2002 Dodge Stratus

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

• 12/28/2004· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSES CRACKED CAUSING LEAK OF TRANSMISSION OIL. HOSES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT OWNER EXPENSE. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *JB

• 12/24/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS SE'S 2.7 LITRE V6 200HP ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE MECHANIC AT THE FIRST SHOP SAID MY TIMING BELT WAS BAD, AND THAT MY ENGINE, EVEN THOUGH MAINTAINED WAS SLUDGED. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT A DEALERSHIP FOR POSSIBLE REPAIR. THEY SAID THAT FOR $5850 I CAN HAVE A NEW ENGINE WITH A 12,000 MILE, OR 12 MONTH WARRANTY- I AM NOT SHELLING OUT NEAR $6000 FOR A NEW ENGINE WHEN IT HAS A 12,000 MILE WARRANTY.*AK

• 12/13/2004· STEERING

  THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE AND GRINDING SOUND IN THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL. AFTER LOOKING AT IT FURTHER, THE TIE-ROD THAT CONNECTS TO THE RACK AND PINION STRIPPED THE THREAD AND FELL OFF. THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE PROPERLY WAS LOST AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERLY IMPACTED.*AK

• 12/12/2004· POWER TRAIN

  CAR HESITATED TO GO INTO GEAR, NEXT DAY, JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT STOPS PULLING. THE TRANSMISSION WENT COMPLETELY OUT,RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION!HAULED IT TO A GARAGE, THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY SHOT. WILL COST $1200.00 TO $1500.00 TO REPLACE. IF SOMEONE WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED THIS WOULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN READING THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES. IT IS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS SE.I WILL HAVE TO BORROW THE MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED, AS SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ABOUT THESE AND MANY OTHER DODGE VEHICLES. *JB

• 12/11/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2002 DODGE STRATUS BEGAN TO HESITATE AND ACT LIKE IT WAS STALLING DRIVING A 10 MILE COMMUTE. WIFE PULL OVER, OPENED THE HOOD, BUT SAW NOTHING WRONG. BEING ONLY A COUPLE MILES FROM HOME SHE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND DIDN'T SOUND RIGHT. SHE CALLED OUR MECHANIC AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO HIS BUSINESS. HE TOLD US THAT AFTER MAKING SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. BOTH THE WATER AND OIL WERE WELL WITHIN THE NORMAL OPERATING RANGE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 58,000 MILES ON IT HAS BEEN WELL CARED FAR AND DRIVEN BY MY OVERLY CAUTIOUS WIFE. AS I HAVE LEARNED MORE ABOUT THIS ENGINE I HAVE FOUND PLENTY OF EVIDENCE ONLINE THAT THE 2.7L V6 ENGINE IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE WORST EXAMPLES OF FAULTY ENGINEERING IN MEMORY. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS, AND CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE BEEN FORCED TO RECALL THIS. THIS IS AN OUTRAGEOUS FRAUD UPON THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THAT ALSO MAKES ME THINK THAT NHTSA IS NOT DOING THEIR JOB FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. *TR

• 12/11/2004· STEERING

  I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD AND THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATED AND THE CAR STARTED SWAYING. LUCKILY I WAS ON A SIDE ROAD WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 30 MPH AND NOTHING SERIOUS HAPPENED, BUT IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE OR OTHER MAJOR HIGHWAY MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR EVEN KILLED. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AT DARLINGS AUTO SALES IN ELLSWORTH MAINE THEY HAVE THE EXACT DATE IT HAPPENED AND REPAIR INFO IF YOU NEED IT. THEY CONTACTED CHRYSLER TO SEE IF IT WAS COVERED OR NOT. I AM NOT SURE IF THEY DID OR NOT AS I PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR ( IT IS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS) THE CAR HAD JUST OVER 36000 MILES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WOULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT MUCH ABOUT IT BUT I WAS WATCHING TV AND THEY WAS SHOWING THE DODGE DURANGO AND DAKOTA HAVING THE SAME THING HAPPENING. *JB

