Head gasket is leaking oil due to faulty gasket.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

Head gasket is leaking again. The dealership replaced while it was still under warranty at 71000 miles, however it now is leaking again at 107000 miles. I have had so many major problems with this Stratus, such as failed brake line, air conditioning system, continual misfire on the engine when the ac is turned on and requires a downshift, failed rack and pinion system, leaking cam position sensor, failed tie rod ends, leaking oil pan, continual oil leaks after numerous attempts by dealership to stop leaks, etc.

- Mariposa, CA, USA

Head gasket leaked oil and caused major damage to car. There was suddenly a big oil puddle under vehicle which is also a safety hazard. It is a factory defect (head gasket was redesigned by Chrysler since 98) but they refuse to provide compensation for repair.

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

Vehicle was losing oil while driving. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and a dealer. Both informed consumer that vehicle have a blown head gasket. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Universality Park, IL, USA

Dealership replaced sensor inside of engine compartment. Currently, vehicle is leaking oil from underneath the hood.

- St Augustine Beach, FL, USA

A significant oil leak developed because of a failed head gasket in 10/2000. Mileage at time of failure around 42,000. Replacement gasket (Dodge replacement as per service bulletin # 09-08-99 installed by Dodge dealership mechanics) failed in 3/2002 after 21,000 miles.

- Homewood, IL, USA

Oil was leaking from head gaskets, cause unknown. Consumer is concerned that this could eventually cause a fire.

- East Canton, OH, USA

My car has been leaking oil, I am not sure how long. After calling several places to get estimates I found that every machanic was aware of the problem. I researched the internet to find out if anyone else had complained about the head gasket and found that there are a lot of complaints. My car is in the shop now and the cost to repair is more than I can affford. Also, since I do not know how long this has been leaking I feel that this is a serious environmental problem.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

Vehicle is leaking oil, leak is extremely bad. Vehicle has to be refilled with two quarts of oil every couple of days. Dealer has been contacted.

- Detroit, MI, USA

The head gaskets fail on these cars pre-maturely and oil leaks from the engine spraying oil mist onto the catalitic converter wich could in turn start the vehicle on fire. I have read hundreds of complaints on the internet and have called the daimler-Chrysler recall line and they have no intention on making this problem correct for the consumer. Estimates to repair this defective head gasket have ranged between 700 and 800 dollars. I firmly believe that these vehicles need to be recalled and repaired for free it is clearly a defect in material/workmanship that never happens to cars normally and a fire hazard from the oil mist contacting the very hot catalitic converter. Please help us.

- San Juan Pueblo, NM, USA

Even though this is a known problem Chrysler refuses to pay for the repair. After replacing the headgasket twice, they are now telling me that the oil leak is due to a possibly warped cylinder head. So far the best Chrysler has done is pay for half of the cost.

- Warren, MI, USA

I have had numerous problems with this vehicle, other than those listed, plus there is much more information to support the problems I have listed. I have experienced a heater core failure, brakes replaced already twice on the vehicle with less than 40,000 miles on the car. I have had a defective seat belt (passenger), the timing chain is a major engine repair that I just had down. Now I am still dealing with the residule prodblem with my heating/defrost since K & M replaced my water pump on 10/17/01. Overall I consider this car to be a real piece of crap and I absolutely would never buy another Stratus and in fact, I will never buy another Chrysler vehicle ever. I feel I have stung with a lemon and basically I no legal recourse which is very unfair to me, the consumer. I am still paying on this piece of crap. If nothing else, I hope to warn anybody else, please do your homework ahead of time and don't buy a Dodge Stratus. Any assistance NHTSA might offer would be greatly appreciated. I can provide any documentation and detail that you require. Thank you.

- Sparta, MI, USA

Head gaskets fail on Chrysler 2.4 liter engines lots of people with the same problem head gasket had to be redisigned see service bulletin # 090598 my oil was leaking from head gasket and blowing onto the exhaust manifold posing a fire risk dealer replaced head gasket however didnt cover the entire charges.

- Land O Lakes, FL, USA

At approximatly 49,500 miles on my 1998 Dodge Stratus I noticed an oil leak while doing an oil change. I kept a watch on this and determined that the head gasket was where the problem was. At this time I did some research on the internet and found out that there were many complaints and service bulletins on the head gasket on this model and engine size. I then contacted the dealer where the vehicle was purchased and they verified that the head gasket was the problem and that it was going to cost me $600 or more to have the problem fixed. I then did more research into this and found out that there is an excessivly high incident of the head gasket failing on this model in both the 1997 and 1998 years, and when questioning people in the surrounding area found out that nearly every person that has purchased this model and engine combination have had the same failure and most of them with around 50,000 miles. I do not feel that I should have to pay the full amount to repair something that is a known and commen manufacturer problem ( Dodge implemented a new gasket design on the 1999 model year to correct the problem). Also I think that based on the frequency of this failure there should be a full manufacturer recall, this problem also causes a safety concern of the possibility of a fire in the engine compartment due to the severity, and location of the oil leak.

- Rew, PA, USA

While driving noticed smoke coming from under hood. Stopped vehicle and lifted hood. Head gaskets was leaking oil onto engine. Had no prior warning. Took vehicle to mechanic, and had no indication what caused leakage.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

We just notice a oil leak today and took it up to repair shop and they stated that it was the head gasket and this is a common problem with Dodge/ Chrysler cars.

- Orlando, FL, USA

There have been 5 technical service bulletins issued in regard to the head gasket on this vehicle. I feel that it is a problem that Chrysler has been aware of since manufacturing it, and they should have extended the warranty to cover this part. I had not driven the car for 36 months yet but my mileage was over the 36,000 limit, I feel I should be reimbursed the $412.71 I was charged as this has been a problem with this vehicle.

- Camillus, NY, USA

Head gasket already faulty at only 71,000 miles. Should have lasted until at least 100,000

- Lincoln, CA, USA

Head gasket is leaking oil, it is only leaking a few spots here and there, but most of the oil has leaked in consumer's driveway. Consumer has contacted dealer and the dealer is not willing to do anything.

- Liverpool, NY, USA

1998 Dodge Stratus 64,000 miles with head gasket problems"???" doesn't seem right.

- Plaistow, NH, USA