10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 1,562 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Head gasket oil leak lower control arms ball joints tie rods
- Parkton, MD, USA
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.
- Powell, TN, USA
Blown head gasket massive oil leak.
- Greer, SC, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Pikesville, MD, USA
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.
- St. Louis, MO, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Stratford, NJ, USA
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. 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.
- Branson, WI, USA
Consumer states while driving vehicle caught on fire, prior to the fire there was a leak from the motor that was repaired, consumer was informed that the malfunctioning of the brakes or an engine leak may have been the cause of the engine fire.
- Mayaguez, PR, USA
Consumer states while driving vehicle caught on fire, prior to the fire there was a leak from the motor that was repaired, consumer was informed that the malfunctioning of the brakes or an engine leak may have been the cause of the engine fire.
- Mayaguez, PR, USA
Brake system failed and the engine caught on fire. Possible due to malfunctioning of the brakes or engine leak may have been the cause.
- Mayaguez, PR, USA
Consumer started to notice oil on ground, and oil gauge went down to gauges.
- Chicopee, MA, USA
Chrysler admitted to problem by offering to pay parts but no labor. No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Absecon, NJ, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Hazlet, NJ, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Fayetteville, NC, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Stockton, CA, USA
Head gasket failure - severe oil leak.
- Davenport, FL, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Hooksett, NH, USA
Attention really needs to be brought to this problem. It is pretty obvious that a re-call of some sort should be initiated for the head gaskets on these vehicles. There is speculation that some sort of "secret warranty" that covers up to 5 years/100,000 miles exists. It is the duty and obligation of the nhsta to make sure that these kinds of things are taken care of so that consumers are protected against secretive warranties that only appear when the issues are pressed. Please help!!!!!.
- Spring, TX, USA
No summary
- Elberfeld, IN, USA
- Bel Air , MD, USA