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 1999 record →
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEALER DIDN'THAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO REPAIR THE FAILURE AND AFTER CALLING ANOTHER DEALER, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE AUGUST 2006. *AK UPDATED 02/22/07. *JB
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 1999 DODGE STRATUS CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW MANY DETAILS REGARDING THE FIRE. HE LEARNED ABOUT THE FIRE APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AFTER THE INCIDENT, WHICH OCCURRED IN AUGUST. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE ONLY DETAILS THE CONTACT KNOWS IS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, WHEN THE DRIVER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE DRIVER THEN PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL LETTER E23 & C45 AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NM
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE; WITHIN TEN MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT A REPAIR SHOP THE DAY PRIOR TO THE FIRE AND FOUND THE VEHICLE TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, NUMBER 06V001000) REGARDING THE STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS, AND BELIEVES THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE CURRENT MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. *NM
TL* - THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING A RECURRING INCIDENT, THE AIR AND THE HEAT OPERATES ONLY ON HIGH OR OFF, THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY FOR THIS INCIDENT; HOWEVER, IT RECURRED WITHIN ONE WEEK OF THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT AND IS NOW STATING THAT THE INCIDENT MAY BE ENGINE RELATED. THE CONTACT IS SCHEDULING ANOTHER REPAIR FOR THIS FAILURE. *NM
REGARDING RECALL NOTICE ON A 1999 DODGE STRATUS HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE**CC THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED. *JB
ON DECEMBER 30, 2006 AT 6:10 A.M. (PST) OUR VEHICLE (1999 DODGE STRATUS, CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED SIGNIFICANTLY. MY WIFE LEFT HOME FOR WORK AROUND 5:18 A.M. AND ARRIVED AROUND 6:00 A.M. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS A CO-WORKER CAME IN AND SAID THERE WAS A VEHICLE ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. AFTER DESCRIBING THE VEHICLE AND ITS LOCATION MY WIFE REALIZED THAT IT WAS HER VEHICLE HER CO-WORKER WAS TALKING ABOUT. SHE WENT DOWNSTAIRS TO FIND THE SANTA BARBARA FIRE DEPARTMENT ON SCENE ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH THE BLAZE. SHE NOTIFIED ME OF THE EVENTS AND I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO HER JOB. UPON MY ARRIVAL I SPOKE WITH THE FIRE CAPTAIN (NAME UNKNOWN) AND HE INFORMED ME THAT IT TOOK THEM CLOSE TO 40 MINUTES TO EXTINGUISH THE BLAZE FIRST USING WATER, THEN UTILIZING FOAM. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. WE FILED A CLAIM WITH OUR AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE PROVIDER, INTERINSURANCE EXCHANGE OF THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB, AND THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THIS INDIVIDUAL REPORTS THE VEHICLE AS A TOTAL LOSS. I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT WHEN I CONTACTED OUR INSURANCE PROVIDER TO FILE A CLAIM I WAS ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY OUTSTANDING RECALLS ON OUR VEHICLE AND I INFORMED THEM THAT THERE WERE NONE. HOWEVER, ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2007 WE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (E23 - HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE) WHICH READS "THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ON YOUR VEHICLE MAY CRACK AND DEVELOP A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITI
ON TWO SEPARATE CRASHES CAR CAME OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE. FIRST TIME BROKE MIRROR OFF OF DRIVERS DOOR, THOUGHT MAYBE DIDN'T HAVE IT ALL THE WAY IN PARK UNTIL ONE WEEK LATER CAR WAS IN PARK GOT OUT WHILE CAR WAS RUNNING WITH TWO PASSENGERS INSIDE AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES WITH ME STANDING IN THE DOOR CAR KICKED OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE RUNNING ME DOWN. DOOR GOT STUCK IN DIRT AND BEND BACKWARDS CRUSHING THE FENDER. CALLED ONE DODGE DEALER AND THEY DENIED THERE BEING A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND WAS TOLD IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR CAR TO KICK OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE. CALLED A SECOND DEALER AND WAS TOLD YES THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL AND HE LOOKED UP MY VIN # AND SAID MY CAR HAD BEEN REPAIRED. MY HUSBAND SAID THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE TO TAKE CAR OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN AND UNLOCKED. CAR CAN ALSO BE BUMPED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. *JB
TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE 1999 DODGE STRATUS TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIRS AND WAS CHARGED FOR THE SERVICE. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR THE LABOR. UPDATED 01/29/07. *JB
