10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,574 miles

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problem #117

Oct 212007

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Dodge Stratus. While driving 30 mph, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A police report was filed. The road conditions were normal. She noticed oil leaking after the crash. The repair shop stated that a new head gasket was needed. The current and failure mileages were 81,000. Updated 03-04-08

- Mount Pleasant, MI, USA

problem #116

Dec 241999

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,133 miles
The vehicle is a 1997 Dodge Stratus. At 27,000 the oil light came on while the consumer was driving and the vehicle cut off. When the consumer had it towed to the dealership they replaced the timing belt and pulleys. At 39,000 the engine would not start. When it was towed to the dealership again, they found that one coil was shorted, the PCM was bad, the timing belt had to be replaced again, they had to replace the module, the relay, and the plug wire. The whole electrical system had to be replaced. Later at 62,000 miles it was leaking oil and would not start. It was towed to the dealer were the timing belt had to be replaced a third time, the head gasket and package, the plug and plug wires, and the spark plugs were also replaced. Currently at 89,000 the timing belt and head gasket need replacing. The vehicle is over heating and will not start. This caused the heater core to go out. The cluster has gone out; the whole lighting system comes on and goes off without warning. These current problems have not been repaired as of now. There are other issues that are included in a recall for the lower ball joints and for the floor shifter. The vehicle was immobile so the consumer can not take it to the dealership to have the recalls repaired. The manufacturer told the consumer there was nothing they could do because the vehicle was out of warranty.

- Salisbury, MD, USA

problem #115

Oct 142004

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles
While having the heater core repaired dealership indicated that head gasket was leaking oil into the cooling system and onto the ground. This was a common failure with this vehicle, and there were numerous complaints listed on this issue.

- Middletown, NJ, USA

problem #114

Mar 242004

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Head gasket leaking oil into engine. All normal maintenance has been conducted regularly. At only 80K miles, this problem should not be occurring!! this is a very costly repair. Chrysler has offered only minimal assistance. This needs to be an official recall! please contact me with a response.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #113

Feb 052004

Stratus

  • 53,000 miles
While driving oil leaked from the head gasket without warning. The consumer had to refill the vehicle with oil often.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #112

Aug 202003

Stratus

  • 100,000 miles
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.

- Alma, AR, USA

problem #111

Oct 082003

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 70,000 miles
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.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #110

Aug 082003

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles
Engine exploded while parked in shopping center parking lot.

- Yucaipa, CA, USA

problem #109

Oct 032001

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
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.

- North Augusta, SC, USA

problem #108

Nov 012000

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
Head gasket replaced at 65K miles. Chrysler paid for part.

- Sanford, NC, USA

problem #107

May 282002

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine will continuously overheat. Also, oil and transmission fluid was leaking.. contacted dealer, and the dealer could not find cause of problem.

- Pikesville, MD, USA

problem #106

Jul 022002

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #105

Jun 192002

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles
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.

- Salisbury, MD, USA

problem #104

Mar 292002

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles
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.

- Salisbury, MD, USA

problem #103

Jan 032002

Stratus

  • miles
Head gasket failed.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #102

Jan 012002

Stratus

  • miles
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.

- Apache Junction, AZ, USA

problem #101

Dec 012001

Stratus

  • miles
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.

- Gallitolis, OH, USA

problem #100

Jan 052002

Stratus

  • miles
Head gasket blew at 70,000 miles. Cost $750 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?

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #99

Nov 252001

Stratus

  • miles
I had to fill my oil every week, my oil stick wasnt even reading the oil, thats how bad my leak was I then took it to an independent technician and told it was a head gasket problem. I then took it to another guy and was told there was a "silent recall" on head gaskets. My timing belt broke going 70mph on I-40 in the middle of nowhere at dusk in the Tennessee/nc border. And B4 I left for the trip they told me it was ok to drive. Had to pay 300$ towing bill cause it was "ok" to drive! I will never buy another Dodge again...I understand there can be problems with any car...but when they charge us the consumer to fix there mistakes makes no sense at all.

- Salisbury, NC, USA

problem #98

Jan 112002

(reported on)

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Headgasket has oil leakage. Upon driving vehicle must use four quarts of oil to function. Also, vehicle smokes, and engine light illuminates on dash. Took vehicle to dealer. The serpentine belt was cracked.

- Damascus, MD, USA

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