LIKE THIS, / (BUT ACTUALLY BENT THE OTHER WAY, INWARD. MY STEERING WHEEL WORKS RANDOMLY. PLEASE ADVISE, AS THIS IS MY ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO HAVE FIXED ON IT! I'VE ALREADY DIPPED ALMOST $2000 "FIXING" IT. THANK YOU. THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS JUST THE LATEST. THE ONE WHERE I HIT MY HEAD. AS OF TODAY, MY STEERING HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. *TR

• 12/17/2003· STRUCTURE

  WHILE DRIVING REAR LEFT TIRE SHIFTED INWARD, AND VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER. DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE BOLT THAT CONNECTED THE UNDER BODY TO THE REAR SUSPENSION BROKE IN HALF. *AK

• 12/16/2000· STEERING

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/09/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  HAS PROBLEMS WITH STARTING. REPLACED WIRE AND FUSE IN BOX. STILL DOING THE SAME THING. *TR

• 12/09/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,INTERIOR LIGHTING

  I HAVE CONSTANTLY TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR THE SAME REASONS. THE CAR JERKS, THE WHOLE CAR VIBRATES WHEN IT RAINS, IF IT'S COLD OUT THE CAR REFUSES TO START IN THE MORNING. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION AND PISTON PROBLEMS.*AK

• 12/05/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT PRIOR TO THE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED, PROVIDING ENOUGH POWER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE NEXT DAY, THE ENGINE WAS DIFFICULT TO START AND THE CLICKING NOISE CONTINUED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS A ROD BEARING FAILURE AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF THE MOTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

• 12/03/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A LOADING ZONE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE AND THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP, OIL GASKET, AND TIMING BELT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT SHOP FOR A LESS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THE NEW REPAIR SHOP CONFIRMED THE SAME FAILURES, IN ADDITION TO OIL CONTAMINATION AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,890. UPDATED 02-18-09 UPDATED 02/18/09. *JB

• 12/03/2003· STEERING

  WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT A POPPING SOUND WAS PRODUCED.*AK

• 12/02/2002· AIR BAGS

  WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP. VEHICLE FRONT END WAS DAMAGED. NONE OF THE VEHICLES AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

• 11/29/2011· STEERINGCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V225002 (STEERING:GEAR BOX -OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

• 11/26/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE WILL STALL OUT, WHEN TAKEN FOOT OFF PEDAL CAN FEEL ENGINE TRYING TO DIE OUT, CONSUMER HAS TO KEEP FOOT ON ACCELERATER TO AVOID VEHICLE FROM SHUTTING OFF. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER COULD NOT RECREATE PROBLEM TO FIX IT. *AK CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 2 MORE TIMES.*SLC

• 11/25/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2001 STRATUS 2.7 LITER V-6 ENGINE. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, CAR CUTS OFF. START CAR UP AGAIN AND THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE. TAKE IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAY THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE. CALL ABOUT MY WARRANTY, THEY SAY THAT ALL OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS HAVE TO BE GIVEN TO THEM FOR THE PAST 15 MONTHS. NOW KEEP IN MIND CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. THEY SAY THAT IT WILL NOT BE COVERED UNLESS THOSE DOCUMENTS ARE GIVEN TO THEM. BUT LOOKING AT SOME OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS DOCUMENTATION OF PROPER MAINTENANCE WILL NOT MAKE THEM COVER THE COST. AND ACCORDING TO SOME OF THE PROBLEMS REPORTED WITH THESE CARS, THERE ARE A LOT OF THE SO CALLED OIL SLUDGE BUILD-UP THAT IS FOUND THAT HAS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN. THEY SAY THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS 6,000.00+ BILL AND I AM NOT EITHER. *LA

