2000 Dodge Stratus Electrical Problems

MY DODGE STRATUS STARTED BLOWING HORN WITHOUT ME TOUCHING. EVERYTIME I TURN THE WHEEL THE HORN BLOWS. THEN TWO DAYS LATER THE LIGHT CAME IN THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OFF. THEN LOCKS START GOING UP AND DOWN AND DOOR MAKE BEEP AS IF A DOOR HIS OPEN. I HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSES TO STOP HORN FROM BLOWING, CUT INSIDE LIGHTS OFF AND STOP LOCKS FROM GOING UP AND DOWN. THE CAR STILL MAKES BEEP NOISE AS IF DOOR OPEN WHOLE TIME DRIVING AND STOPS AND START BACK WHEN I HIT A BUMP. MY FRONT WHEEL MAKING A NOISE AS IF THE WHEEL IS GOING TO BREAK OFF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT IS ALSO DRINKING GAS AS IF IT IS LEAKING. I DONT SEE ANY GAS ON THE GROUND BUT I CAN SMELL FUMES OFF AND ONE AND SOMETIMES UNDER THE HOOD. IT IS LIKE I AM LOSING GAS PRESSURE BECAUSE CAR STALLS AND I AM LOSING GAS SOMEWHERE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10515764

Incident

Apr 19, 2012

Mileage

154,000 mi

HAD DODGE STRATUS 2000 ES FOR TEN YEARS. MILEAGE AT APPROXIMATELY 53,000. THIS YEAR WHEN INTERIOR HOT THE FOLLOWING DO NOT WORK: WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DASH GAUGES, SECURITY SYSTEM, DASH INDICATOR FOR TRANSMISSION GEAR, COOL AIR THROUGH AIR CONDITIONER. SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING THIS PROBLEMS HAPPENS AND AM UNABLE TO SEE WHAT GEAR CAR IS IN, WHAT SPEED, FUEL LEFT, WIPERS NOT FUNCTIONING ALL WHICH ARE SAFETY ISSUES. WHEN INTERIOR COOL, ALL FUNCTIONS RETURN. WORKED WITH A GOOD MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED FAULTY BODY CONTROL MODULE ALSO CALLED A MULTI FUNCTION MODULE. $750 DOLLARS LATER, CAR OK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10352738

Incident

Jul 1, 2010

Mileage

53,000 mi

MY 2000 DODGE STRATUS SE I HAVE HAD FOR ABOUT 5YRS NOW EXCELLENT RUNNING CAR BUT HAS STARTED MAKING ITS OWN DECISIONS WHEN IT COMES TO COLD AIR IN THE SUMMER,MILEAGE,DOOR LOCKS & SPEED. IF YOU WANT ALL GAUGES & DOOR LOCKS PLUS COLD AIR IN THE SUMMER TIME THEN YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOUR WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN AND YOU ARE PARKED IN THE SHADE. IF NOT YOU WILL DRIVE AROUND UNTIL THE SUN GOES DOWN AND THE CAR IS COOL ENOUGH FOR THE GAUGES AND AIR TO KICK BACK ON. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL MECHANICS ABOUT THIS AND NO ONE CAN COME UP WITH A SOLUTION FOR IT. I LOVE MY CAR AND I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10345140

Incident

May 1, 2010

MY 2000 DODGE STRATUS SE I HAVE HAD FOR ABOUT 5YRS NOW EXCELLENT RUNNING CAR BUT HAS STARTED MAKING ITS OWN DECISIONS WHEN IT COMES TO COLD AIR IN THE SUMMER,MILEAGE,DOOR LOCKS & SPEED. IF YOU WANT COLD AIR IN THE SUMMER TIME THEN YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOUR WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN AND YOU ARE PARKED IN THE SHADE. IF NOT YOU WILL DRIVE AROUND UNTIL THE SUN GOES DOWN AND THE CAR IS COOL ENOUGH FOR THE GAUGES AND AIR TO KICK BACK ON. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL MECHANICS ABOUT THIS AND NO ONE CAN COME UP WITH A SOLUTION FOR IT. I LOVE MY CAR AND I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10345137

