1997 Dodge Stratus

349 complaints on file, page 1 of 18.

1. Filed Oct 4, 2020Failure Oct 3, 202090,000 milesVA Beach, VASteeringFire

   NOTICE A SMELL FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING OPEN THE HOOD FIRE PUT THE FIRE OUT NOTICE POWER HOSE HAD LEAK IN IT I FEEL DODGE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS MALFUNCTION

   NHTSA complaint 11362702
2. Filed Aug 4, 2018Failure Apr 9, 2018Ontario, CAElectrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)

   TAKATA RECALL, HORN DON`T WORK, MILLAGE DON`T WORK ,GAS LIGHT COMES ON AND NEDDLE MOVES UP AND DOWN ALOT

   NHTSA complaint 11115723
3. Filed Aug 22, 2013Failure Apr 20, 2013170,000 milesKenna, WVVehicle speed control

   EITHER THE OIL LIGHT OR CRUISE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND CAR LOSES ALL POWER. I HAVE TO PULL OFF ROAD AND PUT CAR IN PARK TURN IT OFF AND SOMETIMES IT WILL JUST START RIGHT BACK AND SOMETIMES I HAVE TO WAIT FOR ABOUT 30 MINS FOR IT TO START BACK. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR SINCE MARCH OF 2013 AND IT HAS DONE THIS 10-12 TIMES SINCE THEN. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES CAUSE WITH NO POWER IT IS HARD TO GET CAR OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM YET. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10536772
4. Filed Dec 31, 2011Failure Dec 31, 2011153,559 milesGrand Rapids, MITires

   TIRE HAD A BULGE AT THE BEAD LINE. HAD A SLOW LEAK AND WAS OUT OF BALANCE. I RETURNED THE TIRE TO FIRESTONE. THEY SHOWED ME THAT THE TIRE WAS MISSING RUBBER AT ALONG THE TIRE BEAD AND WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. *KB

   NHTSA complaint 10441971
5. Filed Sep 8, 2011Failure Sep 6, 2011168,000 milesRockton, ILFuel system, Gasoline

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL FILLER HOSE WAS LOOSE AND WOULD NOT KEEP FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 168,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10424243
6. Filed Nov 16, 2010Failure Oct 16, 2010147,000 milesHinsdale, ILHose, Piping, And connections

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE STRATUS. THE POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE HOSE WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE 2.4 LITER ENGINE HAD A LEAK DIRECTLY ABOVE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10365923
7. Filed Jul 19, 2010Failure Jul 18, 2010171,000 milesNaugatuck, CTElectrical systemFire

   CAR WAS SITTING FRONT OF MY DAUGHTER'S HOUSE AND IT CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10343993
8. Filed Oct 18, 2009Failure Sep 28, 2009137 milesScranton, PAFuel system, Gasoline

   LOSS OF POWER AND STALLING. WHILE ON HILLS IT HAS NO POWER ON ME SHUTS OFF ON ME EVERY WEEK. SAID THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR FIXING THAT DODGE DEALER ISN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR CHARGES. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10288854
9. Filed Jan 28, 2009Failure Jan 27, 2009150,000 milesMoberly, MOVehicle speed control

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DEACTIVATE. HE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE REVVED HIGHLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10256649
10. Filed Aug 28, 2008Failure Aug 21, 2008150,000 milesSmithfield, VASeat belts

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RETRACT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM BOLTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL. HE ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE THE PARTS AT VARIOUS JUNK YARDS AND NOTICED THAT EVERY VEHICLE WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL HAD THE SAME FAILED COMPONENT. AS OF AUGUST 28, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10240043
11. Filed Jul 17, 2008Failure Oct 10, 2007Batesville, MSStructure

    THE CLEAR COAT ON THE PAINT BEGAN COMING OFF. IT STARTED ON THE ROOF AND TRUNK LID AND HAS NOW BEGUN TO SPREAD TO OTHER PARTS OF CAR. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10234708
12. Filed Jun 22, 2008Failure Jun 19, 2008670,000 milesAbilene, TXElectrical system, Steering

    POWER STEERING HOSES DEVELOPED HOLES THROUGH THE WHOLE HOSE MASSIVE FLUID LOSS NOW POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FROZE AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 67 THOUSAND MILES FOR 97 YEAR 95 % OF MILES HIGHWAY ALSO A/C COMPRESSOR AND A/C DASH SWITCH BOTH NON WORKING WITH FULLY CHARGED COMPRESSOR AND ALL RELAYS AND FUSES REPLACED. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10231968
13. Filed Nov 29, 2007Failure Oct 21, 200781,000 milesMount Pleasant, MIAir bags, EngineCrash

    TL*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 *BF

    NHTSA complaint 10210271
14. Filed Aug 24, 2007Failure May 26, 2006Mcdonough, GAFront underhoodFire

    I WAS GOING TO MY COUSINS GRADUATION AND HAD ASKED AN OFFICER ABOUT PARKING WHEN HE DIRECTED ME WHERE TO GO WHEN I TURNED I HEARD A POP AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT AND THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A TOWING YARD, AND THE NEXT DAY TOWED TO MY PROPERTY. EVERYTHING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURNED. I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10200727
15. Filed Aug 10, 2007Failure Aug 5, 2006105,000 milesHails Corners, WICruise control

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN APPEARED TO BE INVALID.

    NHTSA complaint 10199273
16. Filed Feb 22, 2007Failure Dec 10, 2006120,000 milesOAK View, CAHose, Piping, And connectionsFire

    MY DODGE STRATUS HAD AM ENGINE FIRE ON 12-10-2006 AS I WALKED AWAY FROM THE CAR AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 20-25 MILES TO MY DESTINATION . A MAN RAN UP AND ASKED ME IF THAT WAS MY CAR THAT WAS ON FIRE AS I TOOK A LOOK I IMMEDIATEALY CALLED THE FIRE DEPT AND THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH OUT ANY ONE BRING HURT. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10183221
17. Filed Nov 11, 2006Failure Apr 1, 200558,000 milesDenver, COAutomatic transmission

    HAVE CONTACTED DODGE/DAIMLER-CHRYSLER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT TRANSMISSION ON MY 1997 DODGE STRATUS GOING OUT. HESITATION ON SHIFTING INTO GEAR, SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR AND BACK IN ON TURNS, TRANS LEAKS, SLIPPING INTO GEAR SUDDENLY AND JERKING THE CAR, AND SO ON. CAR HAS ONLY 66,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND I GOT IT IN 2001 WHEN MY FATHER PASSED AWAY. IT HAD ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT THEN. A TRANS SHOULDN'T BE GOING OUT AT 50-60,000 MILES. IF DODGE HAS A BAD PRODUCT THEY SHOULD CORRECT IT THEMSELVES. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR A PROBLEM DODGE ALREADY KNOWS ABOUT AND ISN'T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT. I NEVER HAUL OR PULL ANYTHING AND I ONLY PUT 13,000 MILES ON IT IN FIVE YEARS. NOT HEAVY DRIVING. I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL AND DODGE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING OR PAY FOR REPAIR- JUST SAYING "IT'S PAST WARRANTY". I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR BUT I SHOULD HAVE A VEHICLE COMPANY THAT IS PROUD OF IT'S PRODUCT ENOUGH TO STAND BEHIND IT. I ONLY GET $867 A MONTH RETIREMENT AND I'M 60 YEARS OF AGE. DAIMLER-CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE MADE REPAIRS WHEN I FIRST CONTACTED THEM A YEAR AGO. THIS IS A DAILY PROBLEM AND GETTING WORSE. HUNDREDS OF FAILURES. I HAVE TO USE THE CAR FOR PET CARE SO JUST CONTINUE TO PUTT ALONG UNTIL IT (THE TRANS) GOES OUT COMPLETELY. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10173208
18. Filed Sep 22, 2006Failure Sep 12, 200680,000 milesHonolulu, HIAutomatic transmission

    AUTO TRANSMISSION. 1997 DODGE STRATUS 2.5L WITH AUTO STICK. TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE AND FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT ABOVE SECOND GEAR, AND GEAR SLIPS. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10168929
19. Filed Aug 21, 2006Failure Aug 1, 2006Americus, GAWiringFire

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL WIRE ACCORDING TO THE FIRE MARSHAL. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOT BEING DRIVEN. THE FIRE WAS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WAS NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING BEFORE THE FIRE.

    NHTSA complaint 10166171
20. Filed Mar 30, 2006Failure Mar 30, 2006128,000 milesConneaut, OHHinge and attachments

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CHANGING THE OIL THE HINGE FOR THE HOOD SEEMED LOOSE. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL # 97V095000 REGARDING THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10154179