9.0
really awful- Typical Repair Cost:
- $700
- Average Mileage:
- 117,750 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 2 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace ball joints (2 reports)
Took it in to get allighment and was told the ball joints are shot.
- Andrew K., Columbus, NE, US
click to see larger images
This car was given to me as a gift for use of getting to and from work. I am 23 years old, and have had the car now for 3 years. Being that it's 12-13 years old, it's somewhat understandable to have problems, however, when I was driving 35 miles down the road one morning, a loud bang and the front right lower ball joint separated from the housing. I was very angry and had the car towed and paid $1,000 out of pocket to the mechanic.
I contacted Chrysler, only to find out that my VIN number wasn't eligible for the recall repair, but all other 2001 Dodge Stratus' have a recall on front lower ball joint and control arm? They never gave me a recall and said this particular VIN isn't part of the recall. IT IS THE SAME PART! What if this happened on the highway? I could've been killed! I ended up repairing the problem and vehicle seems to be doing alright, I just hope this doesn't happen on the left hand side.
I am very disappointed at this fact. If Dodge and Chrysler sent us a recall notice for this, this could have been avoided, but we had no knowledge of this due to the fact of the VIN for this vehicle wasn't part of the recall, when the SAME model and year and engine type, Chrysler had a recall for this same problem? WTH?
- Travis P., Sterling Heights, MI, US