Complain about a product or service

Dodge Stratus

There seem to be a lot of problems with these cars, including early head gasket failure.

Teri of Sunnyvale has kept a laundry list of the problems she's had. So has Lori, and hers includes the cruise control, which is scary.

Cyndi of Owasso OK (7/12/04):
I went into our local cable TV office to make a payment. While waiting in line for about a minute, someone ran into the lobby stating that a car was in fire in the parking lot, which was my 1999 Dodge stratus. The fire department was called. The fireman told me this was not the first engine fire in this model car he had put our. Chrysler is claiming no fault. Deaths have even occured from these reported fires. How many fires and death have to happen before they are required to so something?

Our car was a total loss. The fire had come through the dash before the fire department arrived. Luckily no one was hurt.

William of Bayamon PR (5/4/03):
My 99 Dodge Stratus caught on fire in the engine compartment, while parked, after driving in heavy city traffic. Chrysler inspected car and denied any reponsibility. Last week, my father's 99 Dodge Neon also caught on fire, in the engine compartment, while parked, after driving in heavy city traffic. Chrysler Corp. in PR are not even returning my calls. I observed that both cars have a plastic or rubber fuel line, feeding the fuel injectors that runs over the engine, and melted away, spraying fuel over the whole area.

My wife and son escaped physical injuries in the Stratus fire, even though they were inside the car when it happened. They got out in time. Car was a total loss. On the Neon fire, my mother (78 )and I were already out, inside a store, when it started. Car is probably a total loss.

Sherry of Evansville IN (6/12/03):
On the way out of town vehicle lost all compression. The radiator lost all fluid, oil lost about three quarts, had to have it towed about 75 miles to dealer. My whole family was stuck on the side of an expressway. My Stratus too has had head gasket failure at 58,000 miles, plus the timing belt. Costing a total of $923.00. Now it is the shop again and the repair shop has had it for three days and has yet to determine what is wrong with it. When the lease is up this car is gone.

Scarlette of Brooklyn Park MN (3/4/03):
I am starting to have serious problems with my Dodge Stratus regarding the oil. My car seems to spring leaks at will and I am not at all happy with the repairs and constant worrying. I have had the A/T pan gasket replaced twice, as well as the valve-cover gasket, and now I have a very sinking feeling that the head gasket is next.

I CANNOT afford to keep putting money into a car I paid WAY TOO MUCH for in the first place. Making payments and trying to fix the car every 2000 miles is not my idea of quality products. I really loved my car when I first bought and it am very sad that it is becoming such a problem, that I cannot afford to either keep or get rid of. Thanks Chrysler for making a really crappy car!

Masoud of Fairfax VA (7/16/01):
i purchased a Stratus last year and I have never felt so sorry about having done something since. Everything that can possibly go wring on a car has gone wronge with this car (Dodge really is DIFFERENT), these people don't have anyidea what they are making. I bought the car for $5500 and so for it has cost me more than $10200. Every week I have a new problem with this car, from the steering wheel that cost me $500 to the oil leak problem and right now outside of my house there is a big black mark on the ground because I can't afford to get the leak problem fixed. It would $1500+.

I am a student and go to college. My father bought the car for me and since then I have paid for everything that has gone wrong. I work 40 hours a week in a nearby store so that I won't have to travel far from home with an unsafe car like my Stratus because one bit of rain is enough to get the car to shut down. Everytime it rains the car won't start because Dodge so-called engineers have designed a car that is vulnerable to water.

We live in the United States of America thinking that China doesn't care about human rights. What kind of rights does a Stratus driver like me have? My engine might catch on fire any minute because of the leak problem and I might die. The last time I got my steering wheel looked at for the third time I spent $200 and then I said ok this car is gone. Last week when I put the car for sale not one person called. I wish I had seen this website before I bought that Stratus.

Dale of Springfield, OH, writes:
I am a travelling salesman, and I drive 60,000 miles per year. I had owned numerous K-cars, each one of them served me well for at least a quarter million miles each. In September, 1996, I purchased a 1996 Dodge Stratus, expecting the same quality Chrysler workmanship to which I had become accustomed. Was I in for a surprise. At 45,000 miles, the head gasket went out. The dealer said that Chrysler was redesigning the head gaskets, but that none would be available for a few months. He said that he could install a head gasket that they had in stock, but it was the same design, and I would have the same problem in a few months.

I decided to wait on the new head gasket. I waited six months. When the dealer (Stapleton Chrysler in Urbana, Ohio) replaced the head gasket, they did not reassemble the engine properly. I found several bolts loose, and numerous others were missing. The alternator was not aligned properly, resulting in an additional $200 in repairs when it went out 500 miles from home.

The design of the seat was such that my wallet rubbed against the seat bracket and wore holes in all of my suit pants. Another $1000 - and I started keeping my wallet in the glove box. The fuel pump went out at 140,000 miles - and Chrysler, in their infinite wisdom, designed the car so that you must remove the back seat to remove the gas tank and the fuel pump. I was asked by one of the many tow truck drivers that I met through this car if I had problems with the power steering yet. I told him that the power steering seemed to be the only component that wasn't giving me problems. He said, "It will."

I was told by many mechanics that I met through this car that Chrysler was building "throw-away" cars. They were designed to be driven 30,000 miles then sold. With a $20,000 price tag, that related to 67 cents per mile - quite expensive, considering I paid $5000 for my 1989 Reliant, and I sold it with 253,000 miles on it. (less than 2 cents per mile) And the only extraordinary repairs I made to my Reliant was $400 for new shocks and springs from the excess weight I carry in the trunk. I wrote a 5-page letter to Chrysler outlining the numerous design flaws in the Stratus. I received a short 5-line reply thanking me for writing, because it is letters like mine that help them design better products. No offer of financial help with the over $10,000 in repairs and damaged clothing caused by their design inefficiencies.

I had owned Chrysler products for over 10 years. I now drive a Toyota. Thank you, Chrysler. By the way, in February, 2000 the Stratus stopped running, and I could not get it to run. I gave it to a Christian halfway house in Dayton that teaches ex-convicts a trade, like auto repairs. I could not, in clear conscience, sell that car to anyone.

SSgt. Joseph of Shaw AFB, SC, writes:
I purchased a brand new 97 Dodge Stratus, 2.4 liter engine, in 97. The car ran great for a little while until I reached around 44,000 miles. I noticed that my car was using more oil than normal. I kept checking it and added until I began noticing a small puddle building underneath the car. I took it to Sumter Chrysler dealership for service and I was informed by a mechanic named Bob that I had a head gasket problem. I didn't have the money to have it fixed right away and the leak was not that severe; only about a quart a month.

When I reached about 58,000 miles, I decided to get it fixed. It costs me $596.93 for a head gasket replacement. When I picked up my car the next day, I was very disturbed that two other people stationed here at SHAW AFB were also picking up their vehicles as well for the SAME PROBLEM: HEAD GASKET. That prompted me to do research and I've come accross your website and noticed that just about everyone is having the same problems. Not just in Stratus, but Noen, Avenger ... any Dodge car with the 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter engine. Even the 2.5 liter V6 is having oil problems.

The worse thing of this is four days after I drove off the shop, my engine knocked a little until if finally locked up. I was very upset. They told me I needed a new engine and the cost was starting at $4,000! I believe this is absurd! EVERYONE is having the same problem. And I mean six people alone here at SHAW AFB are having this problem. I couldn't afford to keep paying on the car AND repair it again, so I was forced to file a bankruptcy on it and a voluntary repo!

I'm currently driving a 93 Chevy lumina that's doubled the mileage against my previous waste of money DODGE STRATUS! You know what? Dodge is a great name! That's right! "Dodge" Stratus, Neon, Avenger, Intrepid with their fuel pump fires, as much as we all can.

I currently brief all new Air Force members, roughly 10 to 20 new students per week, of what I went through and warn them about Dodge cars. I don't see how all of us could be forced into keeping a junk like this without the dealership taking full responsibility for their defects! Thank you.

Roger of Window Rock, AZ, writes:
In 1995 I bought a new 95 Dodge Stratus and in 1996, I bought another Stratus -- both new and both engines were defective. Each time sometime happened to the two vehicles Ed Corley's Chrysler in Gallup, NM, gave me another one.

This third time I was given a Plymouth Neon Expresso and once again I am having problems with it. This is the third vehicle I am having certain problems with. I have tried to explain to the service department and the person(s) who sold me the vehicles, but this time they say they can't do anything for me. I have been spending so much money on each of these cars. I have always paid on time on all three vehicles and indicated that they can't do anything for me and my family.

Now I have no transportation and I want someone do something about it. First the engines on the stratus and the starter and fuel pump on the Neon. The engines and the starter and fuel pump gave out on all three vehicles. They will not assist me on taking the vehicle back or buy it back from us. We had invested too much in these vehicles.

Geoffrey of Burke, VA, writes:
I have a head gasket problem with a '96 Dodge Stratus. The dealer says Chrysler is not acknowledging this systemic failure of their design. 

I fortuitously met someone on charge of a credit union leasing program who said they had this problem with many of their Stratus vehicles, and that  they were able to force Chrysler to pay for the repairs. At this time, I am still  fighting the battle and trying to deal with a $900 repair bill.

Tom of Sedalia, MO, writes:
I have a 1996 Dodge Stratus with 55,000 miles. It has the 2400cc four-cylinder engine and it has a leaking head gasket. 

Our local dealer, Bryant Motors, has contacted Chrysler to ask for help in the repair costs. Although the car is out of warranty (36,000 miles) there is such a high incidence of this problem that the head gasket is on nationwide backorder. 

I usually buy a vehicle and drive it for ten years. This is the first Chrysler product I have owned since the seventies. It will be the last. I never had major repair costs like this at this low mileage with the import vehicles I drove for the last 20 years. 

It is indeed very distressing to see how many American vehicles need an engine rebuild around 60,000 miles.  Read on ...  

Martin of Woodbridge, VA, writes:
My Stratus has logged 50,200 miles. I was informed that the vehicle has a head gasket problem and needed to be repaired. The repair shop also informed me that this problem seems to be too common with this model of engine.

I took the vehicle to a Chrysler dealership to be repaired. They applied to Chrysler for relief and I was denied based on service history and mileage. I contacted Chrysler and they again denied my claim with a follow-up call the next day. I continued to call and they continued to stonewall me.

I contacted Mr. G, the district manager for Chrysler and he reiterated the same denial. I was later offered $161 to pay for the parts but I would have to pay for the rest of the estimated $818.40.

I repaired the vehicle and informed Mr. G that his good faith assistance of $161 was hurtful and insufficient. I took the vehicle to get it inspected at a Merchant's Tire Service Center and the service representative pointed out another car in the parking lot with the same problem.

A head gasket is not normally expected to wear at all. If such a problem does occur it usually occurs well into the life of the vehicle. If my vehicle was the only one with the problem I would be angry but I would get over it.

Now it seems to be a cover up by Chrysler who must be privy to the inherent engine problems of their cars (Stratus, Cirrus, Breeze, Neon). I own two Chrysler vehicles but I am very unhappy with the corporate help I have received from them and I will not purchase a Chrysler vehicle in the future.

It's disturbing to read of all the head gasket failures in today's supposedly high-tech cars.  As Martin says, a head gasket should never fail in a car's first 100,000 or so miles, assuming the engine is maintained properly. 

Betty of Owego, NY, had a similar experience:
I read the complaint from M.A. of Woodbridge. I also have a Dodge Stratus with the same problem. Chrysler agreed to pay 50% of the bill but I also feel the dealer (Royal Chrysler) should pay the other half because I was denied the extended warranty when I found out I didn't have it. They told me is was too late (I had about 2000 miles at the time).

With Chrysler aware of the problem there should be a recall to fix the engine defects on all these cars. It is not fair to all us consumers to be sold faulty cars when they know about the problem but just ignore it and hope it goes away. This makes me very angry to be treated in this manner.

M.J. of Grand Rapids, MI:
Own '95 Dodge Stratus, had head gasket replaced 6/97.  Still leaking oil on 7/97. Replaced camshaft position sensor seal. 7/12/99 reported oil leak again, needs new head gasket.  7/21/99 had new head gasket put in. 8/24/99 still had oil leak, put on new gasket valve cover and new seal in spark plug tube.  8/31/99 still have oil leak,  installed engine dye oil, used black light, showing no motor oil anywhere.  Oil level full.  Very possible inner axle seal leaking.  Oil is still leaking on cement where car is parked.

Griselle of Gunpowder, MD, adds:
I got my Dodge Stratus in 1996. I had to replace the timing belt at 40,000 miles. Usually at this mileage you only have to do maintenance checks in other vehicles.

I had to replace brakes like three times already because they keep messing up. Last time I took my car for a maintenance check, they replaced the brakes and gave my the sad notice that my head gasket needed to be replaced. The person working in the shop told that Chrysler vehicles have this deficiency but that it wasn't covered by the warranty.

Cindy of South Point, OH:
I have the same brake problems with a 98 Stratus. I bought it new Dec. 31 of 97. Since july 98, I've been complaining.

It took them until Dec. of 98 to find the problem. Since Dec. 98 it has had 3 sets of front brake pads, the rotors turned and resurfaced twice, then replaced. The back brakes have been adjusted. 

The driver side axle was loose and ready to come out once they listened to me on that. I have had wheel bearings put in the front twice in a three-month period. 

I went back to the dealer where I bought it, I have called Chrysler but no one seems to care. But they sure don't hesitate to harass you if you payment is 10 days late. They call every number they have 3 and 4 times a week. 

Christine of Stockton, CA, adds:
1997 Dodge Stratus, 82,000 miles, had to have head gaskets replaced.  Spent $2,000 on it.

Replacing the head gasket has put me in jeapordy of not being able to pay other bills, including my car payment.  I'm so stressed out and don't know what else to do.

Sounds familiar to Shelly of Manhattan, KS
I own a 1996 Dodge Stratus. Upon realizing the car was losing oil, I had the head gasket replaced in June of 1999. Subsequently, I find myself having the same repair done in January 2000. The original mechanic denies any liability or responsibility, citing Chrysler as the responsible party due to faulty assembly and/or defects. The total cost of repairs have exceeded $1500. Not to mention the unending stress and emotional strain.

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