• 11/24/2004· POWER TRAIN

  CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT ABOUT 74K MILES AND WENT INTO "LIMP" MODE. FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR WAS BAD. REPLACED SENSOR AT COST OF $682.25. CAR HAS RUN POORLY SINCE THAT DAY. DODGE SAYS "NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR" BUT THE CAR HAS NOT RAN SMOOTHLY FROM THAT FIRST REPAIR DAY. NEXT...WHILE IN PENNSYLVANIA ON MILITARY DUTY, THE CAR LEAKED ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT. FOUND OUT THE SOLENOID PACK AND FLUID LINES WERE LEAKING. ANOTHER $530+ DOLLARS. BOTH OF THESE PARTS ARE LISTED ON AUTO ZONES WEBSITE AS RECALLS WITH DAIMLER CHRYSLER FOR MY VEHICLE. ONE HAS A NHTSA NUMBER. DAIMLER CHRYSLER DENIES THAT THERE ARE ANY RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE BUT DOES STATE THAT OTHER "SIMILAR" MODELS AND CARS ARE COVERED FOR THOSE PARTS. WHEN WE ASKED DAIMLER CHRYSLER WHO WE COULD CONTACT TO COMPLAIN AND IF THERE WAS A NATIONAL BODY WHO LOOKS AT VEHICLE COMPLAINTS (KNOWING FULL WELL WHO NHTSA WAS AND HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THEM) DAIMLER CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED "I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYONE!" ....WRONG ANSWER. *NM

• 11/22/2010· AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING AIR BAG IS INOPERABLE AT THIS POINT AND THE CAUSE IS A BROKEN CLOCKSPRING IN STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD THAT DODGE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX AT NO CHARGE. *TR

• 11/18/2005· AIR BAGSCrash

  DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH VEHICLE HIT BLACK ICE AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. THEN, SHE WAS DRIVING AT A LATER DATE AND HIT A DEER. THIS WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS ONCE AGAIN IN CRASH WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPAIRS WERE BEING MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK

• 11/11/2002· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A TOP PRIORITY INVESTIGATION. THE FRONT AXLES BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ON RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT. THE FRONT BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE ALL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BY MANUFACTURER. AXLE BEARING FAILURE OCCURED AT 21,000 MILES VEHICLE WAS 6 MONTHS OLD. THEN AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER WITH 38,000 MILES ON IT , AT THAT TIME IT WAS DISCOVERED THE BALL JOINTS ON THE UPPER AND LOWER ON BOTH SIDES WERE WORN OUT, MANUFACTURER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. RECENTLY A POWER STEERING LINE WHICH RUNS FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO THE POWER STEERING RESEVOIR STARTED LEAKING, UPON INSPECTION I FOUND IT HAD BEEN LEAKING FOR A WHILE BUT FINALLY OPENED UP. THE CASUE IS THE DESIGN OF THE POWER STEERING LINE, IT RUBS AGAINST THE A/C LINE WHICH IS METAL AND WORE A HOLE IN THE LINE. I PURCHASED THE LINE FRONT THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER. THE LINE HAS BEEN SUPERCEEDED 3 TIMES, A OBVIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM. I AM ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN, THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS I LISTED ARE VERY SERIOUS AND DODGE IS AWARE OF THEM. COMMENT TO ME WAS THE AXLE BEARINGS AND BALL JOINTS ARE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, THIS CAME FROM THE DEALER IT SELF. THE DEALERS ALSO CAN NOT KEEP THE POWER STEERING LINES IN STOCK. POTENTIAL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS FAILURES ARE AS FOLLOWS, BALL JOINT AND AXLE BEARING FAILURE SHOULD THEY BREAK WHILE OPERATING ON THE HIGHWAY CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING LINE WHEN IT FINALLY RUPTURES AFTER IT HAS WORN THROUGH CAN CAUSE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD DUE TO THE PROXIMITY OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND ALSO LOSS OF POWER STEERING. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT, IT IS ONLY 15 MONTHS OLD AND IS DRIVEN EXCLUSIVELY ON THE HIGHWAY. THESE FAILURES ARE NOT NORMAL ON ANY VEHICLE WITH THE MILEAGE I LISTED AND SHOULD PROMPT AN INVESTIGATION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED. THE SUPERCEEDED POWER STEERING LINE CAN BE CONFIRMED AT ANY DODGE OR CHRYSLER DEALER. THANK YOU KEVIN GILMORE DT

• 11/08/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  WHEN GOING ON THE BRAKES THE CAR JERKS. *TR

• 11/07/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I HAVE A 2001 DODGE STRATUS WITH A 2.7 MAGNUM ENGINE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP THAT THE ROD BEARINGS ARE BAD. WE HAD PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR WHICH COVERS ALL ENGINE COMPONENTS. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS OIL CHANGES WERE NOT DONE EVERY THREE THOUSAND MILES. HOWEVER, THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE IN THE OWNERS GUIDE STATES THAT OIL CHANGES ARE ONLY REQUIRED EVERY SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED MILES. THIS PROBLEM CAN ONLY BE FIXED BY A NEW ENGINE, WHICH IS $7,000. *LA

• 11/04/2009· SUSPENSION,EQUIPMENT

  REGARDING OUR 2001 DODGE STRATUS, LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILURE. ORIGINALLY ON OCTOBER 25TH OF 2005 WE HAD THE LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM/BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY REPLACED BECAUSE OF SEVERE SQUEAKING DURING SUSPENSION MOVEMENT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY LUBRICATION FAILURE. THERE IS NO WAY TO RE-LUBE THIS JOINT ON THIS DESIGN. THE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED WITH THE ONLY AVAILABLE PART AT THE TIME FROM DODGE. FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS I HAD NOTICED THAT DURING ABRUPT BRAKING THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL STRONGLY TO THE LEFT, THEN RECOVER WHEN THE BRAKES WERE RELEASED. I HAD SCHEDULED FOR INSPECTION APPOINTMENT ON 11/10/2009. THEN ON11/2/2009 THE SAME EXACT BALL JOINT FAILURE OCCURRED TO THE LEFT SIDE WHEN MY 16 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAD READ THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 09E-056 REGARDING THE QUALIS FAILURE AND WONDERED IF IT COULD BE RELATED SOMEHOW. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

• 11/04/2002· WHEELS

  THESE WHEELS BEND TOO EASY. AFTER HAVING REPLACED 2 WHEELS ALREADY, AND NOW NEEDING TO REPLACE ANOTHER TWO (DUE TO BENDING FROM SMALL POTHOLES MOST LIKELY). THESE ARE MADE AS "SPUN ALUMINUM" AND HAVE LITTLE TO NO STRENGTH. (NOTE: WHEELS ARE MITSUBISHI MANUFACTURED, STRATUS R/T IS SIMILAR TO THE ECLIPSE. NOTE THE WHEEL PROBLEMS LISTED THERE ARE VERY SIMILAR.) DT

• 11/02/2010· STRUCTURE

  I LIKE TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO WINDOWS IN THE CARS. I WAS IN CLOSE CALL ACCIDENT AND I, WITNESS ANOTHER INCIDENT IN MINER DAMAGES TO CAR. I WAS CROSSING INTERSECTION AT SHARP ANGLE AND DID NOT SEE CAR CROSSING IT AT HI SPEED, NEAR MISS. I WITNESS INTERSECTION WHERE CAR MERGING IN TO TRAFFIC, FORCE VEHICLE OF THE ROAD TO SIDE, DAMAGING RIMS ON THE CAR OVER THE CURB SIDE WALK. SIMPLY EGG DESIGN CARS ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE!!!! IT IS WORST THEN DISTRACTIVE DRIVING IS BLIND DRIVING ALL THE TIME. I RECOMMEND 80'S. AS A COMPARISON AND INSPIRATION. *TR

• 10/30/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY

  CAR HAS BEEN IN 19 TIMES IN 18 MONTHS FOR 15 SEPARATE ISSUES. MOTOR SEEMS TO HAVE FINALLY BLOWN. TOOK 4 TRIES TO PASS STATE INSPECTION. CHRYSLER KEEPS IGNORING ME, MY DEALERSHIP KEEPS IGNORING ME VISIT MY SITE AT HTTP://MEMBERS.TRIPOD.COM/~GO_GRL/DODGE.HTML FOR FULL STORY. NO RETURN CALLS FROM CHRYSLER THRU TODAY 10/30/2002 BILL DAY, GENERAL MANAGER AT DEALERSHIP IGNORING ISSUE LONG ENOUGH. NOW NO CAR WE'LL SEE WHAT THEY DO TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE. DT

• 10/26/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  SUBSEQUENT TO HAVING A RECENT OIL CHANGE AND ENGINE FLUSH MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING A LOUD CLICKING SOUND, WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. I PULLED OVER AT THE NEAREST GAS STATION AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF SO I COULD CHECK UNDER THE HOOD. UPON VISUALLY INSPECTING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THERE WAS NOT OBVIOUS SIGN OF ANYTHING WRONG, NO LEAKS ETC, I THEN CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS FULL AND CLEAN. I THEN TRIED RESTARTING MY VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START, JUST CLICK ONCE THEN NOTHING. SUBSEQUENTLY I CALLED A TOWING COMPANY AND HAD MY VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DODGE DEALERSHIP IN MY TOWN. I WAITED FOUR DAYS TO HEAR FROM THEM AND THEY NEVER CALLED SO FINALLY I HAD MY WIFE CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN BUT BEFORE THEY COULD DO ANYTHING I HAD TO AUTHORIZE THEM TO LET SOMEONE FROM CHRYSLER WARRANTY INSPECT MY VEHICLE AND THIS WOULD BE A $400.00 FEE, WHICH I HAD TO PAY. AFTER THE ALLEGED INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN DUE TO SLUDGE AND THAT CHRYSLER WARRANTY WOULD NOT REPAIR MY CAR,EVEN THOUGH I HAD A 7YR-100,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME THE ENGINE WAS 50,000 MILES AND ANY AND ALL ATTEMPTS TO GET COPIES OF THE ALLEGED INSPECTION WERE DENIED NOT ONLY FROM THE DEALERSHIP BUT ALSO FROM CHRYSLER WARRANTY. NUMEROUS TIMES I CALLED CHRYSLER WARRANTY IN HOPES OF GETTING SOME RESULTS BUT THE REPS WERE RUDE AND HAD THE ATTITUDE THAT ( OH WELL ) IT'S YOUR PROBLEM. NOW IT HAS BEEN SIX MONTHS MY CAR STILL IS NOT FIXED, I STILL HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON IT IN ADDITION TO EXTENDED MEDICAL BILLS FOR MY WIFE AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE ACTIONS OR LACK THERE OF BY DODGE/CHRYSLER. IN REGARD TO THE MEDICAL MY WIFE WAS DIAGNOSED IN EXTREME DEPRESSION AND ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAK DOWN AND OUR FAMILY"S EMOTIONAL LIFE HAS BEEN IN DISARRAY AND A FINANCIAL STRAIN BY PAYING FOR A VEHICLE THAT CAN'T BE DRIVEN. *NM

• 10/23/2011· AIR BAGS

  UPON A SLOW TURN TO STREET, I HEARD A CLICK AND GRIND SOUND IN STEERING WHEEL.. AIRBAG LIGHT AND BELL CAME ON . TWO DAYS LATER, HORN STOPPED WORKING. LOOKED UP ONLINE, AND THIS SEEMS TO BE WIDESPREAD ACROSS THE DODGE LINE OF VEHICLES. THE SYMPTOMS FIT EXACTLY TO WHAT I FOUND ONLINE TO BE A FAULTY CLOCKSPRING IN THE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY. I WATCHED SOMEONE DISASSEMBLE A CLOCKSPRING AND FOUND THE (TAPE-TYPE) WIRES HAD BEEN BENT BACKWARDS BY THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE BEING BENT THE OTHER WAY.( WITHIN TWO INCHES OF THE CONNECTION POINT OF THE TAPE WIRE) UPON DISASSEMBLY , HE FOUND THE WIRES TO BE SEPARATED WHERE THE BEND IN THE TAPE WAS. *TR