• 12/09/2010· SUSPENSION

  I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR AND HIT A SLIGHT INDENTATION IN THE ROAD WHERE IT HAVE BEEN NEWLY PAVED. I HEARD A LOUD "THUD" IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR FROM THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE. I PULLED OVER AND UNCOVERED THE WHEEL WELL AND SAW A HOLE WHERE THE STRUT MOUNT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR HOME AND CALL A CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WHILE TAKING THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC A COUPLE DAYS LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE MADE THE SAME LOUD "THUD". WITHIN A FEW MILES MY CAR STARTED FILLING UP WITH SMOKE THAT SMELLED LIKE BURNING RUBBER. WHILE GOING AROUND A SMALL CURVE MY SHOCK CAME OUT AND TORE OPEN MY NEW TIRE. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC TO GET IT FIXED. WHAT WE FOUND WAS A CORRODED PIECE OF METAL, WHICH I LATER FOUND OUT WAS MY "STRUT MOUNTS". I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT WITH MY STRUTS BEING ALMOST NONEXISTENT, AND THE TIRE BLOWING OUT THAT THE ACTUAL FRAME OF MY CAR COULD VERY WELL BE MESSED UP TOO. THE CAR IS STILL BEING FIXED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PART THAT WAS NEEDED WAS DISCONTINUED OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE. (I DID KEEP THE CORRODED PIECE OF METAL THAT WAS ONCE MY STRUT MOUNT.) *TR

• 12/09/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE HEADLIGHT CONTINOUSLY BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHP REPLACED THE LIGHT BULB, BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE HEAD LIGHT ASSMEMBLY APART AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRING SYSTEM HAD MELTED. *JB

• 12/05/2008· STEERING

  MY STEERING ALL OF A SUDDEN GOT LOCKED TO THE LEFT AND I ALMOST RAN INTO AND OTHER CAR. I WENT TO A REPAIR PLACE AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY RACK AND PINION. I JUST GOT BACK FROM A TRIP AND HAD NO PROBLEMS THANK GOD BUT TO GO OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN. IT SCARED ME PRETTY BAD I PARKED THE CAR IT IS TO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

• 12/03/2008· SUSPENSION

  I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE CONTROL ARMS ON MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS SEVERAL TIMES NOW. THERE IS CONSTANT KNOCKING UNDER MY CAR. I BELIEVE IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS ALL OF THE RECALLS THAT ARE WITH THE DODGE PRODUCTS; HOWEVER, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE DODGE STRATUS 2002. *TR

• 11/29/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I BOUGHT MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS IN OCTOBER OF 2004. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE WAS STILL THE FACTORY WARRANTY ON IT BUT FAILED TO TELL ME IT EXPIRED IN ONE WEEK. IT WAS AT THIS ONE WEEK MARK I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A TICKING NOISE TO THREE DIFFERENT PLACES, TWO OF THEM DODGE DEALERS AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. AS THE NOISE GOT WORSE, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME MY TIMING CHAIN WAS GOING OUT AND COULD RUIN MY WHOLE ENGINE AT ANY TIME. THE COST OF REPAIR WAS $800. I HAD TO FIGHT WITH CHRYSLER THAT A CAR THIS NEW SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THEY AGREED TO PAY HALF. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO RECENTLY REPLACE MY STARTER OCTOBER 2006 AFTER THE FUSE BLOWING THREE TIMES OF WHICH I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC IN ADDITION TO PAYING FOR REPAIRS. I HATE THIS CAR!!!!!! *JB

• 11/28/2012· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND BEGAN MAKING A BEEPING NOISE. APPROXIMATELY 60 SECONDS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AS WELL AS DAMAGING THE DASH BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND AN ENGINEER WAS DISPATCHED TO INSPECT IT. OVER A MONTH LATER THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THEY DID NOT FEEL THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

• 11/28/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE COULD EXPLODE IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH DODGE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000.

• 11/18/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING AND ACCERLERATING, CAR STARTS TO JERK / HESITATE - POOR GAS MILEAGE - TAC FLUTTERS AND ENGINE REVS UP WHILE CAR IS PARK OR IN NEUTRAL. *LA

• 11/08/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

• 11/08/2004· POWER TRAIN

  1ST OCCURREE WAS SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, NEEDED NEW EGR VALVE. AFTER FULL INSPECTION OF VEHICLE ON A VERY BRIGHT DAY I FOUND SLICES IN SIDE WALLS OF TWO TIRES AND THE DOOR PANEL DRIVERS SIDE WAS BROKEN. CAR BROUGHT TO DEALER, SAID TO HAVE ORDERED PARTS AND REPLACED TIRES. TIRES NOT REPLACED. FEW WEEKS LATER, FRONT TIRE BLOW OUT. MAJOR ORDEAL WITH DEALER AND WARRANTY COMPANY TO BE RE-IMBURSED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT CAR BECAME VERY SLUGGISH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AN ODOR OR BURNING RUBBER WAS PRESENT. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER WAS INFORMED THE SOLEINOID TO TRANSMISSION WAS CLIGGED ANDWAS REPLACED AT MY COST. TWO WEEKES LATER THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WENT VEHICLE HAD 58,000 MILES. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER CLOSE BY TO HAVE REPAIRS COMPLETED, PLACE OF PURCHASE DEALER STATED NOONE WORKS ON OUR VEHICLES. CAR TRANSPORTED AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED. NEXT AFTER TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND VEHICLE BECAME DISABLED, RESULTS A SPEED CONTROL SENSOR IN TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT MY COST OUT OF POCKET. AGAIN JUST YESTERDAY, VEHICLE BECAME DISABLED, TOWED TO DEALER NOW AWAITING DISPOSITION. *AK

