2001 Dodge Stratus complaints

I OWN A 2004 DODGE STRATUS THAT I CHANGED THE OIL IN EVERY 3500 - 4000 MILES EVEN THOUGH THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS CHANGES AT 7500 MILE INTERVALS. THE CAR HAD ROUGHLY 37000 MILES ON IT BACK IN 2006 WHEN THE 2.7L V6 ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL SLUDGING CAUSING AN OIL FLOW FAILURE. AT THE TIME I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS BAD LUCK, BUT NOW AFTER TWO YEARS I READ OF COUNTLESS THOUSANDS OF CASES WHERE PERSONS WITH THE SAME 2.7L ENGINE IN THERE DODGE OR CHRYSLER VEHICLES HAD ENGINES SEIZE, AND YET THE COMPANY DOES NOTHING FOR US. I STILL HAVE THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY BUT FRANKLY CANNOT AFFORD TO PUT A NEW MOTOR IN IT AS THE PRICE FOR THOSE IS SKY HIGH BECAUSE THERE IS SUCH A DEMAND TO REPLACE THEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS AS A CONSUMER WE DESERVE RETRIBUTION FOR THESE EXPENSIVE ENGINEERING FAILURES. *TR

DRIVING DOWN I-71 AT APPROX. 10:00PM AND THE REAR OF MY CAR STARTED TO SWAY ALOMOST CAUSING M,E TO LOSE CONTROL. I PULLED OVER AND REALIZED THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE HAD FAILED. THE SIDE WALL HAD BROKE DOWN AND CAME APART UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. SPEED WAS 67MPH AND THE TIRE HAD 35PSI IN IT AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. TREAT ON THE TIRE IS STILL APPROX 50%.

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE MORNING WHEN 2001 2.7L V-6 STARTED TO CHUG, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR DIED IMMEDIATELY. MY HUSBAND HAD TO PUSH TO SIDE OF ROAD. WE HAD IT TOWED LATER THAT MORNING TO MY PARENTS' HOUSE. ENGINE IS BLOWN OUT. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THESE ENGINES ARE EXPENSIVE TO FIX WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE OUR MAINTENANCE AND NEVER HAD ANY WARNINGS SIGNS BEFORE HAND. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO STEP UP BECAUSE WE PAY MONEY FOR THEIR PRODUCT AND NOTHING IS HOLDING. IS THAT ALL WE GET OUT OF OUR CARS IS 75,000- 100,000 THEN NOBODY SHOULD BY CARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SITUATION AND CHRYSLER NEEDS TO RECALL OR MAKE IT RIGHT BY OWNER. WE DID DO OUR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE AND NOW WE SHOULD HAVE TO BASICALLY THROW THE CAR OUT. IT IS EXPENSIVE TO FIX. HELP US BECAUSE SOMEONE MAY GET INJURED WITH THESE KIND OF MISHAPS. *TR

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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A FAINT GRINDING SOUND THAT GRADUALLY GREW LOUDER. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED AND THE COIL WAS GRINDING INTO THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 10/03/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE MAKING A U-TURN AT 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE LEANED HALFWAY DOWN TO THE GROUND. DODGE HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 73,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CRASH OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED ON JUNE 3, 2007. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND MOST OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. A MONTH LATER, ANOTHER CRASH OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIRS WAS $2,300. THERE IS AN ELECTRONIC STABILITY THAT TAKES OVER AND LEAVES THE CONTACT WITH NO CONTROL OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE MOST RECENT FAILURE AND THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS FROM THE COMPUTER CODES. THERE WERE A TOTAL OF FOUR VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE CRASH AND THREE OF THEM WERE DAMAGED, INCLUDING THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 126,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT A YEAR AGO PASSENGER REAR STRUT BROKE. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED THE TOP STRUT CLAMP OF THE SPRING CORRODED, CAUSING THE SPRING AND STRUT TO FALL OUT OF PLACE AND RUB AGAINST THE TIRE. HAD TO REPLACE TIRE AND STRUT. APPROXIMATELY $500.00 FOR BOTH. 6 MONTHS LATER THE DRIVER SIDE STRUT DID THE EXACTLY THE SAME THING. THE CLAMP CORRODED AND HAS FELL APART, CAUSING THE SPRING TO RUB AGAINST THEWHEEL ONCE AGAIN. THIS WAS DUE TO AN ALUMINUM ALLOY/METAL CORRODING. MANUFACTURER SHOULD KNOW THAT ALUMINUM CORRODES EXTREMLY BAD WHEN IT COME IN CONTACT WITH WEATHER.*AK

