1996 Dodge Stratus Suspension Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, STRUCK THE CURVE AND TRAVELED INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED HER THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED FROM THE SOCKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E056000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 116,000. UPDATED 02/28/13 *BF THE LOWER BALL JOINT AND AXLE WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

10490741

Incident

Dec 16, 2012

Mileage

116,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING FORWARD AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH, THE STEERING LOCKED TO THE RIGHT, RIGHT SIDE FELL DOWN AND PULLED CAR SEVERELY TO THE RIGHT. THERE WAS NO STEERING, NO CONTROL. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, PULLED CAR UP A CURB INTO A FIRE HYDRANT THEN ANOTHER 25 FEET INTO A POLE. CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE FRONT END PARTS ARE ALL IN TACT, ONLY THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS CRACKED WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO TURN COMPLETELY TO THE RIGHT. EVERYTHING WAS INSPECTED ON VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOT ANY OTHER EXPLANATION OR EVIDENCE PRIOR TO THE CURB THAN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE CAR LOST CONTROL CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10141244

Incident

Oct 25, 2005

WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP, I NOTICED A NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. I INSPECTED THE AREA AND FOUND THAT THE BRACKET WHICH SECURES THE TRAILING ARM LINK HAD DISINTEGRATED FROM RUST. THE TRAILING ARM LINK WAS "FLOATING" AT THE FRAME END. IT SERVES TO PROVIDE STABILITY FOR THE ENTIRE REAR SUSPENSION. I REPLACED THE BRACKETS ON BOTH SIDES (LEFT AND RIGHT) AS THE OTHER SIDE WAS ALSO NEAR FAILURE. THE REST OF THE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE ARE NEARLY RUST FREE. THE FAILED AND NEARLY FAILED PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10139292

Incident

Sep 26, 2005

Mileage

132,000 mi

DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE ON 1996 DODGE STRATUS. THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONSUMER TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CAR MADE NOISES WHEN THE BRAKE WERE APPLIED, AND IN REVERSE IT POPPED. THE CONSUMER WAS TAKING THE CAR BACK TO MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT BEEN IN CONTACT WITH CHRYSLER AS OF NOW.*AK

NHTSA ID

10136584

Incident

Sep 5, 2005

Mileage

136,778 mi

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 97 V 201 000 CONCERNING LOWER CONTROL ARM. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE RIGHT WHEEL COLLAPSED DUE TO LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10084030

Incident

Jul 21, 2004

Mileage

104,000 mi

2ND REQUEST FAX FWD EMAIL FM BEHALF OF [XXX] (TX) RE NUMEROUS DEFECTS ON A 1996 DODGE STRATUS (VIN#[XXX]). *MR THE A/C LEAKED, ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS MALFUNCTIONED, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR, HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS, AND POOR DRIVEABILITY. THERE WAS STEERING OSCILLATION WHEN DRIVEN ABOVE 50 MPH, ROUGH RIDE WHEN THERE WAS AN IRREGULAR SURFACE, ERRATIC IDLE, PERFORMANCE LOSS, OVERHEATING IN TRAFFIC AND OR THE A/C WOULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, WARM-UP SAG, HESITATION/DIE OUT, REAR GRID DEFOGGER INDICATOR LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED, INSIDE LIGHTS WORKED IMPROPERLY, ERRATIC LATE HARSH TRANSMISSION SHIFTS, FREQUENT RUMBLE OR GEAR NOISE FROM THE FRONT BETWEEN 50 AND 70 MPH, MUSTY ODOR AND DEFOGGER FAILED TO CLEAR THE GLASS. *SCC THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO IN NEED OF AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND STRUTS. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10052043

Incident

Dec 29, 2003

LTR FM JOVAN MATHEWS (TX) RE PROBLEMS WITH HIS 1996 DODGE STRATUS AND ASKING DAIMLER CHRYSLER TO INITIATE A RECALL. *MR THE A/C LEAKED, ELECTRIC CIRCUITS MALFUNCTIONED, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR, HEAD GASKET, AND POOR DRIVE ABILITY. THE CONSUMER HAD REPLACED THE TIMING BELT, HYDRAULIC TENSIONER, WATER PUMP, ALTERNATOR, ALTERNATOR BELT, ROTORS, BRAKE SHOES, REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS, PCV VALVE, DRYER, A/C COMPRESSOR, TIRES, ALL FILTERS, AND FLUIDS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD, WINDSHIELD, STRUTS, SHOCKS, STEERING WHEEL, AND A HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION/VIBRATION ABOVE 50 MPH, ROUGH RIDE ON ROAD WITH IRREGULAR SURFACE, ERRATIC IDLE, PERFORMANCE LOSS, OVERHEATED,WARM UP SAG, HESITATION, REAR GRID DEFOGGER INDICATOR MALFUNCTION, INSIDE LIGHTS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, LATE/HARSH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS, FREQUENCY RUMBLE OR GEAR NOISE FROM THE FRONT BETWEEN 50 AND 70 MPH, MUSTY ODOR, AND THE DEFROSTER FAILED TO CLEAR THE GLASS. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID

10040045

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

MY 1996 DODGE STRATUS HAS 37,000 MILES. IN FEBRUARY 2002 I TOOK IT TO SEARS FOR AN OIL CHANGE. ALSO ASKING THEM TO SEE WHERE OIL WAS LEAKING (NOTICED OIL ON CONCRETE IN GARAGE). THEY SAID VALVE COVER GASKET SO I GOT THAT FIXED FOR ABOUT $72.00 ALL ALONG THINKING THAT THERE WERE NOT THAT MANY MILES DRIVEN. AND TO BAD THE WARRANTY HAD JUST EXPIRED. I THINK IT WAS 5 YEARS OR 25,000 MILES. WITHIN THE NEXT 2 MONTHS OIL WAS LEAKING AGAIN. TOOK IT IN AND END UP PAYING $702.00 BECAUSE THE HEAD GASKET WAS BAD. THE MECHANIC SHOWED IT TO ME AND JOKINGLY SAID ISN'T IT FUNNY HOW THIS CAN BE SO CHEAP THAT IT ALMOST WAS DETERIORATED AND THE WARRANTY 5YRS IS UP. EVEN THOUGH I HAD NOT DROVE 25,000 MILES YET. WELL THE FINAL BLOW , ON OCT 10,2002 I KEPT HEARING A CLUNK WHEN I MADE LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. TOOK IT TO THE RHODEN DODGE. WE WERE TOLD THAT RIGHT & LEFT TIE ROD ENDS WERE LOOSE & SWAY BAR LINKS WORN & LOOSE(2 TIE RODS,& 2 BALL JOINTS) I ASKED THEM TO PERFORM AN ALIGNMENT AND TRANSMISSION FLUSH ,TOTALING $779.00 BECAUSE WHAT ELSE WILL BREAK. WELL IN JAN. 2003 THE BRAKES WERE ON MEDAL ANOTHER $190.00. I'M AFRAID TO TAKE IT IN TO THE GARAGE. THERE IS ONLY 37,000 MILES DRIVEN AND I AM HEARING ANOTHER NOISE WHEN I TURN LEFT AND RIGHT. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE FIXED THEY TOLD ME THEY TEST DROVE IT AND HEARD NOTHING . SOME HOW IT SEEMS THAT 5 YRS OR 25,000 MILES IS TELLING ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE SOLD IT BEFORE THAT BECAUSE I THINK THE COMPANY KNEW THINGS WOULD START HAPPENING. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP ME. PLEASE, THIS CAR IS A LEMON WITH ONLY 37,000 MILES.*JB

NHTSA ID

10008284

Incident

Feb 10, 2002

CONSUMER STATED THE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES, ALSO THE TIMING COVER WAS REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ID

564640

Incident

Nov 11, 1998

BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR THE FRONT LEFT TIE-ROD END BROKE. THE CAR IS SERVICED & MAINTAINED THROUGH DODGE. IT ONLY HAD 43,875 MILES ON IT. NO GREASE FITTINGS ON THESE TIE-ROD ENDS, SO THEY CANNOT BE SERVICED. THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS A LIFETIME PART THAT NEEDS NO SERVICING. I TOOK AN EXTENEDED WARRANTY WHICH EXPIRED 3 MONTHS PREVIOUS TO THE INCIDENT. DUE TO TIME NOT MILAGE. THIS VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT AND HAS LOW MILES FOR YEAR. DODGE SAID THEY WOULD PAY HALF THE BILL BUT I THINK THE WHOLE BILL SHOULD BE PAID (TOW, RENTAL, & RIM) COULD SOMEONE PLEASE ADVISE ME ON THIS SITUATION.

NHTSA ID

9004513

Incident

Jul 11, 2001

AS OF NOW, WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS. BOTH FRONT BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AT APPROX. 51,000 MILES; THE RIGHT REAR BEARING WAS REPLACED AT 64,200 MILES; THE LEFT REAR BEARING WAS JUST REPLACED AT APPROX. 67,800 MILES. TODAY, WE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK IN TO THE DEALER WITH WHAT WE SUSPECT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT REAR BEARING AGAIN. IT IS UNUSUAL FOR A CAR TO NEED ONE WHEEL BEARING REPLACED, NEVER MIND ALL FOUR. WE FEEL THAT THESE REPEATED PROBLEMS ARE DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THAT AS SUCH, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PARTS. ANY INFO AND/OR HELP YOU CAN GIVE US WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.*AK

NHTSA ID

750274

Incident

May 7, 2001

WHEN ON INTERSTATE(60+MPH)CAR CUTS OFF, NOT ABLE TO STEER, ALL POWER GOES OUT. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON INTERSTATE, I ALMOST HAD A CAR SLAM INTO ME, HE DIDN'T KNOW MY CAR LOST POWER& I HAD A HARD TIME GETTING OVER INTO AN EMERGENCY LANE W/ NO STEERING. THE CAR DOES NOT ALWAYS START RIGHT AWAY. ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME ON.THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS YET TO FIX PROBLEM, AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT TO CUT OFF. THEY CLAIM NO RESPONSIBILITY IF ANYTHING HAPPENS WHILE I'M DRIVING THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

744666

HAVE REPLACED BEARINGS, BALL JOINTS, HEAD GASKETS AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION ON 1996 STRATUS.*AK

NHTSA ID

741679

LOST CONTROL OF STEERING BECAUSE TIE-ROD BALLJOINT SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROL ARM, NEARLY CAUSING A CRASH, VEHICLE INSPECTED UNDER RECALL 97V-201 1/7/98, NO PROBLEM FOUND, OWNER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF RIGHT AND LEFT TIE ROD ENDS. CJ

NHTSA ID

559671

Incident

Jan 22, 2001

RECALL 97V201000/ LOWER CONTROL ARM REPAIRS WERE DONE BY A MECHANIC. DEALER INSPECTED RECALL WORK PARTS THAT WERE NOT REPLACED. PROBLEM REOCCURRED ONE YEAR LATER, RESULTING IN A NEAR ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING 4-5 MPH, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. .*AK

NHTSA ID

875557

Incident

May 15, 2000

POWER STEERING FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ID

558284

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID

731832

Incident

Sep 18, 2000

4 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THIS CAR, I STARTED HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH IT. I'VE HAD TO PAY $830 FOR A HEAD GASKET AT 82,000 MILES, $318 FOR SUSPENSION + ALIGNMENT BECAUSE MY TIERODS BUSTED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 92,000 MILES. I STILL CANNOT GET THE FUEL INJECTION PROBLEM FIXED, BECAUSE I'M OUT OF MONEY. I HAD TAKEN THIS CAR IN TWICE FOR THE STALLING, ENGINE DYING, AND SHAKING PROBLEM, AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED (STARTED 4 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR). *AK

NHTSA ID

724357

Incident

Jun 17, 2000

CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN IN LAST YEAR AT VAN ANDEL DEALERSHIP IN GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN FOR RECALL WORK. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAS HAD A KNOCK OR CREEK IN IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR TO YEAR AND A HALF. I HAD ASKED THEM ABOUT THIS WHEN THE CAR WAS BEING FIXED FOR RECALL WORK. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. YESTERDAY MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WENT TO GO TO THE STORE. THEY STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION AND PROCEEDED TO GO WHEN THE CAR KEPT GOING STRAIGHT INSTEAD OF TURNING. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF A PROBLEM UNTIL THIS HAPPENED EXCEPT FOR THE CREEKING. K AND M NORTHFIELD DODOGE OF GRAND RAPIDS CALLED ME TODAY WITH THE ESTIMATE OF THECAR. THEY TOLD ME THE CAR HAS A BROKEN TIE ROD. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH ABOUT 55000 MILES ON IT. HE SAID IT WAS NMOT UNCOMMON DUE TO THE CAB-0FORWARD DESIGN PUTS TOO MUCH STRESS ON THE TIE RODS. I AM CONCERNED SOMEONE COULD DIE IN AN ACCIDENT. SHOULD THERE BE STRONGER TIE RODS PUT IN THESE CARS. THANK YOU PLEASE E-MAIL OR CALL WITH ANY QUESTIONS. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY FAMILY AND OTHERS DRIVING THESE VEHICLES WHEN THERE IS A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING AND THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE BALL JOINT.*AK

NHTSA ID

719428

Incident

Feb 27, 2000

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH CAR STARTED JERKING, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THEN IT LOCKED UP, AND CONSUMER HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC, MECHANIC SAID CONSUMER NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA ID

856358

Incident

Jan 20, 2000

DEALER SAYS NEED U & L (ALL) BALL JOINTS + RACK AND ALL BUSHINGS REPLACED TO CURE SQUEAK $1100 !!! OR SO

NHTSA ID

710900

TRANSMISSION: AUTO WAS PARKED, BUT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. AUTO WOULD HAVE TO BE STOPPED AND RESTATRED TO PROCEDD A FEW HUNDRED FEET. CALLED FOR TOW. CYL. HEAD: AUTO LEAKED OIL, WENT TO DEALER. DEALER SAID IT WAS CYL. HEAD, BUT I NEVER SAW THE PROBLEM. TIE RODS: NOISE IN FRONT END. TIE RODS WERE READY TO FALL OFF. STILL A NOISE; MAYBE STABILIZER BARS OR BALL JOINT. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES, BUT THIS WAS MY FIRST CHRYSLER PRODUCT--- AND THE LAST! NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS, BUT DEALER DID RESPOND. *AK

NHTSA ID

708766

Incident

Jun 20, 1999

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SITTING STILL AND IN DRIVE THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. DEALER SAYS IT'S NORMAL. *AK

NHTSA ID

837092

ALSO NOTICE THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN TURNED. *AK

NHTSA ID

707693

Incident

Mar 18, 1999

VENDOR PART UNAVAILABLE FOR 2 1/2 WEEKS. CAUSES CAR TO PULL SEVERELY TO SIDE. *AK

NHTSA ID

707359

Incident

May 24, 1999