Incident

May 1, 2010

2000 DODGE STRATUS CAUGHT FIRE WHILE CAR WAS PARKED. FIRE DEPT. BELIEVES THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. FIRE BEGAN ON DRIVER SIDE NEAR FUSE BOW AND DOOR PANEL AREA. FUSES DID NOT BLOW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10242382

Incident

Sep 15, 2008

Mileage

80,000 mi

THE CAR'S ENGINE WENT UP IN FLAMES THE CAR WAS PARKED, AND OFF. THE FIREFIGHTER SAID THAT IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN THE CAR'S BATTERY BOX. *TR

NHTSA ID

10234064

Incident

Jul 11, 2008

Mileage

174,000 mi

I OWNED UNTIL LAST NIGHT A 2000 DODGE STRATUS, WELL NOW I AM ANOTHER FIRE VICTIM I GUESS. CAR WAS PARKED HAD IGNITION IN THE AUX POSITION TO LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE I WAS CLEANING UP OUR STORAGE AREA. GOT INTO CAR TO START IT UP AND BOOM. FIRST HEARD A POP FOLLOWED BY IMMEDIATE ENGULFING FIRE UNDER HOOD ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHOLE THING BURNT TO THE GROUND IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES. I HAVE PICTURES IF YOU NEED THEM. THANKS TERRI *TR

NHTSA ID

10204458

Incident

Sep 28, 2007

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY NEIGHBORS THAT HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ONLY FIVE MINUTES. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO HER RESIDENCE. THE WEATHER WAS APPROXIMATELY 75-78 DEGREES AND CLOUDY. THE # OF CYLINDERS WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 144,000.

NHTSA ID

10191939

Incident

May 28, 2007

Mileage

144,000 mi

ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO MY HEATER STOPPED WORKING ONLY FROM LOW TO MEDIUM. IF IT IS PUT ON HIGH IT WORKS NO PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS ON THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING KNOBS HAVE ALL STOPPED WORKING AS WELL EXCEPT FOR THE DEFROST LIGHT. THE KNOB FOR THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL IS ALSO VERY HARD TO TURN. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS ALSO DECIDED TO WORK WHEN IT LIKES. I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE BUTTON BECAUSE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BUTTON ON THE PASSENGER WINDOW. WHY IS IT WHEN THE CAR IS COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY THEY GIVE YOU THE RUN AROUND BUT WHEN THE PROBLEM IS NOT COVER ANY MORE THEY WANT TO CHARGE A LOT OF $ TO FIX IT? *JB

NHTSA ID

10186825

Incident

Jan 10, 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 07/30/06 THE 2000 DODGE STRATUS WAS PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY INDICATION OF A FAILURE. SHE STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT ABLE TO TELL THE CONTACT WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE DUE TO THE EXTENT DAMAGE. THE CONTACT DIDN'T HAVE ANY REPORTS FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE FIRE DAMAGED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED NEXT TO HER VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAD NO INSURANCE ON HER VEHICLE, AND HAD TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE OUT OF POCKET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THE INSURANCE CLAIM FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE OWNER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 87000.*AK

NHTSA ID

10183995

Incident

Jul 30, 2006

Mileage

87,000 mi

MY DAUGHTERS DRIVE A 2000 MODEL DODGE STRATUS. ON ONE WE HAVE REPLACED THE HEATER RESISTOR SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE FAN ON LOW SPEEDS THREE TIMES. ON THE OTHER ONE WE HAVE REPLACED IT ONCE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10183578

Incident

Feb 23, 2007

AC BLOWER MOTOR WOULD ONLY WORK ON HIGH. REPLACED THE RESISTOR 4 TIMES. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT AT THE DEALERS THEY SAID MOST LIKELY THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS BAD. REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THAT SEEMS TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR NOW. *JB

NHTSA ID

10182247

Incident

Feb 1, 2006

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2002 DODGE STRATUS GOT STUCK IN MUD. CONTACTB WENT TO GET HELP WHEN SHE RETURNED APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. SHE HAD NOT HAD ANY RECENT REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10181078

Incident

Jan 7, 2007

Mileage

83,261 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMELL OF BURNT PLASTIC INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT WENT TO SCHOOL AND RETURNED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE A COUPLE HOURS LATER. THE RADIO DID NOT TURN ON AND WHITE SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE POWER MIRROR CONTROLS. A 6 INCH FLAME ERUPTED 2-3 MINS LATER. THE CONTACT POURED WATER ON THE FLAME NEAR THE POWER MIRROR CONTROLS, WHICH EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE OR POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE, AND REFUSED TO TAKE A SAFETY COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ID

10168279

Incident

Sep 1, 2006

Mileage

182,000 mi

WHEN PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE, LIGHTS FAIL AND BLOWS THE FUSE. AM USING APPROPRIATE FUSE CALLED FOR IN OWNERS MANUAL. ALSO, NOTICED TRUNK LIGHT BULB WAS BURNT AND MELTED, WHEN I PURCHASED IT. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE CAR, SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10158904

Incident

Jun 1, 2006

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR,NOTICED WHITE SMOKE I PULL OVER TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM BEHIND WHERE THE SPARK PLUGS ARE JUST TO THE RIGHT OF THE POWER STEERING CAP(WHILE LOOKING AT ENGINE WITH THE HOOD UP). SMOKE SUBSIDED CONTINUED TO DRIVE NOTICED SMOKE 2 OTHER OCASSIONS THE SAME DAY SAME AREA OF ENGINE, PULLED CAR INTO DRIVEWAY AND APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES PASSED MY 2000 DODGE STRATUS WAS IN FLAMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD. *NM

NHTSA ID

10151575

Incident

Feb 25, 2006

Mileage

149,800 mi

MY DODGE STRATUS 2000, 65,071 MILEAGE, CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD "MELTED." THE FIRE DID NOT REACH THE INSIDE COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR. THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE SPEEDY AT PUTTING OUT THE FIRE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AFTER ABOUT 10 MIN. OF DRIVING. AND A BURNING SMELL WHICH I THOUGHT WAS ENGINE OIL. I TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION PAN, THE VALVE COVER GASKET, SPARK PLUGS AND BELTS. THE CAR CONTINUED TO SMOKE AND, AS I TOLD MY HUSBAND, I THOUGHT THERE WAS LIKE SOOTY ASHES BEING DEPOSITED ON TOP OF THE HOOD. I ASSUMED IT WAS BURNING OFF THE OLD OIL THAT HAD SPILLED ON THE ENGINE. AFTER TWO DAYS OF DRIVING I CALLED THE DODGE DEALER IN THE MORNING WHEN I CONFIRMED THAT THE CAR WAS STILL LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND OIL AND STILL SMOKING. THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK ON MONDAY. I WENT HOME THAT EVENING, PICKED UP ONE CHILD FROM DAY CARE AND THEN WE BOTH WENT TO PICK UP ANOTHER CHILD FROM HER AFTER-SCHOOL PLACE. WE WALKED OUT ABOUT 12 MINUTES LATER AND HALF THE STREET WAS ENGULFED IN THICK SMOKE. I COULD SEE FIRE UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR. WE RAN BACK IN AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPT. MY INSURANCE INVESTIGATORS COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS MELTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THEY TOTALED THE CAR. THE DEALER SAID LEAKING OIL DOES NOT CAUSE FIRES. THEY BELIEVED IT WAS ELECTRICAL. *NM

NHTSA ID

10149371

Incident

Jan 6, 2006

Mileage

65,071 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE EXITING THE INTERSTATE WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALTHOUGH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REMAINED AT A NORMAL LEVEL THE SMOKE PERSISTED AND THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME. ONCE PULLED OVER THE HOOD WAS OPENED AND FLAMES SHOT OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT CLOSED THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, BUT THE CLOSED HOOD ALREADY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN, BUT DID NOT IDENTIFY A SOURCE OF IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE, BUT REPAIRED THE PARTS OF THE ENGINE THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THE FIRE. OVER A YEAR LATER, UNDER THE SAME DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE SEAM OF THE HOOD AND FENDER. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND A REPORT WAS FILED, BUT AGAIN THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE, BUT REPAIRED THE PARTS OF THE ENGINE THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THE FIRE. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE STARTED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE AT A NORMAL SPEED, AND DISTRIBUTED A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID

10147448

Incident

Apr 11, 2004

Mileage

148,000 mi

FIRE UNDER HOOD IN 2000 DODGE STRATUS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10132187

Incident

Aug 8, 2005

Mileage

66,350 mi

AFTER HAVING USED MY 2000 DODGE STRATUS, I STATIONED IT IN MY HOUSE AND AS TO THE TO 30 MINUTES I SMELLED CABLE BURNING, WHEN I LEFT HOME, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTOR WAS THROWING AWAY SMOKE AND IMMEDIATELY A FIRE ERUPTED, I CALLED 911 AND THE POLICE AND FIREMEN ATTENDED THE FIRE. WITH CHRYSLER OF PUERTO RICO AND I NOTIFY THEM OF WHAT HAPPENED BUT THEY ONLY TELL ME THAT ARE NOT HEADS, AT PRESENT I AM WORKING THAT CASE WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. MY CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10131986

Incident

Jun 1, 2005

DT: THE MAIN COMPUTER SHORTED OT AND CAUSED A FIRE. CONSUMER WAS WORKING WITH A MECHANIC AND THAT WAS WHEN THE COMPUTER SHORTED OUT. THEY WERE WORKING ON THE AIR CONDITIONER. ANOTHER MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE, AND HE KNEW AT LEAST THREE OTHER PEOPLE THAT THIS HAPPENED TO WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITION TURNED ON. CONSUMER HAVD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY BECAUSE IT WOULD SHORT OUT BECUASE CCOULD NOT GET TO THE BATTERY QUICK ENOUGH BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE CAR WAS DESIGNED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10124822

Incident

Jun 6, 2005

DT: CAR BURNED IN DRIVEWAY. WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE. THE SMOKE STOPPED AFTER THE CONSUMER GOT HOME. ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATORS CAME, AND CONSUMER'S CLAIM WAS DENIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DASH LIGHTS WERE FLICKERING AND THE POWER STEERING MADE A LOT OF NOISES PRIOR TO THE FIRE INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

10122035

Incident

May 1, 2005

Mileage

129,000 mi

VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK *BF *NM

NHTSA ID

10117602

Incident

Apr 1, 2005

Mileage

114,000 mi

THE HEAT IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING AT ONLY 32,000 MILES. *BF *NM

NHTSA ID

10111413

Incident

Feb 1, 2005

Mileage

32,000 mi

DRIVING ON I 35 GOING NORTH MILE MARKER 34 , I SMELLED SMOKE, STOPPED CARE, GOT GRANDSON OUT. OPEN HOOD, AND FLAMES SHOT FROM CAR ENGINE. A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHT WAS BEHIND ME AND STOPPED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. LATHROP FIRE STATION WAS NOTIFIED. AND THEY CAME JUST AS THE FIRE WAS OUT. I CALLED MY WIFE SALLY MEYER AND TOLD HER OF EVENTS AND MY GRAND SON AND I GOT A RIDE HOME. THE CARE WAS TOWED TO A-1 AUTO LOCATED IN CAMERON MISSOURI BY SCOTTY?S TOWING SERVICE OUT OF CAMERON M MISSOURI. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING IT. I HAVE NOTICED THERE ARE OTHER FIRES THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED FOR THIS YEAR. ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WE ARE NOW WITH OUT A CAR. IS THERE ANYONE THAT CAN HELP US WITH THE DODGE COMPANY TO REIN VERSE US FOR THIS DAMAGE?*AK

NHTSA ID

10104589

Incident

Dec 23, 2004