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 109,000 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE THERMOSTAT LIGHT TURNED ON, AND THE CONTACT PULLED OVER. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DID NOT TRY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO FIRESTONE CAR CARE, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED, BUT DID NOT SPECIFY HOW OR WHY.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE ENGINE AS SHE HAS FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT. UPDATED 07/10/07 *TR

ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 DODGE STATUS WITH A 2.7 LITER ENGINE, WANT TO REGISTER MY COMPLAINT OF AN ENGINE OIL LIGHT GOING ON AT IDLE. FROM WEB POSTING I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. IT HAS ABOUT 72,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS THAT HE BELIEVES SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN NHTSA RECALL 06V001000, CONCERNING STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE STREET IT CAUGHT ON FIRE BENEATH THE HOOD. EVERYTHING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD MELTED, AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH MANUFACTURER ABOUT HAVING THE VEHICLE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, BUT THEY STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE SAME FAILURE AS THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 100,000. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE PICTURES IF NEEDED. *AK UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB

OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES. SUDDENLY ONE DAY THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE HEAD GASKETS BLEW. SPENT OVER $1700 IN REPAIRS, THE FOLLOWING WEEK THE ENGINE BLEW A ROD. ENGINE IS IRREPARABLE! CAR HAS ONLY 86,000 MILES. HAVE ALL RECEIPTS FOR REPAIRS AND DIAGNOSIS THAT WERE MADE BY LICENSED MECHANICS. *NM

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CEASED TO FUNCTION. NO SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE ETC. NO WARNING LIGHTS ALSO. DEALER STATES THAT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHORTED OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB

I HAVE 2001 DODGE STRATUS THAT HAS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. TOOK IT TO 1 DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS THE BATTERY CHANGE THE BATTERY AND $179.00 LATER STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM DASH BOARD LIGHT ARE NOT WORKING THE BATTERY LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT STAY ON. YOU CAN NOT TELL THE SPEED OR SEE HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE. TRY TO GO TO DEALER HIS SHOP CLOSED FOR GOOD. WHEN TO ANOTHER DEALER SAID IT WAS A CLOSTER AND AFTER $800.00 STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM. TOOK IT BACK TO HAVE HIM FIX IT RIGHT THEY DECLINE TO FIX IT. WHAT DO I DO? THIS IS MY DAUGHTER CAR AND IT IS A DANGER TO DRIVE. *NM

NOTICED MY CAR SEEMED TO BE LOSING PERFORMANCE. FAILURE STARTED WHEN MY CAR WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING WHEN I TURNED ON THE HEAT. THIS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN ONE DAY AND THE FOURTH TIME I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE 5. I DID HAVE FIRESTONE CHECK THE VEHICLE AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. I SEARCH THIS SITE FOR RECALLS AND FOUND RECALL NUMBER 00V299002 WHICH STATES " PROLONGED WIRING HARNESS CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SHIELD WILL CAUSE THE WIRING INSULATION TO WEAR AND EVENTUALLY TO GROUND OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO DIE OUT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH" WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT I'M EXPERIENCING WHEN I DRIVE. I HAVE KEPT UP THE MAINTENANCE ON THIS VEHICLE WITH JIFFY LUBE AND FIRESTONE, SO THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON WHY THIS IS HAPPENING OTHER THAN A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. I CALLED THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER AND THEY BOTH STATED THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY DODGE STRATUS 2001 FOR THIS PROBLEM. I WAS IN SHOCK TO THINK THAT NHTSA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THERE PRODUCTS ARE NOT. HOPEFULLY, THIS COMPLAINT WILL SPARK THE MANUFACTURER TO MAKE THIS A RECALL AND PREVENT MYSELF AND OTHERS FROM BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT, DUE TO NO FAULT OF OUR OWN. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CAR AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND TRIED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR POSSIBLE LEAKS, BUT THERE WERE NONE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FIVE TIMES. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE VALVE FAILED. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN 2003 WHEN THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 20,000 MILES. THE DODGE DEALER STATED THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME INCIDENT. THE CONTACT HAS TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES FOR REPAIRS INVOLVING THE SAME FAILURE SINCE 2003. A REBUILT ENGINE WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE ON ONE OCCASION IN 2003. THE CARWAS 5 YEARS OLD WITH 51,000 MILES. THE CONTACT TRIED TO REGISTER THIS ISSUE WITH CHRYSLER 3 YEARS AGO BUT WAS NOT SURE IT IT WAS SUCCESSFUL . THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME. *AK UPDATED 01/29/07. *JB

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN JULY 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS OKAY UNTIL FEB-2006, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK VERY HARD AND LOOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST 3 TIMES AND STILL WAS NOT REPAIRED. I WAS TOLD THAT HE COULD NOT FIX IT. THE VEHICLE IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING AND ON TOP OF IT LOSING POWER, IT CUTS OFF. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

2002 HAD TO REPLACE POWER STEERING PIPE, MANUFACTURED TO LEAN ON THE INTERIOR AUTO BODY, IN WHICH ENGINE VIBRATION RUBBED HOLE IN IT. 2002 FRONT RIGHT WHEEL MAKES CONTINUOUS LOUD HIGH PITCHED WHISTLE NOISE, STILL DOES. DEALERSHIP DISCOUNTED IT AND DIDN'T KNOW WHY IT SOUNDED LIKE THAT. 2002-2006 ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING, ODOMETER GOES CRAZY UP AND DOWN 2006 CLOCK SPRING KEEPS BREAKING, NO POWER TO AIR BAG OR HORN. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE AND THERE WAS A CLICKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED A SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE IN THE FRONT UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER.

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.

OIL SLUDGE FAILURE OF A DODGE/CHRYSLER 2.7L ENGINE. *JB

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.

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

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

DT: THE CONTACT STATED IN DECEMBER 2005 THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTERWARDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, AND A THERE WAS A CRACKLING NOISE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE STEERING COLUMN. ALSO, THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WERE INOPERATIVE. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 0801001 ON THE CLOCK SPRING. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE , AND THIS BENT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT AND REAR RIMS. THE DEALERSHIP AGREED THE RIMS WERE TOO SOFT. BUT STATED NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITH THESE RIMS. THE CONTACT STATED IF THE TIRES WERE TO GO FLAT THEY COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGED RIMS. *AK

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

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 I

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

RIGHT REAR AXEL BROKEN, BOTH REAR BALL JOINTS BROKEN AND REAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS BROKEN ON DODGE STRATUS, 2001, WITH ONLY 26,000 MILES. FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY. BOTH REAR BALL JOINTS AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS SHOWED EXCESSIVE PLAY. *NM

REAR TOP MOUNTS ON BOTH THE REAR STRUTS CORRODED INTO SEVERAL PIECES. VERY POOR MANUFACTURING USING CHEAP POT METAL AS THEY WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED FROM SALT,ETC. COULDN'T FIND REPLACEMENT STRUTS IN STOCK ANYWHERE(OUT OF STOCK AND ON BACK ORDER CROSS COUNTRY) AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION. BOTH STRUTS WENT WITHIN A TWO WEEK PERIOD AND I ENDED UP GETTING TWO USED STRUTS FROM A JUNK YARD OFF OF A 2004 STRATUS WHICH HAD BEEN TOTALLED WITH 2000 MILES ON IT.

DODGE STRATUS 2001, 46000 MILES. CAR WAS PURCHASED USED FROM THE US GOVERNMENT ON PUBLIC SALE. AIR BAG LIGHT ON, HORN DOES NOT WORK, CRUISE CONTROL ALSO AFFECTED. THIS IS CAUSED BY FAULTY CLOCKSPRING PART LOCATED IN STEERING WHEEL. I CALLED DODGE AFTER DISCOVERING ON YOUR WEB SITE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 1,500,000 GRAND CARAVANS THAT HAD A SAME PROBLEM CAUSED BY THEIR FAULTY CLOCKSPRING. GRAND CARAVANS ALSO HAD AIR BAG LIGHT ON, HORN WAS NOT WORKING AND CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF. I EXPRESS MY CONCERN TO DODGE SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I WAS HOPING THEY WILL CONSIDER FIXING THIS. I BEEN TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND AFTER THEY RECEIVE RESULTS THEY WILL CONSIDER FIXING THIS. DIAGNOSTICS WERE PERFORMED AND RESULT WAS THAT THE CLOCKSPRING WAS BROKEN. DODGE DECLINED MY REQUEST FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM. I END UP PAYING FOR DIAGNOSTICS TO FIND OUT WHAT I ALREADY KNEW. I BELIEVE THAT CLOCKSPRING MECHANISM FOR DODGE STRATUS IS SOMETHING WHAT SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS MODEL SINCE IT IS SAFETY ISSUE, THAT APPEARED ON OTHER RECALLED MODELS.

MY CAR IS A 2001 DOGDE STRATUS 4 DOOR ES. THE CAR HAS 57,000 MILES ON IT. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE I ALSO PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRENTY FROM THE DEALER. THE WAS FROM FIRST EXTENDED SERVICE CORP. GANLEY EAST INC. AT 28840 EUCLID AVE. WICKLIFFE, OHIO 44092. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THURSDAY 6-16-05, STARTING OUT ON SIDE ROADS TO THEN THE FREEWAY AND THEN TO A MAIN ROUTE TO MY WORK. AFTER GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY I HAVE ABOUT A 15 MIN RIDE. AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING LOT I HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE CAR AT THIS POINT HAD A HARD TIME MOVING. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PLACE TO SEE IF THE BROKEN (FRONT, PASSENGER SIDE) CONTROL ARM / BALL JOINT WAS COVERED AND THEY SAID YES. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHICH COSTED ME $100.00. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE CAR AND TOLD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT THE REASON THE CONTROL ARM SNAPPED WAS BECAUSE OF RUST OR CORROSION. BEING A MAJOR PART ON THE CAR AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS IF THE PART WOULD OF SNAP AS I WAS DOING 65 ON THE FREEWAY, I MIGHT NOT OF BEEN HERE TYPING THIS COMPLAINT. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS OUT OF THERE HANDS UPON PAYMENT AND BEFORE THIS THE EXTENDED WARRENTY COMPANY SAID IT WAS OUT OF THEIR HANDS AS WELL BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID THAT IT FAILED BECAUSE OF RUST. AT THE DEALER I WAS NEVER ASKED IF I WANTED THE BAD PARTS BACK OR TO SEE THEM, THEY NEVER WASHED MY VEHICLE AFTER THE SERVICE AND AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER AND DRIVING 2 MILES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND SUPPOSEDLY INSPECTED T

DRIVER WOULD HEAR A RATTLING NOISE CONTINUOUSLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION,LEFT/RIGHT. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE RATTLING NOISE MADE A LOUD SNAP AS IF SOMETHING INSIDE THE COLUMN WAS BROKEN. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE HAS NOT BEEN EFFECTED. ALSO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ALSO INOPERATIVE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL TO COLLAPSE WITHIN THE WHEEL WELL OF MY 2001 DODGE STRATUS ES. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS IS THAT CONTROL COULD HAVE BEEN LOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT HARMING MYSELF OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED OFF THE HIGHWAY. I THEN HAD TO AGAIN PAID FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR.

