RoadVitals

1997 Dodge Stratus Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Aug 4, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 349 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Dodge Stratus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 4, 2018

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

NHTSA ID
11115723
Incident
Apr 9, 2018
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 22, 2013

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 ID
10536772
Incident
Apr 20, 2013
Mileage
170,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 28, 2009

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 ID
10256649
Incident
Jan 27, 2009
Mileage
150,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 10, 2007

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 ID
10199273
Incident
Aug 5, 2006
Mileage
105,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 5, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE THE ENGINE RACED, WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WAS PROPELLED BACKWARDS AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE RPM GADGE REGISTERED 8,000. I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR INTO PARK,IT HEISITATED THEN THE CAR WAS PROPELLED US FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED FOR ABOUT THIRTY FEET ON OUR DRIVEWAY, UNABLE TO STOP, HAVING THE BRAKES LOCK, THE CAR CRASHED INTO MY OTHER PARKED CAR AND THE PORCH OF MY HOUSE. FINALLY AFTER THE STRATUS PUSHED THE OTHER CAR TEN FEET TOWARDS THE ROAD ,MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO PULL THE KEYS OUT OF THE CAR. MY DAUGHTER RECEIVED A SLIGHT CONCUSSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. BY THE GRACE OF GOD THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN AT MY DAUGHTER SCHOOL FAIR TO WHICH WE WERE ON OUR WAY. CHRYLER WAS NOTIFIED CONCERNING THEIR PRODUCT DEFECT. A GENTLEMEN REPRESENTING THEM HAS INVESTIGATED, WE ARE AWAITING HIS FINDINGS. PLEASE MKE SURE TO CHECK THE THROTTLE SENSOR, YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!*AK

NHTSA ID
10025452
Incident
Jun 8, 2003
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 2, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN DRIVE IT WILL SURGE FORWARD, AND IT WILL BE HARD TO STOP. SURGING CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BURNING THE DRIVER'S ARMS AND HANDS. DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AND TREATED FOR A BROKEN NOSE. THE SURGING HAPPENDED TWICE BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. *TT

NHTSA ID
8015418
Incident
Jul 12, 2002
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 13, 2001

GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, I PUT ON MY CRUISE CONTROL, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED DOWN SO I PUSHED ON MY BRAKE, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO ELIMINATE CRUISE SONTROL IMMEDIATELY. MY CRUISE LIGHT WENT OFF BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. APPLIED BRAKE HARDER, REALIZED THERE WAS NO STOPPING, PULLED OVER TO BREAK DOWN LANE. APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE, ENDED UP WITH JUST SQEALING TIRES AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HORRIBLY. LET ME JUST NOTE THAT AT THIS TIME I ALSO HAD MY 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. THANK GOD A STATE POLICE PULLED UP BEHIND ME, AT WHICH TIME I HAD THE CAR AT 10MPH BUT WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. MY 10 YEAR OLD CHILD HAD TO JUMP FROM MY CAR TO LET THE OFFICER KNOW WHY I COULDN'T STOP. HE ENDED UP HAVING TO PULL IN FRONT OF ME AND SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT NOTHING TO FINALLY STOP MY CAR AT WHICH POINT HE GOT OUT , CAME TO MY WINDOW AND TOLD ME TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. IN THIS FORM I COULD NOT FILL OUT THE APPROPRIATE VIN, ETC. BECAUSE MY CAR WAS TOWED AND I AM WITH A FRIEND IN MASS. I WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALER AND DODGE COMPANY ON MONDAY. VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND ESPECIALLY FOR MY CHILD. MAINE STATE POLICE WAS OBVIOUSLY INVOLVED. HIS NAME WAS ROGER. *AK

NHTSA ID
753201
Incident
Oct 12, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 6, 2001

THE PROBLEM ACTUALLY STARTED IN DECEMBER OF 1997, IT HAD AROUND 50,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH WHILE IN DRIVE AND WILL STALL AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. WE HAD THE MAP & THROTTLE SENSOR REPLACED AT THAT TIME. WE HAVE HAD RECURRENT PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSORS SINCE THEN, UNTIL THIS PAST MAY WHEN WE REPLACED THEM FOR A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE STILL STALLED DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION WE FOUND THE HEAD GASKET WAS CRACKED. WE ONCE AGAIN PROCEEDED WITH THE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS. UNFORTUNATELY THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REFLECTS THERE IS A PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE DIAGNOSTIC CONTINUALLY NOTES THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SENSORS. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE STRATUS, YET DODGE IS RELUCTANT TO RECALL THE PART(S) INVOLVED. FOR EXAMPLE, THREE OTHER DODGE STRATUS/PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES WERE BROUGHT IN TO THE SAME REPAIR SHOP DURING THE SAME WEEK OUR STRATUS WAS BEING REPAIRED. WE CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING AT THE MOST IN OPPORTUNE TIMES ( IN THE MIDDLE OF LEFT HAND TURNS IN BUSY INTERSECTIONS, ETC...*AK

NHTSA ID
749953
Incident
May 10, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 15, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
746907
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Oct 4, 2000

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS BRAKE FAILURES, BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MANY TIMES. *SLC

NHTSA ID
555483
Incident
Jul 10, 1998
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 28, 2000
Crash reported

CRUISE CONTROL, WHICH WAS NOT BEING USED AT THE TIME AND WHICH WAS NOT OPERABLE [HAD NOT BEEN WORKING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT] SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAUSED THE CAR TO ACCELERATE AS IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE FLOORBOARDED. DRIVER AVOIDED OTHER TRAFFIC BUT ENDED UP IN A FIELD. CAR WAS TOTALED. INSPECTION OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD INSIDE THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO UNIT WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY. *AK

NHTSA ID
724682
Incident
Apr 18, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 25, 1999

WHILE APPROACHING A MAJOR INTERSECTION I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS AND PUSHED ON THE BRAKE, INSTEAD OF THE CAR SLOWING THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE AND THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I MAY HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS SO I COMPLETLY REMOVED MY FOOT, THE CAR CONTINUED TO SPEED UP AT A VERY FAST RATE. JUST AS THE CAR WAS ENTERING THE INTERSECTION I SLAMMED BACK ON THE BRAKES, BUT WAS ONLY ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR. IT CONTINUED TOWARD THE INTERSECTION. ONCE IN THE INTERSECTION, THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED MYSELF AND MY WIFE FROM BEING KILLED WAS THAT THE TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT ENOUGH TO GO AROUND US. AFTER APPROX 20 TO 30 SECONDS THE ENGINE WENT BACK TO NORMAL I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF THE INTERSECTION. I TOOK THE CAR RIGHT TO THE DEALER AND CHYLSLER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. MY WIFE REFUSES TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR AND I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS SAFE FOR MY FAMILY, THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND I MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY NEXT TIME. I EXPECT CHRYSLER TO GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND , PLEASE HELP. *AK

NHTSA ID
702582
Incident
Jan 23, 1999
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 7, 1998
Crash reported

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE UP AND PUTTING IT INTO REVERSE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HIT A WALL. DEALER HAS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
831847
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 25, 1998
Crash reported

WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE & A WALL. HAD FOOT ON BRAKES IN BEGINNING. WHEN FOOT CAME OFF OF BRAKES, THAT WAS WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
831363
Incident
Oct 22, 1998
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 13, 1998

WHENEVER CONSUMER IS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 50-70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE APPROACHING A DOWN HILL SLOPE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE TO 4000 RPM, BUT THE SPEED WOULD REMAIN THE SAME. CONSUMER WOULD COMMENCE TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL WITH BUTTON, WHICH FAILED TO DEACTIVATE. APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL WHICH DEACTIVATED CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
829385
Incident
Sep 23, 1998
Driver assistance
Filed May 11, 1998

VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF IN REVERSE WHEN THE SHIFTER WAS IN PARK POSITION, RUSULTING IN CRASH AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

NHTSA ID
535448
Incident
May 11, 1998
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 3, 1997

CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED, CONSUMER APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISENGAGED, THE ENGINE STATRED RACING. THE VEHICLE THEN JUMPED FORWARD, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A NEAR ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
815969
Incident
Aug 15, 1997
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 12, 1997
1 injury reported

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AFTER BEING SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
518418
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed May 6, 1997

VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL AND CAUSED ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
516933
Incident
Mar 25, 1997

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .