Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1997 record →
HEAD GASKET FAILED AT APPROX. 72,000 MILES. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN DODGE STRATUS AND DODGE NEON BASED ON ALL THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET. I WOULD LIKE DODGE/CHRYSLER TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM, AS I WAS TOLD THEY ARE AWARE A PROBLEM EXISTS AND HAVE SINCE CHANGE THE STYLE OF GASKET USED.*AK
THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN IT WAS STRUCK BROADSIDE. THE VEHICLE RAN INTO SOME TREES AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CONSUMER TRIED TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION. A FIRE STARTED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AREA. *SC *JB
I HAD NOTHING BUT MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MY DODGE STRATUS IT'S ONLY A 1997 WITH 86,582. I BOUGHT IT USED WITH 23,000 IN JANUARY OF 1999 FROM A CAR DEALER. I HAVE SPENT $2,335.30 IN REPAIRS IN 2002&2003 IN MAY & JUNE OF 2003 I SPENT $1,678.31 & $656.99 IN JULY 2002 STARTING WITH BRAKES BEING CONTAMIED ,WATER PUMP ,RADIATOR REPLACED,AND IT'S BEING DRIVEN LOCALLY NEVER BEEN OUT OF THIS STATE. I FEEL THIS IS A LEMON CAR BECAUSE OF THE MAJOR REPAIRS AND THE MILEAGE IS ONLY 74,153 WHEN I STARTED HAVING REPAIRS AND KEEP HAVING MAJOR REPAIRS TOTALLY $2,400 ONLY HAD IT 3 1/2 YRS. I FILED A REPORT WITH THE LEMON LAW IN WASHINGTON STATE.
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WAS USING AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF OIL, AND WAS LOSING PRESSURE IN THE MOTOR. A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. CONSUMER REPLACED THE MOTOR ONCE ,AND THE HEAD GASKETS ONCE. *AK
1997 DODGE STRATUS 2.0 SOHC MOTOR, BLOWN HEAD GASKET, BROKEN POWER STEERING PUMP, EGR VALVE STOPPED WORKING, LEAKS ALOT OF OIL OUT OF CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, HEATER CORE RUPTURED, HEATER HOSE RUPTURED ALSO, OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT STOPPED WORKING . *AK
WHEN TURNING THE TIRES MAKE A NOISE DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. *AK
THE DEALERSHIP IS PROVIDING INCORRECT INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM 97 V 201 000. THE DEALERSHIP IS INDICATING THAT IF THEY REPAIR THE CONTROL ARM AS STATED IN THE RECALL, IT WILL CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE SWAY BAR. THERE ALSO SOME DISCREPANCY ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE VIN IS PART WITHIN THE REMEDY SCOPE. *PH THE VEHICLE'S BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. *NLM
HEAD GASKET BLEW AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ABOUT AROUND 70,000 MILES. NOW THE CAR IS OVERHEATING AGAIN AND THERE APPEARS TO BE OIL IN THE COOLANT, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAVE RESURFACED AGAIN. GIVEN THE TREMENDOUS NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS LOGGED BY CONSUMERS ON THIS WEBSITE AND OTHERS, THE COMPANY SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION. *LA
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT RIGHT TIE ROD SNAPPED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ALL THAT DAY. IT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE UNTIL LATER ON. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO BACK UP BUT DIDN'T HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE FRONT END. VEHICLE WAS TOWED FOR REPAIRS THE FOLLOWING MORNING. *PH
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, UNDER NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS, A BULL WONDERED ONTO THE ROAD AND WAS HIT. UPON IMPACT WITH THE BULL FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES BASED ON DOCTOR'S EVALUATIONS. *AK
ENGINE EXPLODED WHILE PARKED IN SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. *AK
OIL LEAKS FROM HEAD GASKET IN 97 DODGE STRATUS 2.4 - SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM! WHEN WILL CHRYSLER OWN UP TO IT? PAID $700 FOR REPAIR.*AK
WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE THE ENGINE RACED, WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WAS PROPELLED BACKWARDS AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE RPM GADGE REGISTERED 8,000. I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR INTO PARK,IT HEISITATED THEN THE CAR WAS PROPELLED US FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED FOR ABOUT THIRTY FEET ON OUR DRIVEWAY, UNABLE TO STOP, HAVING THE BRAKES LOCK, THE CAR CRASHED INTO MY OTHER PARKED CAR AND THE PORCH OF MY HOUSE. FINALLY AFTER THE STRATUS PUSHED THE OTHER CAR TEN FEET TOWARDS THE ROAD ,MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO PULL THE KEYS OUT OF THE CAR. MY DAUGHTER RECEIVED A SLIGHT CONCUSSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. BY THE GRACE OF GOD THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN AT MY DAUGHTER SCHOOL FAIR TO WHICH WE WERE ON OUR WAY. CHRYLER WAS NOTIFIED CONCERNING THEIR PRODUCT DEFECT. A GENTLEMEN REPRESENTING THEM HAS INVESTIGATED, WE ARE AWAITING HIS FINDINGS. PLEASE MKE SURE TO CHECK THE THROTTLE SENSOR, YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!*AK
AFTER THE RECALL REGARDING THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS REPAIRED, IT THEN FAILED. RECALL # 97 V 201 000. *JB
AS MY '97 DODGE STRATUS ES (2.4L) APPROACHES 58,000 MI, IT APPEARS TO BE SELF-DESTRUCTING, OF COURSE THE ENGINE IS LEAKING OIL (1 QT/WEEK) AT THE INFAMOUS HEAD GASKET, COOLING SYSTEM IS FOULED (HEATER QUIT, FLUSH+CLEAN DIDN'T SOLVE) , AND I JUST GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY TO WORK! I HAVE BEEN A CHRYSLER CUSTOMER FOR DECADES, BUT HAVING A CAR THAT RUNS FINE FOR 55K AND THEN DIES BY 60K WILL MAKE ME BUY FOREIGN HOW MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE OIL LEAKS WILL IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL? (I HOPE I ADD TO THIS COUNT) MAYBE IF I GET THE NEXT STAGE, AN ENGINE FIRE, AT LEAST THE INSURANCE MIGHT HELP PAY FOR MY TOYOTA...*JB
HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 58K MILES, CAUSED OIL LEAK,LIKE SO MANY OTHER 1997 DODGE STRATUS WITH FOUR CYLINDER ENGINE, 2.4L.
VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL AND THE OIL LIGHT CONTINUE TO STAY ON. DEALER STATES THE VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKET HAS MALFUNCTIONED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER RECEIVED EXTENSIVE INJURIES. *JG
BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT 69,900 MILES. LEAKED OIL, NEVER OVERHEATED. POSSIBLE CRACKED HEAD.
HEAD GASKET OIL LEAK LOWER CONTROL ARMS BALL JOINTS TIE RODS
THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT WHICH WAS RARELY USED, HAD DETACHED FROM SEAT. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT IT LOOKED AS IF IT WERE CUT. NLM SCC
HEAD GASKET REPLACED AT 65K MILES. CHRYSLER PAID FOR PART.
THE HEAD GASKETS ON THE CAR HAVE GONE OUT TWICE, ONCE AT 37,000 MILES AND NOW AT 65,000 MILES. NOW THE DODGE DEALER IS SAYING THAT THE TIMING BELT PULLEY HAS LOCKED UP AND HAS SHREDDED THE BELT AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS TOLD ME THAT THE PULLEYS NEVER GO OUT AT THIS LOW OF MILEAGE. HOWEVER, I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER 1997 STRATUS OWNERS. I HAVE ALSO READ THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HEAD GASKETS. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ALSO WENT OUT ON THE CAR, I WONDER IF THIS WAS DUE TO THE OIL LEAKING ON IT FROM THE BLOWN HEADS. THIS PART IS STILL UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY, BUT WHAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN AFTER 80,000 MILES? I CANNOT IMAGINE WHY DODGE HAS NOT RECALLED THESE VEHICLES WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM? MAYBE THEY ARE WAITING ON A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM THE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO THE TIMING BELT FAILURE, OR FROM FIRES CAUSED BY THE OIL DRIPPING ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS EVERY 30,000 MILES AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO TRADE THE CAR BECAUSE I OWE WHAT THE CAR RETAILS FOR. I HOPE SOMEONE WILL HELP THOSE OF US WHO WERE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BUY THIS LEMON BEFORE LOTS OF DEATHS OCCUR. IF DODGE DOESN'T WANT TO HELP US. I THINK A CLASS ACTON LAW SUIT WOULD BE VERY APPROPRIATE. DT
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THE BRAKES WILL LOCK UP CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A VEHICLE ACCIDENT LEAVING SKID MARKS. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
BLOWN HEAD GASKET MASSIVE OIL LEAK. DT
THE CONSUMER WAS IN A THREE VEHICLE CRASH, IN WHICH HER VEHICLE WAS IN THE MIDDLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SCC
ON RETURNING FROM A CAMPING TRIP I WAS LOADING THE TRUNK WITH CAMPING GEAR. A COAT CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE TRUNK LIGHT BULB. I SMELLED SMOKE AND DISCOVERED THE SMOLDERING COAT, LUCKILY BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE TRUNK BULB IS EXTREMELY HOT AND NOT COVERED WITH NO WARNINGS POSTED. NLM
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WHILE DRIVING CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *TT
WHILE DRIVING 30MPH CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS IN NEUTRAL.*AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN APPROXIMATELY 4 HRS, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. APPARENTLY STARTED ON DRIVERS SIDE DASH AND SPREAD TO THE DRIVERS DOOR.*AK
ENGINE WILL CONTINUOUSLY OVERHEAT. ALSO, OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING.. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN DRIVE IT WILL SURGE FORWARD, AND IT WILL BE HARD TO STOP. SURGING CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BURNING THE DRIVER'S ARMS AND HANDS. DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AND TREATED FOR A BROKEN NOSE. THE SURGING HAPPENDED TWICE BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. *TT
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH CLUTCH FLEW OUT FROM UNDER CAR.*AK
ABS BRAKE SYSTEM BROKE AT ABOUT 13000 MILES. OLYMPIC DODGE SAYS THAT I MUST REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SPINDLES. THAT THEY ARE CRACKED. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER ON 07/10/2002. THEY HAVE ORDERED THE PARTS WHICH COST OVER $300.00. HOW CAN 2 SPINDLES FAIL AT THE SAME TIME. HOW CAN THEY FAIL WITH ONLY 13000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.*AK
VEHICLE HAS A MASSIVE OIL LEAK AND DEVOLPING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE IS LOOSING APPROXIMATELY 1-2 QUARTS A DAY. THE VEHICLE IS OVERHEATING WITHIN 5-10 MINUTES INTO DRIVING AND THE OIL IS BURNING OFF THE MOTOR. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THE HEAD GASKET IS FAULTY POSSIBLY DUE TO THE STYLE OR THE MATERIAL; AFFECTING THE SURROUNDING PARTS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*JB
VEHICLE WAS GOING 50MPH WHEN THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE STALLED. IMTERNITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL RESTART. THIS WAS SECOND TIME THAT VEHICLE HAS STALLED. ALSO, VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL CAUSED BY TIME BELT PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROBIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 30 MPH AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE BACKING OUT TIE ROD END FELL APART, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH REAR KNUCLE BROKE AND CAUSED RIGHT REAR WHEEL TO TURN UNDER AND FORCE VEHICLE OUT OF CONTROL INTO A DITCH. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *YH
WHILE DRIVING OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STALLED LOSING ALL POWER. TOOK VEHICLETO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED TIMING BELT AND PULLEY. TIMING BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. ALSO HAD COMPUTER REPLACED. *AK
LEFT CALIPER BURNED AND FROZE, DIGGING INTO THE ROTOR; RIGHT CALIPER ON THE VERGE OF DOING SO. THE CAR HAD PASSED RIGOROUS EQUIPMENT INSPECTION JUST 3 MONTHS BEFORE WITH NO WARNING OF IMPENDING EQUIPMENT FAILURE. CAR IS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY; DEALER SAID THAT ONLY THE COST OF THE CALIPERS WOULD BE COVERED. HAD CAR REPAIRED AT A LOCAL SHOP THAT GUARANTEES ITS WORK, BOTH PARTS AND LABOR.*AK
CAR WAS LEAKING ABOUT 1/2 QUART PER WEEK; LOCAL SHOP PUT DYE IN OIL SYSTEM TO FIND LEAK AT VALVE COVER. SEVERAL OTHER STRATUS OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM; OURS COST NEARLY $200. THIS IS THE MOST SECOND-MOST FRUSTRATING CAR WE HAVE EVER OWNED (THE FIRST WAS A USED LECAR). AFTER SO MUCH SATISFACTION WITH OUR 1990 SPIRIT, WE ARE SO DISPLEASED THAT WHEN WE REPLACE THIS CAR, WE WILL NOT EVEN CONSIDER A CHRYSLER PRODUCT.
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
HEAD GASKET FAILED. *AK
VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL. CONSUMER HAS TO FILL VEHICLE WITH OIL 3 TIMES A WEEK TO KEEP VEHICLE GOING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
WHILE STARTING VEHICLE IT STARTED TO SMOKE AND LOSE OIL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
THE POWER STEERING HOSE (PART NUMBER # 4764-347A / 0777C/ 25517 DF 3251 3/8" ID # 03067F1) IS LOCATED BEHIND THE CYLINDER BLOCK AND RUNS ALONG THE TOP OF IT FROM THE PUMP( LOCATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE'S MOTOR) TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE DOWN TO THE RACK & PINION. BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF THE HOSE WHEN IT RUPTURS/LEAKS ONTO THE EXHUST PIPE/MANIFOLD AND IGNITES THE POWER STEERING FLUID STARTING A FIRE. THIS SHOULD BE CORRECTED SO THAT IT IS PLACED LOWER OR AWAY FROM THE EXHUST PIPE/MAIFOLD. *AK
THE OIL LEAK HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND I TOOK IT SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER AS WELL AS OTHER MECHANICS TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS JUST THE OIL PAN LEAKING AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. NOW I FIND OUT THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $600.00. THE VEHICLE ISN'T EVEN PAID FOR YET. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR THIS PAST FALL. I ALSO HAD A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHENEVER I TURNED AND AFTER SEARCHING THE WEB I FIND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BALL JOINT FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL. I DON'T REMEMBER GETTING A NOTICE ABOUT THAT AND SHOULDN'T THE DEALER HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT RECALL NOTICE WHEN I HAD MY CAR IN REPEATEDLY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY COULDN'T SEEM TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG? INSTEAD THEY REPLACED THE BEARINGS AND TIEROD ENDS. I AM GETTING REALLY FRUSTRATED WITH DAIMLER CHRYSLER OVER THIS VEHICLE. AFTER ALL THE REPORTED COMPLAINTS JUST ON THIS WEBSITE AND YOU KNOW THERE ARE MORE OUT THERE, CHRYSLER SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AND AT A MINIMUM DO A 50-50 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS. YOU CAN BET I WON'T BE BUYING ANOTHER CHYRSLER PRODUCT.*AK
HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 70,000 MILES. COST 750.00 TO REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCHING, I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND CHRYSLER KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT DOES NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET ANY COMPENSATION FROM CHRYSLER FOR THIS? *AK
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1997 Dodge Stratus → · Every Stratus year → · How the figures are calculated →