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE 1999 DODGE STRATUS WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH HER VEHICLE. THE WEATHER WAS FINE, AND THE CAR WAS IMMOBILE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BROKE INTO THE HOOD OF THE CAR TO FIND THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 06V001000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS PICTURES ,AND COULD GET A REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN OFFERED NO RESOLUTION FROM THE DEALERSHIP CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO A NEARBY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06E088000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 99V244000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ALSO, WHILE TURNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A SQUEAKING NOISE CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. ALTHOUGH THE STEERING NOISE PERSISTED, THE DEALER WAS NOT ALERTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V001000, REGARDING THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NHTSA RECALL LETTER # 06V001000 REGARDING THE STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. SOON AFTER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS TOWED BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WERE IT WAS LATER EXAMINED BY AN INSPECTOR SENT BY THE INSURANCE AGENCY. UPON EXAMINATION THE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSE BY A DIRECT RESULT OF A MALFUNCTION IN THE POWER STEERING HOSE THAT ALLOWED STEERING FLUID 2 BE SPRAYED ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. UPDATED 12/15/2006 - *NM
UPON HAVING RECALL WORK DONE MECHANIC INSTALLED LEFT OUTER TIRE ROD UPSIDE DOWN CAUSING IT TO CONTACT THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL. *TS *JB
DROVE CAR TO HOSPITAL, CAME OUT AND FOUND CAR HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. *JB
I WAS IN MY 1999 DODGE STRATUS ALL OF MAYBE 15 MINUTES TRAVELING TO THE STORE. I TURNED IT OFF AND WENT IN THE STORE FOR MAYBE 5 MINUTES. I STARTED MY CAR AGAIN AND TRAVELED TO A FRIENDS HOUSE MAYBE 10 MINUTES FROM THE STORE. I WAS IN THEIR HOME PROBABLY 10 MINUTES TOPS. WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER MY HOOD AND FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF MY CAR. WE TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FINALLY ARRIVED MY CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE SO I JUST LOST MY CAR BECAUSE IT WAS TOTALED. THEN IN APRIL OF 2006 I GET A RECALL (E23) FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND I AM TOTALLY AMAZED. THIS IS PROBABLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR. I NOTIFIED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND THE SENT SOMEONE OUT TO TAKE PICTURES OF MY CAR AND THEN SENT ME A LETTER DENYING MY CLAIM. THE SAME COMPLAINTS WHICH ALERTED THEM OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE AND CAUSED THIS RECALL TO BE MADE, ARE THOSE WITH ALMOST EXACT CIRCUMSTANCES AS MYSELF. SO WHAT DO I DO NOW? THE GENTLEMAN AT CUSTOMER CLAIMS RESOLUTION GROUP FOR DAIMLER CHRYSLER STRESSED TO ME TO HIRE AND ATTORNEY. SO THIS IS WHAT I WILL BE DOING WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON JULY 26, 2006, WHILE AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM ALL OF THE VENTS RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE BECOMING ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, POWER STEERING FLUID HAD TO BE ADDED TO THE VEHICLE EVERY TWO-THREE WEEKS. A RECALL WAS FOUND ON THE INTERNET, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 06V001000; STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND AND CONNECTIONS THE SAME DAY AS THE INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT JUST RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER ON 8-8-06, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 06V0010000; REGARDING THE STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND AND CONNECTIONS.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HIGH PRESSURE STEERING HOSE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE STEERING HOSE. A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED PERTAINING TO THE HIGH PRESSURE STEERING HOSE #E23. HOWEVER, THE DEALER DETERMINED THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICE OR REIMBURSEMENT.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER BRAKE AREA AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED AT 35 MPH DURING DRY AND CLEAR ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON 03/15/06 WHERE A BRAKE KIT, AND BRAKE SHOES WERE INSTALLED. HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PROBLEMS PERSISTED. ON 03/20/06, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES SOLENOIDS WERE BROKEN. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND A NEW BRAKE KIT AND SOLENOID WERE INSTALLED ON 04/25/06. THE BRAKE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES WERE ALSO RE-DONE ON 05/09/06. AFTER EACH REPAIRS AT THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THE BRAKE PROBLEM RECURRED THEREFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 06/28/06. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS REPAIR INVOICES AND FAILED PARTS AVAILABLE.
SAFETY RECALL E23 - HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE. *TS THE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 50-55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT NOTICED GREY SMOKE ESCAPING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WAS ALERTED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. A REPRESENTATIVE OF DAIMLER CHRYSLER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON 06/04/06, BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FEEDBACK. A LETTER WAS RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER DATED 06/09/06 THAT DECLARED DAIMLER CHRYSLER WOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE INCURRED DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. A CARD WAS ALSO RECEIVED FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER ALERTING THE CONTACT TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT RECALL E23 ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. ON 06/19/06, A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HIGH PRESSURE STEERING HOSE FOR THE VEHICLE THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED FOR REPAIRS PERFORMED PRIOR TO A RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS: 06V001000. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, A VAST AMOUNT OF SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS REPAIRED ON 10/31/05. IN MAY OF 2006, A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED FOR THE HIGH PRESSURE STEERING HOSE. THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE RECALL LETTER WERE FOLLOWED BY SENDING THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT, AND A COPY OF THE SAFETY RECALL TO DAIMLER CHRYSLER ON 06/06/06. WHEN DAIMLER CHRYSLER WAS CALLED ON 06/19/06, THEY DETERMINED THE CONTACT'S MECHANIC NEEDED TO BE CONSULTED FOR MORE QUESTIONS. EVENTUALLY, REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE PART NUMBER WAS NOT LISTED ON THE INVOICE AND THE FILE WAS CLOSED. THE CONTACT WAS WILLING TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR THIS REIMBURSEMENT ISSUE.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AT AN UNREASONABLE EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME CONTRARY TO THE TIME PERIOD STATED IN THE RECALL LETTER. THE NHTSA RECALL # 06V001000 REGARDING THE POWER ASSIST; HOSE, PIPING AND CONNECTIONS.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS CURRENTLY NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED, NHTSA # 06V001000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
1. DURING A REGULAR MOTOR OIL CHANGE ON A SPECIALIZED CENTER, THEY NOTED A LOW LEVEL OF POWER STEERING FLUID, AND SUGGESTED ME TO FILL THE POWER STEERING CANISTER. 2. POWER STEERING LEAK OVER THE MANIFOLD, WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM AROUND THE HOOD AFTER A TRIP. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME, A LOT OF WHITE SMOKE AND PIECES OF DON'T KNOW WHAT WERE ON FIRE UNDER THE CAR. THE MECHANISM TO OPEN THE HOOD FAILED AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. 3. NO TIME TO CORRECT FAILURE, THE HOOD. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED LESS THAN 10 MINUTES IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN IT ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE BEGAN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMAL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALERTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS INVESTIGATING THE FIRE. *AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS OIL ON THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS A CRACKED HEAD GASKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
THE FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD BURNING ALL THE COMPONENTS UNDER THE HOOD. *NM
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
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
ON THANKSGIVING DAY OF 2005 I PICKED UP MY 74 YEAR OLD GRANDMOTHER, WHO IS BLIND TO GO SEE MY MOM, WHO LIVES ABOUT AN HOUR AWAY FROM ME. AS WE WERE APPROACHING MY MOTHER'S HOUSE, I HEARD A POPPING SOUND FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE POWER STEERING HOSE FROM MY 1999 DODGE CHRYSLER STRATUS AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. SMOKE AND FIRE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I STOPPED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. I FROZE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND REALIZED WE HAD TO GET OUT FROM OUT OF THE CAR. I WENT AROUND TO GET MY GRANDMOTHER OUT AND THE LOCKS WENT DOWN AUTOMATICALLY. I OPENED HER DOOR AND TOLD HER TO GET OUT, HOLD ON TO ME AND RUN AS FAST AS SHE COULD. SHE ASKED ME WHAT WAS GOING ON AND I TOLD HER THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND COULD BLOW UP. WE STARTED RUNNING AND SCREAMING FOR HELP. PEOPLE CAME OUT OF THEIR HOUSES AND TWO MEN TRIED TO PUT DOWN THE FIRE BUT TO NO AVAIL. AFTER A WHILE, THE FIRE DEPT AND POLICE ARRIVED. THE FIRE DEPT. WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT THE CAR'S FRONT WAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED. THE FIRE INSPECTOR TOLD ME HE HAD HEARD OF SIMILAR STORIES WITH THIS CAR. I CALLED CHRYSLER CORP IN PUERTO RICO AND THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN INSPECTOR FROM CHRYSLER COMES DOWN TO PUERTO RICO AND INSPECTS THE CAR TO SEE IF THEY ARE LIABLE OR NOT. MEANWHILE, I HAVE TO PAY FOR A TOW TRUCK TO BRING THE CAR TO WHEREVER IT IS THEY WILL INSPECT IT AND ALSO, THE LADY WHO TOOK MY COMPLAINT AT CHRYSLER SAID IF THEY FIND THERE WAS A DEFECT, I HAVE TO W
CONSUMER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DODGE STRATUS 1999. *TS (11/17/05) THE A/C STOPPED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS DAMAGED AT PURCHASE. *SC
DT: WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONSUMER'S MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS BURNED. THE MECHANIC GAVE THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP BACK TOT HE CONSUMER. DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE CONSUMER PREFERRED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO HER MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CALLED THE MECHANIC TO CONFIRM HER STORY. *AK *NM
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 FOR NHTSA RECALL 04V021000 REPAIRS. RECALL WAS CORRECTED, HOWEVER, THEY CHARGED THE CONTACT FOR CYLINDER LOCK/IGNITION LOCK, NEW KEY, AND RECODED CYLINDER, WHICH TOTALED $406.00. HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THESE REPAIRS WHERE NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL, AND THAT THEY HAD TO BE DONE TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS. ALSO, CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK
CONSUMER LETTER REGARDING THE SAFETY RECALL FOR THE TRANSAXLE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION / PARK INTERLOCK.*MR THE CONSUMER HAS ALREADY SENT IN THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK REGARDING A REIMBURSEMENT. *JB
ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON MY 1999 DODGE STRATUS. PARKED VEHICLE AND WENT INSIDE THE STORE, AND CAME OUT AND VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOUSE. CONTACTED DODGE, THEY SENT OUT AN INSPECTOR TO REVIEW THE VEHICLE. THE INSPECTOR SAID, THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE EXPLODED AND DO NOT FIX THE VEHICLE, DODGE WILL FIX THIS FOR YOU. REC'D A LETTER FROM DODGE, STATING THEY DENIED MY CLAIM TO FIX VEHICLE, BUT WOULD NOT OFFER ANY REASON. THEY ALSO WOULD NOT GIVE ME A COPY OF THE INSPECTION REPORT, THEY INDICATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY TO GET A SUBPOENA TO GET A COPY OF THE REPORT. CALLED THE INSPECTOR BACK, FOUND THAT REALLY STRANGE THEY ALWAYS GIVE THE REPORTS OUT AND THEY MUST BE HIDING SOMETHING. CALLED DODGE 4 DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEY WERE RUDE AND HUNG UP ON ME. THEY WOULD NOT TRANSFER ME TO ANY ONE, AND DID NOT ANSWER MY QUESTIONS. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE, I THANK GOD EVERYDAY THAT MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. NOW I HAVE TO RELY ON OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR MYSELF TO GET TO WORK AND MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT WITH 2 SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN AND 1 INFANT.*JB
DT: ON 8-25-05 THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE PARKED WHEN HIS WIFE CAME OUT OF THE STORE TO FIND THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE COMPUTER AREA, BUT BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE HE COULD NOT BE SURE. THERE HAD BEEN NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS OR WARNINGS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. *AK
DT: AFTER THE CONSUMER DROVE FOR AWHILE PARKED THE VEHICLE, SHE CAME OUTSIDE AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS FIRE AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SCRAPPED AND NO ONE HAD LOOKED AT IT. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE RADIO HAD TURNED ON WHILE THE KEYS WERE OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
CAR WAS WORKING FINE, TUNED UP IN MAY, KEPT UP ON OIL CHANGES, ETC. MY FIANCE WAS ON THE WAY HOME FROM GETTING THE TIRES ROTATED AND NOTICED SMOKE. HE PULLED OVER AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. HE GOT BACK IN AND FLAMES STARTED TO SHOOT OUT. FIRE DEPT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. MOST OF THE FRONT END IS COMPLETELY INCINERATED. THE RADIATOR AND ENGINE BLOCK HAD TO BE SWEPT UP. FRONT END COMPLETELY MELTED. IT'S UNDER INVESTIGATION.
AFTER DRIVING SHORT DISTANCES (UNDER 15 MILES) THE PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK DOES NOT ENGAGE. IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN ALL THE WAY TO THE OFF POSITION, CAN NOT BE REMOVED, AND THE SHIFTER CAN MOVE FREELY WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE SHIFTER BUTTON. SHIFTER BUTTON BECOMES SOFT AND DOES NOT LOCK. THIS CAN OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT ENGINE RUNNING. THIS BEGAN HAPPENING AFTER SAFETY RECALL #04V021000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT) WAS COMPLETED. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE ON JULY 23, 2005. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON AUGUST 10, 2005 ON THE FLOOR SHIFT. SHE SAID THAT THE FIRE WAS FIRST NOTICED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE MARSHAL WAS UNSURE OF WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED. HER UNCLE, A FIRE FIGHTER, FOUGHT A FIRE ON JULY 1, 2005 ON A VEHICLE WITH SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERATING ANY DIFFERENTLY BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR LESS THAN 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED. BOTH THE CONTACT AND HER HUSBAND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING WHEN THEY GOT OUT OF THE CAR BUT DID NOT SAY ANYTHING TO EACH OTHER ABOUT IT. THEN , AFTER THE FIRE WAS NOTICED THEY ANNOUNCED AT THE BOWLING ALLEY THAT SOMEONE'S VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THEY WENT OUTSIDE AND FLAMES WHERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE HOT SPOT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE LAST WEEK. CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. WHEN CONTACT WENT OUT TO VEHICLE IT HAD BEEN BURNT UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIREMAN COULD NOT TELL HOW FIRE STARTED, BUT IT DID START ON THE FIRE WALL. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVING PERFECTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN OUTSIDE, TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES WHILE SHE WAS IN THE STORE, AND THEN CONTACT WAS PAGED TO COME OUT TO CAR. IT BURNED UNDER THE HOOD AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE. *AK
DT: CONSUMER BOUGHT CAR IN 1999. TWO YEARS LATER TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND CONSUMER PAID $2,500 TO REPLACE IT. CONSUMER SAID THAT WHEN SHE GOT INTO VEHICLE AND SOMETIMES WHEN SHE LEFT VEHICLE THE DOORS DID NOT LOCK, AND SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL DOWN. CONSUMER THOUGHT SHE HAD ALL THIS FIXED, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. DASHBOARD SHUT DOWN/GAUGES DID NOT WORK, AND TDASHBOARD ILLUMINATION MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN CONSUMER DROVE DASHBOARD CA ME ON AT ONCE/GAUGES WILL BEGAN WORKING, AND LIGHT CAME ON . CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE WIRING AND SENSORS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
I WAS BORROWING MY PARENTS 1999 DODGE STRATUS .I STAOPPED TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN AT THE DAYCARE.. LEFT THE CAR FOR ONLY 2 MINUTES AND WHEN I RETURNED TO LEAVE THE CAR WAS ON FIRE..THERE WAS A BLACK SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE WHOLE MOTOR WAS ON FIRE..THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE NOTHING ON THE INTERIOR WAS RUINED ONLY THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE MOTER LOOKS LIKE A HEAP OF MELTED PLASTIC. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WAS GOING UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN SOMEDAYS IT WOULD BE STUCK UP AND SOMEDAYS IT WOULD BE STUCK DOWN.. LUCKILY MY PARENTS HAD INS TO COVER THE VEHICLE WHICH NOW IS A TOTAL LOSS BUT NOW THEY NEED MONEY FOR A DOWN ON ANOTHER VEHICLE.. ANYONE WITH AN ATTORNEY OR OTHER INFO PLEASE CONTACT ME. [email protected]
VEHICLE FIRE
THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED AT A JUNK YARD. UPON INSPECTION, I REALIZED IT BURNED EXACTLY AS MINE (ALREADY REPORTED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE). STEVE CHAN ASK ME FOR THE VEHICLE VIN NUMBER
MY WIFE DROVE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND PARKED THE 1999 DODGE STRATUS. AT THAT MOMENT, MRS. APONTE SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. BY THE TIME THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY FIREMEN, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE FIREMEN TOLD HER THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAULT WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE BURNED MORE BY THE DRIVER SIDE.
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE RESIDENCE AND FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DRIVER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR RECENT REPAIR PRIOT TO THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK
THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON ITS OWN 10 MINUTES AFTER IT WAS PARKED. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A WIRE SHORT IN THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE.*AK
ON DEC. 12, 2004 MYSELF, MY DAUGHTER , & HER STEP-DAUGHTER WERE ON OUR WAY TO GO SHOPPING APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES FROM HOME. WE STOPPED AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES AND ATE LUNCH, THEN CONTINUED THE OTHER 15 MILES. WE EXITED THE 1999 DODGE STRATUS AND ENTERED THE STORE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MINUTES, AN IN-STORE PAGE WENT OUT THAT A VEHICLE OF OUR DESCRIPTION WAS SMOKING BADLY. WHEN I LOOKED OUT THE STORE WINDOW, I SAW THE VEHICLE WAS MINE. I RAN OUT TO THE PARKING LOT TO FIND MY CAR (1999 DODGE STRATUS) MOTOR WAS ON FIRE WITH FIRE COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE MOTOR AND BLACK SMOKE BOILING OUT. BY THE TIME EMERGENCY VEHICLES ARRIVED (POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT), MY CAR WAS FULLY IN FLAMES. FIRE FIGHTERS EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE FINALLY, BUT MY CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. THE HOT-SPOT ON THE HOOD WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE WINDSHIELD. *JB
REAR SAFETY BELTS USED TO SECURE THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT BROKE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND SAID THEY'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. CONSUMER ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.*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 1999 Dodge Stratus → · Every Stratus year → · How the figures are calculated →