• 11/04/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2002 DODGE STRATUS SE. I PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH 35,000 MILES AND EVERYTHING APPEARED IN ORDER. SUDDENLY ONE DAY A LOUD CLICKING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR A BRAKE INSPECTION FOR THE CLICKING NOISE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR ROTER WAS WARPED. I EXPLAINED THAT THE NOISE WAS EMANATING FROM THE FRONT END. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE NOISE ORIGINATED IN THE REAR ROTERS AND TRAVELED THROUGH THE FRAME TO THE FRONT END.THE REAR ROTERS WERE RECUT. A FEW DAYS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED. I CALLED THE REPAIR SHOP BACK AND RELATED THAT THE NOISE WAS STILL COMING FROM THE FRONT END. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS SHOP HAS SEEN NUMEROUS STRATUS'S AND MANY HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE REPAIR SHOP DOES NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP. ADDITIONALLY,AFTER THE CLICKING NOISE WAS DISCOVERED I EXPIRIENCED THE BRAKES LOCKING UP TWICE. THE ABS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE WORKING. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRENTY NOW AND THE DODGE DEALERSHIP I SPOKE WITH STATED THAT THEY COULD FIX THE CLICKING NOISE AND THE ABS PROBLEM FOR $1500.00 A SEARCH OF YOUR DATA BASE REVEALED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING A SIMILIAR FRONT END NOISE AND ABS FAILURE. IF THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS VEHICLE'S SYSTEM THEN WHY ISN'T A RECALL BEING INITIATED. OR DOES IT TAKE A FATALITY TO GET THIS PROBLEM ADDRESSED.*AK

• 11/03/2006· STEERINGFire

  FAX FWD LTR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT , RE 2002 DODGE STRATUS THAT BLEW UP BECAUSE OF STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE. *TS THE MANFACTURE DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILTY FOR THE FAULURE. A YEAR LATER THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE, 06V001000. *NM

• 11/02/2004· AIR BAGS

  CLOCK SPRING FAILURE...AIRBAG LITE IS ON IS THE 1ST SIGN OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 10/28/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD 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. THE VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 10/23/2007· SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE HAD THE CONTROL ARM REPLACED ON THIS CAR TWICE ON THE SAME SIDE WITHIN A TWO YEAR PERIOD. NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR IT JERKS WHEN IT GETS UP TO 50 MPH. *JB

• 10/21/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. CAR WAS RUNNING AT EXTREMELY HIGH RPMS AT TIMES. GAS MILEAGE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN IN THE PAST. DODGE STATED ORIGINALLY THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE SPARK PLUGS. REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUGS. LIGHT CAME BACK ON TWO WEEKS LATER. THEY THEN STATED IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PULLEY ON THE END OF THE CRANK SHAFT THAT WAS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE AND TRIGGER THE LIGHT TO COME ON. AFTER 10 ADDITIONAL DAYS IN THE SHOP, THEY REPLACED THE PART. TODAY THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND AS OF NOW ARE UNSURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. TODAY IS THE 18TH DAY IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP IN THE PAST 6 WEEKS. *LA

• 10/18/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  SPEAKER IN THE BACK CARGO AREA STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE AND STEREO SHORTED OUT. *TR

• 10/17/2006· AIR BAGSCrash

  FIRST COMPLAINT...ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION ON WET ROADWAYS I WOULD BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN FARTHER BEHIND THAN NORMAL FOR MY STOP OR TURN. EVERY SINGLE TIME MY BREAKS LOCKED UP ON ME AND I SLID. A COUPLE OF TIMES ALMOST ENDED IN A COLLISION. I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DEALING WITH A TRAIN. WHEN I STOPPED THE TRAIN HIT THE FRONT END OF MY CAR. IT PULLED OFF MY BUMPER, HOOD, RADIATOR, COOLANT EACH LANDING AT LEAST 75 FEET AWAY. IT ALSO TWISTED MY ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, BENT MY FRAME, AND REAR AXLE. ALL THE WHILE MY BATTERY BLEW UP. OUT OF ALL OF THAT MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM

• 10/16/2006· AIR BAGS

  STARTED CAR, AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. BROKE WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS NONE. WANT TO FILE COMPLAINT AGAINST CHRYSLER CORPORATION. *NM

• 10/13/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ON MY WAY TO WORK ONE MORNING, THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. IT WAS TWO BLOCKS FROM THE HOUSE. I HAD 2 NEIGHBORS PUSH THE CAR BACK TO THE HOUSE. I EVENTUALLY TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS THE ENGINE. HE TOOK OUT THE PARTS TRYING TO REBUILD THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THERE WAS SLUDGE THROUGHOUT THE PARTS. HE THEN TOLD ME IT WAS NOT SAFE TO TRY AND CLEAN IT OUT, BECAUSE THERE IS NO GUARANTEE HOW FAR INTO THE ENGINE IT HAD GONE. I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE AN WHOLE NEW ENGINE. HE LOOKED FOR ENGINES BUT COULD ONLY FIND THOSE WITH HIGH MILEAGE. HE WAS NOT SURE IF THE ENGINE WOULD STAND-UP FOR LONG OR EVENTUALLY CAUSE ME TO HAVE TO CHANGE IT AGAIN. THE CAR IS STILL WAITING FOR AN ENGINE. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN A FINANCIAL SITUATION TO AFFORD IT. I RECENTLY STARTED TO LOOK AGAIN TO GET AN IDEA OF WHEN I MAY BE ABLE TO WORK ON THIS AGAIN. I REMEMBER HEARING THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE STRATUS' BUT WHEN I CALLED TWO LOCAL DEALERS FOR INFORMATION, THEY TOLD ME THEY DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

• 10/07/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE CAUSING BENT VALVES AND THE NEED TO REWORK THE TOP END OF THE ENGINE. IN DOING RESEARCH IT WAS FOUND OUT ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH THE 2.7L V6 AND THE FACT THAT THIS ISSUE LIKELY CAUSES CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

• 10/06/2015· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS COUPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. A MONTH AGO, WHILE DRIVING AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED, THE CONTACT STRUCK A DEER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED PAINS TO THE RIGHT LEG, RIGHT KNEE, AND FOOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE CONTACTED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE COMPLETED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

• 10/06/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  HAD PARKED VEHICLE. NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE DEPT CALLED AND ARRIVED TO PUT OUT FLAMES. CAUSE OF FIRE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED BY FIRE DEPT. *AK

• 10/02/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JANUARY 2006. I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, LITTLE THINGS KEPT GOING WRONG. I HAVE KEPT UP ON MAINTENANCE. 3 WEEKS AGO MY WATER PUMP WENT OUT. I PICKED UP MY CAR AFTER THE REPAIR AND THE OIL LIGHT WAS STILL ON. APPARENTLY WHEN THE WATER PUMP HAD FAILED, IT WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND SUCH INTO THE ENGINE. NOT TO MENTION THE SLUDGE. OF COURSE 2 DAYS AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR, THE ENGINE FAILED ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR. IT IS STILL IN THE SHOP. I AM HAVING TO HAVE A BRAND NEW ENGINE INSTALLED. *TR

• 10/02/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED FOUR TIMES SINCE PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE REVVED OUT OF CONTROL WHILE STOPPED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/18/2006 - THE IRS TIME THIS HAPPENED THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE WAS VERY BLACK AND THAT THE THROTTLE WAS POSSIBLY STICKING, CAUSING THE IAC MOTOR TO OVERCOMPENSATE. *NM

• 10/02/2004· AIR BAGSCrash

  I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I REAR ENDED THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME. THE FRONT OF MY CAR IS SMASHED PRETTY BAD. MY AIR BAG DIDN'T DEFLATE. I BELIEVE THAT IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFTEY HAZARD. *AK

• 09/27/2005· POWER TRAIN

  THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 59,000 MILES ON MY 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A POPPING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE SOUND WAS INTERMITTENT FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2005, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD WHISTLING SOUND AND STARTED TO SHIFT HARD AND/OR DELAY SHIFT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A HARD PART TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WAS $2100.00 AND THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF WARRANTY AT 50,000 MILES. *JB

• 09/27/2004· POWER TRAIN

  ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 9/15/04, TOOK IT TO DEALER ON 9/16/04 AND WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND NEEDED REPLACED. MY CAR AT THE TIME OF FALIURE HAD 43,125 MILES ON AND THAT IS IT, THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OR KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRANSMISSION GOING BAD, I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED JUST AS THE MANUAL SAYS TO AND THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS IS IT COST ME $1325 DOLLARS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION RE-BUILT. THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE RE-BUILT.*A

• 09/24/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHO, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

• 09/21/2004· POWER TRAIN

  CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHILE STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRANSMISSION DID NOT GOE INTO GEAR. CONSUMER HEARD A WHINING SOUND, THEN VEHICLE POPPED, AND WENT INTO GEAR. HOWEVER, THE WHINING SOUND DID NOT NOT STOP. *AK

• 09/20/2002· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN ACCELERATING VEHICLE STARTS TO JERK/HESITATE AND ACCELERATE WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.*AK

• 09/17/2006· SUSPENSION

  REAR STRUT MOUNT PLATES DISINTEGRATED TURNED TO POWDER CREATING UNSAFE CONDITION WITH REAR SUSPENSION. REPLACED STRUT AND PLATES. HAVE PIECES WHAT IS LEFT OF IT. *JB

• 09/16/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WATER OUTLET ERUPTED AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO RUN HOT. ALSO, THE ERUPTION KNOCKED A SLIGHT DENT IN THE HOOD. THE PART WAS ORDERED FROM THE MFR AND REPLACED THE NEXT DAY. *NM

• 09/15/2015· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED OVER TIME WITH THE REMAINING THREE BALL JOINTS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

• 09/15/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DURING DAILY DRIVING MY DODGE STRATUS 2.7 MOTOR FAILED. AFTER TAKING TO THE MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD IT WAS CAUSE BY ENGINE SLUDGE AND THAT THE REPAIR WAS GOING TO COST ME 4K. *TR

• 09/15/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  BRAKE FAILURE ON A DODGE NEON 2O02- WHILE GOING UP HILL AT 40 MPH AND COMMING ONTO A RED LIGHT THE CARS BREAKS FAILED TO CATCH. MY HUSBAND FLOORED THE BREAKS AND TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO PUMP THEM. 5-10 FEET FROM IMPACT THE CARS BREAKS CAUGHT AND STILL WE IMPACTED INTO A TOYOTA AVALON

• 09/14/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL SLUDGING PROBLEM, INTERNAL OIL LEAKING AND AN INCREASE OF ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION BY THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP DID NOT PROPERLY IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT HONOR ANY WARRANTY CLAIMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE DAMAGE WAS TOO EXTENSIVE TO FIX. THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERATIVE SINCE THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT.

• 09/13/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DRIVNG APPROX 40MPH WHEN ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF LIKE IT RAN OUT OF GAS (FULL TANK-ONLY 25 MILES ON THAT TANK USED). WOULD NOT RESTART, SOUNDED LIKE IT WANTED TO CATCH, BUT COULDN'T. TOWED TO DEALER-NOTHING FOUND. 8 HOURS LATER, CAR IDLING IN DRIVEWAY WHEN IT SPUTTERED AND DIED. RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES, TAKEN TO DEALER, NOTHING FOUND. NLM

• 09/11/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

• 09/09/2005· SUSPENSION

  DT: 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE PROBLEM WAS A BROKEN UPPER REAR RIGHT BALL JOINT. WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT 5 MPH HEARD A NOISE , AND THE BACK END OF THE CAR SETTLED DOWN, UPON INSPECTION THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WAS LEANING TOWARDS THE CAR. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE, AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. IT HAS BEEN FIXED AT THE COST OF $200. THERE WERE NO RECALLS. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NO ACCIDENTS. *AK *JB

• 09/06/2004· STRUCTURE

  I AM SUBMITTING A COMPLAINT ON THE PAINT OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE NOT CHECKED WITH MY WARRANTY YET. I LIVE IN A WARM CLIMATE THE CAR IS 2 YEARS OLD THE PAINT SHOULD NOT BE PEELING.*AK

• 09/04/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKE ROTORS. MECHANIC INDICATED NOISE WAS DUE TO ROTORS WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. *AK

• 09/03/2015· ENGINE

  THE INTERNAL WATER PUMP FAILED. THIS CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INTO THE OIL PAN. THE WATER GOT HOT ENOUGH ON A 600 MILES TRIP FROM FLORIDA TO MISSISSIPPI THAT IT BOILED AND CAUSED THE OIL TO TURN INTO SLUDGE (MOLASSES LIKE CONSISTENCY). THIS CAUSED A LACK OF LUBRICATION OF THE DUAL CAMSHAFTS WHICH IN TURN BURNED UP. END RESULT WAS ENGINE FAILURE.

• 08/31/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2002 DODGE STRATUS OIL SLUDGE ISSUES - MOTOR BLOWN - *TR