• 10/23/2006· POWER TRAIN

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A LARGE AMOUNT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS OBSERVED ON THE GROUND. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNAL PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LINE HAD LEAKED. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE 2 TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES, 4 CLAMPS, AND PART OF THE OIL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF NHTSA RECALL # 01V011002, WHICH PERTAINS TO THE COOLING UNIT AND LINES FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DUE TO THE VIN.

• 10/23/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL KEEPS DROPPING. *YD

• 10/22/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

• 10/19/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  IN 2003 MY 2001 DODGE STRATUS ENGINE FAILED. I TOOK IT TO A REPUTABLE CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE OIL HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED FOR OVER 10000 MILES AND AS A RESULT GUMMED UP LOWER PART OF THE ENGINE. THE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED EVERY 3-4000 MILES AND HAD BEEN CHANGED NOT 3 DAYS BEFORE INCIDENT HAPPENED. ENGINE HAD TO BE COMPLETELY CLEANED OUT AND REPAIRED TO THE TUNE OF $3000.00. ENGINE HAD LESS THAN 60000 MILES AT THE TIME. SINCE THEN CAR AGAIN HAS HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES WITHOUT FAIL. AGAIN,THE ENGINE FAILED, I WAS FINALLY TOLD THAT THAT THE DODGE STRATUS MAGNUM ENGINE WAS KNOWN TO HAVE A TOO SMALL OIL LINE TO THE ENGINE AND HAD A TENDENCY TO CLOG WITH A MINUTE AMOUNT OF NORMAL DEBRIS,AND THEREFORE THE LOWER HALF OF ENGINE WAS STARVED OF OIL AND ENGINE BECOMES TOAST. BY THE WAY, THE OIL LIGHT FAILED TO GO ON TO LET ME KNOW I HAD A PROBLEM UNTIL ENGINE WAS TOASTED, THEN IT WENT ON. I HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF THIS VEHICLE IT IS IN PERFECT CONDITION OTHER THAN THE ENGINE. I WAS TOLD I WILL NEED A NEW ENGINE TO THE TUNE OF WELL OVER $3000.00, NO REPAIRING IT THIS TIME. I CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THIS AGAIN. IF THIS IS AN ENGINE DESIGN FLAW...IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. BEAUTIFUL VEHICLE DESIGN,LOUSY QUALITY AND MECHANICAL DESIGN. *NM

• 10/18/2004· VISIBILITY

  I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 DODGE STRATUS ON THE INTERSTATE. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME. I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST COMING FROM THE REAR SEAT. I LOOKED BACK AND RELIAZED MY RIGHT REAR WINDOW HAD EXPLODED. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TWO WEEKS BEFORE TO SEE IF THEY COULD EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR CREATES A VACCUM AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE WINDOW TO EXPLODE. IF THIS IS THE CASE I THINK SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. LUCKY FOR US THERE WAS NOBODY IN THE BACK SEAT.*AK

• 10/16/2008· AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG SELF DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WAS JUST SIMPLY SITTING IN CAR WHEN I NOTICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. DRIVER AIRBAG HAS DEPLOYED INSIDE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, NOW HORN NO LONGER WORKS AND FEEL A CLICKING SOUND AT EACH TURN. *TR

• 10/15/2002· VISIBILITY

  CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WINDOW ON THE SUN ROOF OF THE VEHICLE SHATTERED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SOME OF THE PIECES CUT THE CONSUMER AND RUIN SMALL PARTS OF THE SEATS. CONTACTED DEALER. MR

• 10/14/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WARPED BRAKE ROTORS ON A 2001, DODGE, STRATUS AT 46000 MILES. THIS WAS FAR TOO SOON FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. CONSUMER BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, AND WAS NOT HARD ON THE BRAKES. THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW. *AK

• 10/13/2006· AIR BAGS

  I HAD PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO RETURN TO WORK AND WHEN I TURNED THE CORNER TO LEAVE MY STREET I HEARD A CRACKING SOUND FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON, THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK AND THE HORN DOES NOT WORK EITHER THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE HAD JUST OVER 35,500 MILES ON IT. *NM

• 10/13/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE NOISES. LOUD BANG AT WHICH TIME PULLED THE CAR OVER. CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND LOOSE OIL. SHERIFF GAVE RIDE TO GAS STATION TO GET MORE OIL WHICH WHEN PUT IN CAME RIGHT BACK OUT. TOWED TO GAS STATION AND FOUND HOLE THE SIZE OF A FIST IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. ROD THAT BLEW THE HOLE SOMEWHERE ON THE HIGHWAY. TOWED 100+ MILES HOME. LUCKILY NO ONE HURT. NO WARNINGS OR PROBLEMS PRIOR. CAR NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY (58,000 MILES). WILL BE HAVING SOMEONE LOOK AT IT TO SEE IF IT CAN BE FIXED AND AT WHAT COST. *AK

• 10/11/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE STARTING KNOCKING. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP. WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMING GEAR HAD GONE CAUSING METAL TO BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH ENGINE. THIS WAS DUE TO ENGINE SLUDGE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2.7L ENGINE. NO WARNING LIGHTS JUST FAILURE. *JB

• 10/11/2001· STEERING

  THERE WAS A NOISE IN STEERING GEAR, NOISE SOUNDED AS THOUGH A BOLT OR NUT WAS LOOSE IN STEERING COLUMN. CONTACT DEALER, AND DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE.*AK*YD

• 10/09/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WE HAVE A 2001 DODGE STRATUS WITH A 2.7 V6 ENGINE FIST PROBLEM THE WATER OUTLET STARTED LEAKING THEN THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AN THEN THE LIFTERS STARTED KNOCKING NOW THE MOTOR JUST DIED WE DID REGULAR OIL CHANGES AN MATN.REALLY SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON THE CAR TO HAVE IT DEAD IN THE YARD. *TR

• 10/09/2006· SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DROVE THE VEHICLE THE NIGHT BEFORE THERE WERE NO SIGNS, WARNINGS OF ANYTHING WRONG. WENT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THE NEXT AFTERNOON AND UPON START UP VEHICLE WAS MAKING A RATTLING, CLICKING NOISE, TURNED IT OFF IMMEDIATELY. HAD CAR TOWED, WAS TOLD OIL WAS SLUDGY , ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACE, AT A COST OF MINIMUM END OF $5700. MECHANIC STATED HE HAD TWO MORE VEHICLES OF EXACT YEAR, MAKE, MODEL AND 2.7L ENGINE ON HIS LOT WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. HE STATED FURTHER, HE WAS SORRY, BUT WOULD HAVE TO DECLINE HIS SERVICE TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE ENGINE AS HE WAS ALREADY FED UP WITH DEALING WITH MANUFACTURER WITH THE OTHER TWO VEHICLES. HE WENT ON TO STATE THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS CLAIMING OWNER FAULT, OF NOT MAINTAINING 3000 MILE OIL CHANGES, EVEN THOUGH ONE OF THE OWNERS HAD EVERY RECEIPT PROVING OTHERWISE. HERE I SIT WITHOUT A VEHICLE NOW, HAVE NO FINANCIAL MEANS TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THIS VEHICLE AS I BECAME DISABLED IN APRIL OF 2005 AND HAVE A VERY LIMITED BUDGET. I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW VEHICLE SO I DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANY MAJOR EXPENSE OR PROBLEMS AND IT WOULD LAST ME 15-20 YRS, NOT 5. I ALSO DIDN'T EXPECT TO PAY OVER $20,000 FOR A VEHICLE THAT WOULD ONLY LAST 70,000 MILES. THIS WASN'T THE ONLY ITEMS I HAD TO HAVE FIXED, IN 2003 I HAD TO HAVE THE FAN FIXED FOR THE AC/HEATING AS IT ONLY WORKED ON ONE SPEED, THANK GOODNESS IT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. WHICH I NEVER DID RECEIVE ANY RECALL LETTER OR ANY NOTIFICATION OF THIS PROBLEM. IN 2005 THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WENT OUT AND HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE GET WATER IN WHEN IT RAINS, HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO DEALER, THEY HAVE NO CLUE AS TO WHAT AND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THIS IS THE FIRST BRAND NEW VEHICLE I HAVE EVER PURCHASED AND WAS SO PROUD OF IT, TOOK METICULOUS CARE OF IT AND NOW I FEEL AND LOOK LIKE A COMPLETE FOOL, AS THE MANUFACTURER IS LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK, PLUS HAS A VEHICLE THAT RUNS! THEIR OLD SLOGAN DODGE TUFF, THE NEW IS YOUR DODGE DOESN'T RUN, THAT'S TOUGH. *JB

• 10/08/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT ROTORS ARE WEARING EXCESSIVELY. DEALER INFORMED THAT THE ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED, BUT THE BRAKE PADS WERE ADEQUATE. *MR THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ROTORS SHOULD NOT BE WARPED AT AT 15000 MILES AND STILL HAVE PADDING, THE VEHICLE SHAKES BADLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THEY WERE REFACED YET THERE WAS STILL A SLIGHT PULSATION IN THE REAR, THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE ROTORS ARE OF POOR QUALITY. *SCC

• 10/02/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2.7 ENGINE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, CHRYSLER MECHANIC SAYS THEY HAVE HAD MANY, AND ARE WAITING ON A RECALL, HAVE NOT DRIVEN CAR IN A FEW YEARS CAN NOT AFFORD REPAIR! *JB

• 10/01/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER HAD A 2.7 LITER ENGINE WHICH ACCUMULATED A GREAT DEAL OF MOTOR SLUDGE. CONSUMER CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. THEN, TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. MANUFACTURER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK

• 09/28/2006· STEERING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WAS HARD TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE STEERING GEAR, WHEEL BEARING, AND RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #00V225002, REGARDING THE GEAR BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

• 09/26/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AS HE VEHICLE STALLED. A LOCAL MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MORE THAN LIKELY CAUSED BY AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,107. UPDATED 02/14/12*LJ UPATED 02/22/12

• 09/21/2007· TIRES

  TL*THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER SIGMA SHADOW, SIZE P20565R15 TIRES (NA). WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD FLAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE BODY SHOP INSPECTED THE TIRE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE TIRE TREAD (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06T027000), HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS TIRE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 112,987.

• 09/20/2001· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 50-70 MPH VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SURGE WITHOUT WARNING, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. *AK CHRYSLER INFORMED CONSUMER OF AN UPDATE THAT WOULD IMPROVE THE SURGING, HOWEVER IT HAS BEEN FIVE MONTHS WITH NO REPLACEMENTS OR REPAIRS. *SLC

• 09/19/2011· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS AIR-BORNE AND THEN FLIPPED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS KILLED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE-YARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

• 09/17/2006· AIR BAGS

  I TURNED A CORNER AND HEARD A CLICKING SOUND. MY AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND MY HORN WOULD NOT SOUND. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS ALSO NOT WORKING. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT IT IS DUE TO A BROKEN CLOCK SPRING. TWO DODGE DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT AT NO COST, THAT IN FACT IT WOULD COST AT LEAST $200.00 . I NOW SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL PROBLEM WITH DODGE VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR. TO THIS DAY, IT HAS NOT YET BEEN FIXED, AS I AM WAITING TO GET AN AGREEABLE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE. SINCE THIS PROBLEM RENDERS THE AIRBAG INOPERABLE, I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT/PROBLEM. *NM