THERE WAS A COMPLAINT I JUST READ BY [XXX] ODI CSE NUMBER[XXX], AND I AGREE WITH HIM ABOUT THIS COMPLAINT BE HANDLED AS A TOP PRIORITY INVESTIGATION. I BOUGHT THIS AS A USED CAR, I KNEW I'D END OF HAVING TO PUT SOME MONEY INTO IT SINCE I WAS NOT BUYING A BRAND NEW CAR. BUT I'VE ONLY HAD IT FOR 6 MONTHS AND HAVE TO PUT QUITE OF BIT INTO IT. IT HAS 59,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE HAD TO GET THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. A MONTH LATER WE HEARD A NOISE WHEN WE STEERED. WE ADDED POWER STEERING FLUID CAUSE WE NOTICED IT WAS LOW. ONLY TWO DAYS AFTER WE HEARD THE NOISE WHICH GOT LOUDER WAS HARD TO STEER. I DRIVE MY TWO YOUNG KIDS WITH THIS CAR AND FELT UNSAFE IN IT. A FRIEND OF OURS WHO IS A MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THERE WAS A LEAK SINCE THE FLUID WAS ALMOST EMPTY AGAIN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS POWER STEERING LINE. IT WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE A/C LINE WHICH IS METAL AND WORE A HOLE IN THE LINE. MY MECHANIC SAID THIS LINE WAS IN BACK ORDER (OBVIOUSLY IN HIGH DEMAND). WHEN HE FINALLY GOT IT IN, SEEMS LIKE DODGE HAS MADE SOME CHANGES ON THE DESIGN. THIS WAS MY FIRST DODGE VEHICLE I HAD PURCHASED AND FIRST USED VEHICLE ALSO. BECAUSE OF THIS, THIS WILL BE THE LAST FOR DODGE AND USED. I AGREE WITH [XXX]. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED THOROUGHLY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. AGAIN MY CAR HAS ONLY 58,000 MILES ON IT AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING SUCH SERIOUS FAILURES. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGH CAME ON 12/15/04 @ 36,355 MILES. TOOK TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER ABOUT ENGINE NOISE. THEY SAID THEY CAN SEE SLUDGE BUILDUP ON OIL CAP. TECHNICIAN SAID HE HEARD A CHRYSLER 2.7 LITER ENGINE WAS HAVING A SLUDGE PROBLEM. THEY CHANGED OIL AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. 1/13/05 36,626 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME TOOK TO LOCAL DODGE DEALER FEENY WHO INFORMED ME THAT THEY FOUND SLUDGE BUILDUP ON OIL CAP. IT WOULD COST $600--$1000 JUST TO PULL ENGINE A DO FURTHER INVESTIGATION BECAUSE ENGINE IS HARD TO WORK ON. SERVICE MANAGER SAID CHRYSLER NOT ADMITTING DEFECTIVE ENGINE DESIGN. NOTHING THEY CAN DO EVEN THOUGH IT IS BARELY OF 36,000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD. SUGGESTED I CHANGE OIL EVERY 1000 MILES OR MONTHLY UNTIL CONDITION LESSENS. HAD THEM CHANGE OIL. 2/15/05 36,874 MILES, CHANGED OIL AGAIN. 4/4/04 37,345 MILES, CHANGED OIL AGAIN. 4/28/05 ENGINE MADE KNOCKING TYPE SOUND WHEN STARTED. GOING TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO FEENY CHRYSLER FOR EVALUATION.

2001 DODGE STRATUS - CRACKLING SOUND IN STEERING WHEEL, AIR BAG LIGHT ON , NO HORN. THE VEHICLE IS STILL OPERATING. THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER REPORT ON YOUR SITE OF THE SAME PROBLEM ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT CHECKED THE CRUISE CONTROL YET. DATE OF PRIOR COMPLAINT WAS 02/07/05.*AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED AS IF IT HAD STRUCK A POT HOLE. CONSUMER GOT OUT TO CHECK THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS NEARLY OFF. THE BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED.*AK THE MANUFACTURE OFFERS NO ASSISTANCE. REAR UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED AND 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT PERFORMED. *TT

01V005002/SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT MOVES WHEN BRAKING. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO WAS TELLING CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE DESCRIBED WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. ALSO VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING STIFF STEERING. WHEN TURNING LEFT, DRIVER CAN FEEL A RUBBING NOISE THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAN ONLY BE FELT WHEN THE DRIVER IS MAKING A LEFT TURN. *AK *TT

ENGINE FAILED AFTER 50,000 MILES, CAR OUT OF WARRANTY. OIL CHANGED VERY FREQUENT. AUTO MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. ALSO MILEAGE INCORRECT ON ODOMETER WHEN CAR WAS PURCHASED USED IN MAY 2004 CAR DEALER ALSO DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR INACCURATE ODOMETER. ALL I ASKED FOR WAS A COST CONSIDERATION IN REPLACING ENGINE. *NM

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK