RoadVitals

1997 Dodge Stratus Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) 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.
8
Latest Jun 28, 2005
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.
2%
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.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. 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. 8 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 powertrain

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

Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 28, 2005

DT: DODGE STRATUS 1997. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING TRANSAXLES FLOOR SHIFTER PARK INTERLOCK. CONSUMER SAID THAT IT BROKE, CAUSING THE AXLE TO MALFUNCTION. WHEN TURN THE CAR ON CONSUMER COULD SHIFT THE SHIFTER INTO GEAR WITHOUT PUSHING THE BUTTON ON SHIFTER OR PRESSING THE BRAKES. BEFORE HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE AND PUSH BUTTON TO GO INTO GEAR. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR UNLESS CONSUMER SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURNING IT BACK ON. SOMETIMES WHEN SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL CONSUMER MESSED WITH THE SHIFTER. CONSUMER CALLED IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS, AND CONSUMER WENT BACK TO PICK UP VEHICLE AND THE DASHBOARD AND STEERING COLUMN WERE TAKEN APART AND NOT PUT BACK TOGETHER. CONSUMER SAID IT WAS LAYING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. THERE WAS NO FAN BELT ON ENGINE. CONSUMER SAID THAT DEALER CHARGED HER $87.00. *AK

NHTSA ID
10126961
Incident
Jun 28, 2005
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 9, 2005
Fire reported

VEHICLE FIRE

NHTSA ID
10120458
Incident
May 7, 2005
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 5, 2005
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE WAS USED TO TRAVEL FROM HOME TO A CINEMA; WAS PARKED, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER CINEMA SESSION ENDED THE DRIVER AND PASSANGERS WERE SURPRISED TO SEE THE FIRE DEPT TURNING OFF A FIRE THAT IGNITED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS; THE FIRE IGNITED UNDER THE MOTOR, TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE.

NHTSA ID
10119998
Incident
Aug 28, 2004
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Jun 4, 2001

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR DUE TO DIFFERENTIAL. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
889678
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 10, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
739126
Incident
Dec 10, 2000
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 7, 2000

ABOUT 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE PROBLEM WAS REALIZED, I HEARD A VERY LOUD WHIRRING SOUND. I HAD TAKEN IT TO FEENEY DODGE IN PALATINE TO HAVE THE FRONT BRAKES DONE. THEY DID THE BRAKES BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DID NOT NOTICE THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING NOISE. I TOOK IT TO GOODYEAR IN MT. PROSPECT FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THEY NOTICED IT RIGHT AWAY. THEY SAID THAT THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD AN AMOCO STATION I KNOW WELL DO THE REPAIR. WHY DID A CAR THAT IS ONLY 2 1/2 YEARS OLD NEED A WHEEL BEARING REPLACED? I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHY WASN'T THIS UNDER THE THREE YEAR WARRANTY? I CONTACTED FEENEY AND ANOTHER DEALER IN THE AREA AND GOT TOLD THAT NO, THAT IS NOT UNDER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY. THIS REPAIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAID FOR BY CHRYSLER NOT ME. THE PART HAD TO BE DEFECTIVE FOR THIS TO HAVE HAPPENED. *AK

NHTSA ID
711284
Incident
Sep 7, 1999
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 17, 1999

IE99034, BOOT DOES NOT FIT ON THE JOINTS. IF ON THE FLOOR MAT, IT WILL CAUSE JOINTS TO STICK, AND THERE WILL BE NO STEERING CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
838003
Incident
Feb 1, 1999
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 1, 1999
Fire reported

FUEL GAUGE FAILED. YH

NHTSA ID
607122
Incident
Jul 15, 1998

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Engine158Brakes45Electrical30Transmission29Airbags24Steering21Driver assistance19Suspension19Fuel system11Body & structure9Seat belts9

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .