1997 DODGE STRATUS Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

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

Mileage: 81,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLS. AFTER STALLING, THE VEHICLE RESTARTS FOLLOWING AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER AND MULTIPLE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE STALLING PROBLEM. THE REAR FREEZE PLUG WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 03/09/06. *JB

Mileage: 106,000

DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 1997 DODGE STRATUS. AT 27,000 THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE CUT OFF. WHEN THE CONSUMER HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACED THE TIMING BELT AND PULLEYS. AT 39,000 THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. WHEN IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, THEY FOUND THAT ONE COIL WAS SHORTED, THE PCM WAS BAD, THE TIMING BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE MODULE, THE RELAY, AND THE PLUG WIRE. THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. LATER AT 62,000 MILES IT WAS LEAKING OIL AND WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WERE THE TIMING BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME, THE HEAD GASKET AND PACKAGE, THE PLUG AND PLUG WIRES, AND THE SPARK PLUGS WERE ALSO REPLACED. CURRENTLY AT 89,000 THE TIMING BELT AND HEAD GASKET NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE IS OVER HEATING AND WILL NOT START. THIS CAUSED THE HEATER CORE TO GO OUT. THE CLUSTER HAS GONE OUT; THE WHOLE LIGHTING SYSTEM COMES ON AND GOES OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THESE CURRENT PROBLEMS HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF NOW. THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE INCLUDED IN A RECALL FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND FOR THE FLOOR SHIFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMOBILE SO THE CONSUMER CAN NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE RECALLS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB

Mileage: 27,133

WHILE HAVING THE HEATER CORE REPAIRED DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL INTO THE COOLING SYSTEM AND ONTO THE GROUND. THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS ISSUE. *AK

Mileage: 46,000

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE . THE FIRE WAS EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WHEEL WELL AREAS. *NM *SC

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FORE INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

WHITE SMOKE AND WATER COMING OUT OF TAILPIPE. MORE THAN LIKELY BLOWN HEAD GASKET.SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEMS FOR THESE CARS.DODGE SAYS ITS NOT ON RECALL BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE!!!!!!*AK

Mileage: 77,747

A VERY SMALL "DRIP...DRIP...DRIP" OF OIL STARTED AROUND 47K MILES. DRIP BECAME A GUSH BY 50K MILES. OIL WAS FLOWING OUT OF THE HEAD GASKET AS FAST AS I COULD PUT IT IN. (YEAH, BIG SURPRISE, HUH?!) THANKS, CHRYSLER, FOR STANDING BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT AND MAKING GOOD ON YOUR SCREW-UPS. TYPICAL AMERICAN BIG BIZ ATTITUDE! YOU CAN BET MY NEXT VEHICLE WILL BE A TOYOTA! OH GEE! I ALMOST FORGOT - YES, I'LL BE SURE TO TELL EVERYONE I KNOW TO "STEER CLEAR OF ANYTHING CHRYSLER". NO PUN INTENDED I ASSURE YOU... ESPECIALLY SINCE YOUR CRAPPY ENGINEERS JUST COST ME $1000. *AK

Mileage: 47,000

HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 31,000 MILES ON 1997 DODGE STRATUS. *AK

Mileage: 31,000

HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL INTO ENGINE. ALL NORMAL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN CONDUCTED REGULARLY. AT ONLY 80K MILES, THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING!! THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. CHRYSLER HAS OFFERED ONLY MINIMAL ASSISTANCE. THIS NEEDS TO BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL! PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH A RESPONSE.*AK

1997 DODGE STRATUS 2.4L HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THE CAR HAS 119000 MILES AND MY REPAIR TECHNICIAN SAYS THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD REALLY NOT OCCUR AT THIS POINT. THE CAR HAS LEAKED OIL SINCE ABOUT 60,000 MILES.

Mileage: 119,000

WHILE DRIVING OIL LEAKED FROM THE HEAD GASKET WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REFILL THE VEHICLE WITH OIL OFTEN. *NM

Mileage: 53,000

VEHICLE OVERHEATED. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS THE CAUSE OF THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM. OIL WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE SEALS.*AK

Mileage: 95,000

HEAD GASKET FAILED AT APPROX. 72,000 MILES. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN DODGE STRATUS AND DODGE NEON BASED ON ALL THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET. I WOULD LIKE DODGE/CHRYSLER TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM, AS I WAS TOLD THEY ARE AWARE A PROBLEM EXISTS AND HAVE SINCE CHANGE THE STYLE OF GASKET USED.*AK

Mileage: 72,000

I HAD NOTHING BUT MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MY DODGE STRATUS IT'S ONLY A 1997 WITH 86,582. I BOUGHT IT USED WITH 23,000 IN JANUARY OF 1999 FROM A CAR DEALER. I HAVE SPENT $2,335.30 IN REPAIRS IN 2002&2003 IN MAY & JUNE OF 2003 I SPENT $1,678.31 & $656.99 IN JULY 2002 STARTING WITH BRAKES BEING CONTAMIED ,WATER PUMP ,RADIATOR REPLACED,AND IT'S BEING DRIVEN LOCALLY NEVER BEEN OUT OF THIS STATE. I FEEL THIS IS A LEMON CAR BECAUSE OF THE MAJOR REPAIRS AND THE MILEAGE IS ONLY 74,153 WHEN I STARTED HAVING REPAIRS AND KEEP HAVING MAJOR REPAIRS TOTALLY $2,400 ONLY HAD IT 3 1/2 YRS. I FILED A REPORT WITH THE LEMON LAW IN WASHINGTON STATE.

Mileage: 74,153

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WAS USING AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF OIL, AND WAS LOSING PRESSURE IN THE MOTOR. A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. CONSUMER REPLACED THE MOTOR ONCE ,AND THE HEAD GASKETS ONCE. *AK

Mileage: 100,000

1997 DODGE STRATUS 2.0 SOHC MOTOR, BLOWN HEAD GASKET, BROKEN POWER STEERING PUMP, EGR VALVE STOPPED WORKING, LEAKS ALOT OF OIL OUT OF CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, HEATER CORE RUPTURED, HEATER HOSE RUPTURED ALSO, OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT STOPPED WORKING . *AK

Mileage: 50,000

1997 DODGE STRATUS 2.0 SOHC MOTOR, BLOWN HEAD GASKET, BROKEN POWER STEERING PUMP, EGR VALVE STOPPED WORKING, LEAKS ALOT OF OIL OUT OF CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, HEATER CORE RUPTURED, HEATER HOSE RUPTURED ALSO, OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT STOPPED WORKING . *AK

Mileage: 50,000

1997 DODGE STRATUS 2.0 SOHC MOTOR, BLOWN HEAD GASKET, BROKEN POWER STEERING PUMP, EGR VALVE STOPPED WORKING, LEAKS ALOT OF OIL OUT OF CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, HEATER CORE RUPTURED, HEATER HOSE RUPTURED ALSO, OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT STOPPED WORKING . *AK

Mileage: 50,000

HEAD GASKET BLEW AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ABOUT AROUND 70,000 MILES. NOW THE CAR IS OVERHEATING AGAIN AND THERE APPEARS TO BE OIL IN THE COOLANT, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAVE RESURFACED AGAIN. GIVEN THE TREMENDOUS NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS LOGGED BY CONSUMERS ON THIS WEBSITE AND OTHERS, THE COMPANY SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION. *LA

Mileage: 70,000

ENGINE EXPLODED WHILE PARKED IN SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. *AK

Mileage: 140,000

OIL LEAKS FROM HEAD GASKET IN 97 DODGE STRATUS 2.4 - SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM! WHEN WILL CHRYSLER OWN UP TO IT? PAID $700 FOR REPAIR.*AK

Mileage: 70,000

AS MY '97 DODGE STRATUS ES (2.4L) APPROACHES 58,000 MI, IT APPEARS TO BE SELF-DESTRUCTING, OF COURSE THE ENGINE IS LEAKING OIL (1 QT/WEEK) AT THE INFAMOUS HEAD GASKET, COOLING SYSTEM IS FOULED (HEATER QUIT, FLUSH+CLEAN DIDN'T SOLVE) , AND I JUST GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY TO WORK! I HAVE BEEN A CHRYSLER CUSTOMER FOR DECADES, BUT HAVING A CAR THAT RUNS FINE FOR 55K AND THEN DIES BY 60K WILL MAKE ME BUY FOREIGN HOW MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE OIL LEAKS WILL IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL? (I HOPE I ADD TO THIS COUNT) MAYBE IF I GET THE NEXT STAGE, AN ENGINE FIRE, AT LEAST THE INSURANCE MIGHT HELP PAY FOR MY TOYOTA...*JB

Mileage: 56,500

HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 58K MILES, CAUSED OIL LEAK,LIKE SO MANY OTHER 1997 DODGE STRATUS WITH FOUR CYLINDER ENGINE, 2.4L.

Mileage: 57,000

VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL AND THE OIL LIGHT CONTINUE TO STAY ON. DEALER STATES THE VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKET HAS MALFUNCTIONED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH

Mileage: 141,000

HEAD GASKET OIL LEAK LOWER CONTROL ARMS BALL JOINTS TIE RODS

HEAD GASKET REPLACED AT 65K MILES. CHRYSLER PAID FOR PART.

Mileage: 65,000

THE HEAD GASKETS ON THE CAR HAVE GONE OUT TWICE, ONCE AT 37,000 MILES AND NOW AT 65,000 MILES. NOW THE DODGE DEALER IS SAYING THAT THE TIMING BELT PULLEY HAS LOCKED UP AND HAS SHREDDED THE BELT AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS TOLD ME THAT THE PULLEYS NEVER GO OUT AT THIS LOW OF MILEAGE. HOWEVER, I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER 1997 STRATUS OWNERS. I HAVE ALSO READ THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HEAD GASKETS. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ALSO WENT OUT ON THE CAR, I WONDER IF THIS WAS DUE TO THE OIL LEAKING ON IT FROM THE BLOWN HEADS. THIS PART IS STILL UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY, BUT WHAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN AFTER 80,000 MILES? I CANNOT IMAGINE WHY DODGE HAS NOT RECALLED THESE VEHICLES WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM? MAYBE THEY ARE WAITING ON A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM THE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO THE TIMING BELT FAILURE, OR FROM FIRES CAUSED BY THE OIL DRIPPING ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS EVERY 30,000 MILES AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO TRADE THE CAR BECAUSE I OWE WHAT THE CAR RETAILS FOR. I HOPE SOMEONE WILL HELP THOSE OF US WHO WERE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BUY THIS LEMON BEFORE LOTS OF DEATHS OCCUR. IF DODGE DOESN'T WANT TO HELP US. I THINK A CLASS ACTON LAW SUIT WOULD BE VERY APPROPRIATE. DT

THE HEAD GASKETS ON THE CAR HAVE GONE OUT TWICE, ONCE AT 37,000 MILES AND NOW AT 65,000 MILES. NOW THE DODGE DEALER IS SAYING THAT THE TIMING BELT PULLEY HAS LOCKED UP AND HAS SHREDDED THE BELT AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS TOLD ME THAT THE PULLEYS NEVER GO OUT AT THIS LOW OF MILEAGE. HOWEVER, I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER 1997 STRATUS OWNERS. I HAVE ALSO READ THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HEAD GASKETS. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ALSO WENT OUT ON THE CAR, I WONDER IF THIS WAS DUE TO THE OIL LEAKING ON IT FROM THE BLOWN HEADS. THIS PART IS STILL UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY, BUT WHAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN AFTER 80,000 MILES? I CANNOT IMAGINE WHY DODGE HAS NOT RECALLED THESE VEHICLES WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM? MAYBE THEY ARE WAITING ON A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM THE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO THE TIMING BELT FAILURE, OR FROM FIRES CAUSED BY THE OIL DRIPPING ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS EVERY 30,000 MILES AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO TRADE THE CAR BECAUSE I OWE WHAT THE CAR RETAILS FOR. I HOPE SOMEONE WILL HELP THOSE OF US WHO WERE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BUY THIS LEMON BEFORE LOTS OF DEATHS OCCUR. IF DODGE DOESN'T WANT TO HELP US. I THINK A CLASS ACTON LAW SUIT WOULD BE VERY APPROPRIATE. DT

BLOWN HEAD GASKET MASSIVE OIL LEAK. DT

ENGINE WILL CONTINUOUSLY OVERHEAT. ALSO, OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING.. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE HAS A MASSIVE OIL LEAK AND DEVOLPING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE IS LOOSING APPROXIMATELY 1-2 QUARTS A DAY. THE VEHICLE IS OVERHEATING WITHIN 5-10 MINUTES INTO DRIVING AND THE OIL IS BURNING OFF THE MOTOR. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THE HEAD GASKET IS FAULTY POSSIBLY DUE TO THE STYLE OR THE MATERIAL; AFFECTING THE SURROUNDING PARTS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*JB

VEHICLE WAS GOING 50MPH WHEN THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE STALLED. IMTERNITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL RESTART. THIS WAS SECOND TIME THAT VEHICLE HAS STALLED. ALSO, VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL CAUSED BY TIME BELT PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROBIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STALLED LOSING ALL POWER. TOOK VEHICLETO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED TIMING BELT AND PULLEY. TIMING BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. ALSO HAD COMPUTER REPLACED. *AK

CAR WAS LEAKING ABOUT 1/2 QUART PER WEEK; LOCAL SHOP PUT DYE IN OIL SYSTEM TO FIND LEAK AT VALVE COVER. SEVERAL OTHER STRATUS OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM; OURS COST NEARLY $200. THIS IS THE MOST SECOND-MOST FRUSTRATING CAR WE HAVE EVER OWNED (THE FIRST WAS A USED LECAR). AFTER SO MUCH SATISFACTION WITH OUR 1990 SPIRIT, WE ARE SO DISPLEASED THAT WHEN WE REPLACE THIS CAR, WE WILL NOT EVEN CONSIDER A CHRYSLER PRODUCT.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED. *AK

VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL. CONSUMER HAS TO FILL VEHICLE WITH OIL 3 TIMES A WEEK TO KEEP VEHICLE GOING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

WHILE STARTING VEHICLE IT STARTED TO SMOKE AND LOSE OIL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE OIL LEAK HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND I TOOK IT SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER AS WELL AS OTHER MECHANICS TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS JUST THE OIL PAN LEAKING AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. NOW I FIND OUT THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $600.00. THE VEHICLE ISN'T EVEN PAID FOR YET. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR THIS PAST FALL. I ALSO HAD A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHENEVER I TURNED AND AFTER SEARCHING THE WEB I FIND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BALL JOINT FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL. I DON'T REMEMBER GETTING A NOTICE ABOUT THAT AND SHOULDN'T THE DEALER HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT RECALL NOTICE WHEN I HAD MY CAR IN REPEATEDLY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY COULDN'T SEEM TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG? INSTEAD THEY REPLACED THE BEARINGS AND TIEROD ENDS. I AM GETTING REALLY FRUSTRATED WITH DAIMLER CHRYSLER OVER THIS VEHICLE. AFTER ALL THE REPORTED COMPLAINTS JUST ON THIS WEBSITE AND YOU KNOW THERE ARE MORE OUT THERE, CHRYSLER SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AND AT A MINIMUM DO A 50-50 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS. YOU CAN BET I WON'T BE BUYING ANOTHER CHYRSLER PRODUCT.*AK

HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 70,000 MILES. COST 750.00 TO REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCHING, I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND CHRYSLER KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT DOES NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET ANY COMPENSATION FROM CHRYSLER FOR THIS? *AK

I HAD TO FILL MY OIL EVERY WEEK, MY OIL STICK WASNT EVEN READING THE OIL, THATS HOW BAD MY LEAK WAS I THEN TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN AND TOLD IT WAS A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. I THEN TOOK IT TO ANOTHER GUY AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A "SILENT RECALL" ON HEAD GASKETS. MY TIMING BELT BROKE GOING 70MPH ON I-40 IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AT DUSK IN THE TENNESSEE/NC BORDER. AND B4 I LEFT FOR THE TRIP THEY TOLD ME IT WAS OK TO DRIVE. HAD TO PAY 300$ TOWING BILL CAUSE IT WAS "OK" TO DRIVE! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE AGAIN...I UNDERSTAND THERE CAN BE PROBLEMS WITH ANY CAR...BUT WHEN THEY CHARGE US THE CONSUMER TO FIX THERE MISTAKES MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL.*AK

HEADGASKET HAS OIL LEAKAGE. UPON DRIVING VEHICLE MUST USE FOUR QUARTS OF OIL TO FUNCTION. ALSO, VEHICLE SMOKES, AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON DASH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS CRACKED. *YH

HEADGASKET HAS OIL LEAKAGE. UPON DRIVING VEHICLE MUST USE FOUR QUARTS OF OIL TO FUNCTION. ALSO, VEHICLE SMOKES, AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON DASH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS CRACKED. *YH

HEADGASKET IS LEAKING. PLEASE ADD FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, HE NOTED THAT GASKET HAD A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED.*AK

HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING OIL AND ANTIFREEZE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

VEHCILE WAS LEAKING OIL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT CAR WAS ASSEMBLED WITH A PAPER THIN GASKET.*AK *YH

I HAVE A 1997 DODGE STRATUS THAT I TOOK IN FOR OVERHEATING THEY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, FLUSHED THE RADIATOR, AND REPLACED A BELT. THEN THREE DAYS LATER MY CAR WAS STILL OVERHEATING SO I BROUGHT IT IN AGAIN AND THIS TIME THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN DUE TO OIL LEAKING AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. THIS WAS NOT CHEAP TO FIX ALL OF THIS AND PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING I HAD TO PAY $650 TO GET BRAKES IN FRONT AND BACK, ROTERS, AND REPLACE THE HYDRAULICS IN THE REAR BRAKES. BOTH TIE RODS HAVE BROKE ALSO IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. SO OVERALL I HAVE HAD TO STICK A LOT OF MONEY IN TO A FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE. I DON'T EXPECT TO REPLACE THIS MUCH STUFF ON VEHICLE UNLESS IT IS 10 YEARS OR OLDER. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT CHRYSLER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD PROVIDE ANY HELP. I SEE BY THE OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED THAT THE HEAD GASKET SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK

EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED AND HEADGASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING OIL

EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED AND HEADGASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING OIL

ENGINE DEVELOPED SERIOUS OIL LEAK. REFERRED TO DEALER. ADVISED THAT HEAD GASKET BLEW AND THAT CAMSHAFT OIL SEAL FAILED. ADVISED THAT ENGINE IS MAKING SOUND INDICITIVE OF INTERNAL COMPONENT FAILURE. DEALER INSISTS HEAD GASKET AND CAM SHAFT OIL SEAL AND OTHER DAMAGE UNRELATED. CURRENTLY AWAITING ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR, POSSIBLE COMPLETE ENGINE OVERHAUL.*AK

VEHICLE DEVELOPED OIL LEAK. DIAGNOSED AS HEAD GASKET LEAK. WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER REPAIR. THERE SEEMS TO BE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE YET THE MANUFACTURER APPEARS TO BE IGNORING THE PROB LEM (APPARENT DESIGN/MANUFACTURER FLAW). WHY IS CHRYSLER CORP. NOT BEING FORCED TO ADDRESS AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE? IF THEIR POSITION ON THIS ISSUE IS ONE OF WE DONT CARE,WHICH IS WHAT I HEAR BY READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEAD GAS KETS AND THEIR FAILURE TO COVER THE REPAIR, MAYBE THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BOYCOTT TH EIR PRODUCTS. I KNOW THAT I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER ONE OF THEIR PRODUCTS. QUAL ITY SEEMS TO BE A THING OF THE PAST WITH THEM. I JUST HOPE THAT ONE DAY MANAGEME NTS FAMILY MEMBERS GET STUCK SOMEWHERE IN ONE OF THEIR PRODUCTS LIKE THE I DID. MAYBE THEYLL START CARING ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT BUY THEIR PRODUCTS AND KEEP TH EM IN BUSINESS. I CAN ONLY HOPE. *AK

HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 60,000 MILES. BALL JOINT REPLACED./ REAR OIL SEAL REPLACED.*AK

HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED ONCE AT THE DEALER. THE NEXT TIME I NOTICED THE HEAD GASKET LEAKING, WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY. THEREFORE DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF A RECURRING HEAD GASKET FAILURE, THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THANK YOU FOR LETTING OUR VOICE BE HEARD!*AK

HEAD GASKETS BLEWOUT, LEAKING COOLANT ONTO ENGINE AND CRACKING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. DEALER IS INSPECTING AND WILL REPAIR VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER ADDS THAT THE REAR SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE LEAK, TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS WERE $1600 DEALER STATED COLD WEATHER PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN DAMAGE. *TT

CONSUMER INFORMED BY INDEPENDENT SERVICE AGENT THAT VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKET WAS BAD AND THAT THIS HAD BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, PRIOR TO THE FIRE THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE MOTOR THAT WAS REPAIRED, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE MALFUNCTIONING OF THE BRAKES OR AN ENGINE LEAK MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FIRE.*JB

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, PRIOR TO THE FIRE THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE MOTOR THAT WAS REPAIRED, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE MALFUNCTIONING OF THE BRAKES OR AN ENGINE LEAK MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FIRE.*JB

I HAVE HAD TWO HEAD GASKETS REPLACED IN A 6000 MILE SPAN I AM MAD. *AK

POWER STEERING WENT OUT (65 MPH ON CURVE HOSE CAME OFF, HEAD GASKET REPLACED, STEERING GEAR REPLACED, NEW RACK WAS INSTALLED, REPLACED UP-STREM OXGEN SENSOR, POWER STEERING LEAK, DEALER COULD NOT FIND LEAK.

POWER STEERING WENT OUT (65 MPH ON CURVE HOSE CAME OFF, HEAD GASKET REPLACED, STEERING GEAR REPLACED, NEW RACK WAS INSTALLED, REPLACED UP-STREM OXGEN SENSOR, POWER STEERING LEAK, DEALER COULD NOT FIND LEAK.

$800 HEAD GASKET REPAIR PLUS $300 TO REPLACE PARTS IT DAMAGED. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT OIL WAS ON GROUND THAT CAME UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 22000 MILES BEFORE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. POSSIBLE DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING OF THE BRAKES OR ENGINE LEAK MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE.

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. POSSIBLE DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING OF THE BRAKES OR ENGINE LEAK MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE.

THE HEAD GASKET FAILED TWICE RESULTING IN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION PUMP FAILURE. NLM

CONSUMER STARTED TO NOTICE OIL ON GROUND, AND OIL GAUGE WENT DOWN TO GAUGES.*AK

HEADGASKET FAILED, DODGE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE BACK FOR SAME PROBLEM TWICE. GASKETS WAS CONSISTENTLY LEAKING. DEALER CHARGED CONSUMER $500.00 FOR REPAIR.*AK

A HEAD GASKET FAILURE DUE TO A LOSS OF OIL BLOWING OUT OF THE MANIFOLD DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

HEAD GASKET - HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO (2) HEAD GASKETS DUE TO LEAKS IN THREE YEARS. FIRST ONE COST A DEDUCTIBLE OF $500 AND THE SECOND ONE WILL COST ME $250, ALTHOUGH I KNOW THAT DODGE HAS ISSUED TECH BULLETINS TO ADDRESS INSTALLATION PROBLEMS. DODGE DID THE GOOD WILL BIT IN BOTH CASES BY SUPPOSEDLY SPLITTING THE COST 50/50. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE THAT CONSUMERS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY SUCH HEFTY FEES FOR INFERIOR/FAULTY DESIGNS. BRAKES - APPARENTLY THE DESIGN OF THE CALIPERS INCLUDES A CYLINDER MADE OF SOME TYPE OF PLASTIC. THIS PLASTIC IS NOT ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE HEAT OF NORMAL BRAKING OPERATIONS AND WILL NOT CONTRACT PROPERLY WHEN COOLED DOWN. BECAUSE OF THIS THE CALIPER STICKS IN AN EXTENDED POSITION WHICH CASUSES THE DISC PAD TO STAY IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR, THUS WEARING DOWN THE PAD PREMATURELY AND CAUSING POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE ROTORS. THIS COST ME $559 THE FIRST TIME AND SINCE THEN I HAVE SIMPLY BEEN CHANGING THE PADS EARLIER THAN NECESSARY TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE ROTOR. ALTHOUGH THIS HAS NOT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, I BELIEVE IT COULD (OR HAS TO OTHERS?) CAUSE AN ACCIDENT/FATALITY ON AN EXTENDED TRIP. *AK

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE BECAUSE OF AN OIL LEAK AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FAULTY HEAD GASKET. MY REPAIR BILL TOTALS $1400 AND CHRYSLER IS SAYING THAT THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. IF IT WERE STILL UNDER 50,000 MILES THEN THEY WOULD HAVE PROVIDED 'SOME TYPE OF ASSISTANCE'. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN SOMETHING IS GOING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. IT HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW AND SURELY THERE ARE ENOUGH INCIDENTS TO SUPPORT A MANDATORY RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES.

VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR TIMING GEAR BELT PULLEY SYSTEM. CAR ENGINE WINDED REALLY LOUD. ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND LEAKING OIL, FOAMY WHIT RESIDUE FORMED AROUND INSIDE OF OIL CAP. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT MAY BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACE ALMOST 4 TIMES. *AK

MY FIRST HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED 03/26/1998. HERE IT IS THREE YEARS LATER AND IT GOES AGAIN? A CALL WAS PLACED TO CHRYSLER ON 02/28/2001, AND THEY EVEN STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS ARE BAD AND A NEW ONE SHOULD DO THE TRICK. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR A SECOND HEAD GASKET, WHEN THE VERY FIRST ONE SHOULD HAVE LASTED THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. TODAY, I AM SENDING A REGISTERED LETTER TO CHRYSLER AS WELL.*AK

DAIMLER-CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A FAULTY HEAD GASKET.*AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING OIL FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE

THE HEADGASKET BLEW OUT AND THE REPAIRMAN SAID TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A RECALL BECAUSE HE HAS SEEN AND HEARD ABOUT ALOT OF THE STRATUS' BLOWING THE HEADGASKET AS I AM LOOKING ON YOUR WEBSITE I SEE THAT HE IS CORRECT THERE ARE ALOT OF CASES OF BLOWING THE HEADGASKET. WAS THERE A RECALL IS THE DEALER GOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM?*AK

WHILE TRAVELING HEAD GASKET LEAKED OIL ON TO EXHUST RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK INDEPENDENT MECHANIC POINTED OUT THAT HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL ON TO THE EXHAUST PIPE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THAT TYPE OF ENGINE. BUT THE DEALER DID NOT BELIEVE THE STATEMENT. *YH

EVERYTHING SEEMED TO GO WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I AM JUST GLAD NOTHING MAJOR HAPPENED WHILE MYTWO-YR OLD WAS PRESENT IN THE CAR. I WAS TOLD I HAD A CRACK IN THE HEAD CYLINDER WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. THIS IS NOT A CAR I WOULD RECOMMEND ANYONE SHOULD BUY ! *AK

CHRYSLER ADMITTED TO PROBLEM BY OFFERING TO PAY PARTS BUT NO LABOR. NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

I PUT MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE EVERY 3,000 MILES. TODAY, WHEN I HAD MY OIL CHANGED, MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT I HAVE A HEAD GASKET OIL LEAK AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE VEHICLES. MY 3 YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED IN OCTOBER, BUT I AM HEARING THAT THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A 5 YEAR WARRANTY. I WOULD LIKE WARNOCK TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM, UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

COOLANT WAS GETTING INTO OIL. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT 2.4L ENGINE HAD A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE. CONSUMER CHECKED OIL AND NOTICED OIL WAS LOW. TECHNICIAN STATED HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER'S BROTHER STARTED VEHICLE UP TO DRIVE VEHICLE OVER TO CONSUMER'S HOUSE. IN PROCESS OF DRIVING, SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH. CONSUMER SMELLED THE SMOKE. BACKSEAT STARTED TO EVAPORATE. EVERYTHING THAT WAS INSIDE OFF VEHICLE WAS DEMOLISHED. *AK THE CLOGGED EXHAUST SYSTEM CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BLOW OUT. *YH

HEAD GASKET FAILURE - SEVERE OIL LEAK. *AK

HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR IT FREE OF CHARGE. *AK

'HEAD GASKET' - WE BOUGHT A NEW 1997 DODGE STRATUS IN MARCH OF 1997. AT 20,718 MILES THE HEAD GASKET FAILED BADLY. IT TOOK SEVERAL WEEKS TO GET IT FIXED (UNDER WARRANTY) WHILE THE PART WAS REDESIGNED. THE HEAD GASKET WAS FINE UNTIL 72,000 MILES - AT THAT POINT IT FAILED AGAIN. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR AN OBVIOUS DESIGN DEFECT. I KNOW THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AND THE PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED SEVERAL TIMES. 'HEADRESTS' - ON OUR 1997 DODGE STRATUS THE ADJUSTABLE HEADRESTS HAVE BROKEN - THE PADDED HEADREST BREAKS FREE FROM THE METAL POSTS HOLDING IT TO THE CHAIR. WE HAD THE PASSENGER HEADREST REPLACED - IT IS NOW BROKEN AGAIN AS WELL AS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THEY BREAK FROM THE PRESSURE OF ADJUSTING THE HEIGHT OF THE HEADREST. THIS SEEMS UNSAFE TO ME - THEY BREAK QUITE EASILY.

THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER SAID IT WAS A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM.*AK

THE HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *MJS

APPARANTLY ALL DODGE STRATUS HEAD GASKETS ARE FAILING AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I GUESS DODGE WILL SELL YOU A CHEAP CAR AND MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE BY CHARGING YOU A FORTUNE TO FIX THEIR MISTAKES. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL UNDER VEHICLE ON DRIVEWAY . CONTACTED DEALER WHO STATED THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

A FAN BELT WAS LOOSE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WAS A BAD LEAK COMING FROM CYLINDER HEAD GASKET. CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. *AK

A FAN BELT WAS LOOSE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WAS A BAD LEAK COMING FROM CYLINDER HEAD GASKET. CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. *AK

LEAKY HEAD GASKET-CHYLR "FEELS NO RESPONSIBILTY" TO ASSUME LIABILITY W/OBVIOUS DEFECT. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING OIL ONTO ENGINE. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK

ATTENTION REALLY NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO THIS PROBLEM. IT IS PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT A RE-CALL OF SOME SORT SHOULD BE INITIATED FOR THE HEAD GASKETS ON THESE VEHICLES. THERE IS SPECULATION THAT SOME SORT OF "SECRET WARRANTY" THAT COVERS UP TO 5 YEARS/100,000 MILES EXISTS. IT IS THE DUTY AND OBLIGATION OF THE NHSTA TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE KINDS OF THINGS ARE TAKEN CARE OF SO THAT CONSUMERS ARE PROTECTED AGAINST SECRETIVE WARRANTIES THAT ONLY APPEAR WHEN THE ISSUES ARE PRESSED. PLEASE HELP!!!!!. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 53,000 MILES CAUSING A LOSS OF COOLANT WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY LED TO THE ENGINE OVERHEATING. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND FILLED COOLING SYSTEM WITH COOLANT/WATER. TOOK TO NEAREST DEALER FOR REPAIR; WAITING FOR ESTIMATE OF COST AS OF 10/5/00. IDLER PULLY FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF DRIVABILITY AT 43,000 MILES. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT A PRIVATE SHOP FOR $350.00. SEEMS TOO EARLY FOR THESE COMPONANTS TO BE FAILING. *AK

HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL IN ENGINE. *SLC

HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL IN ENGINE. *SLC

I TOOK MY STRATUS TO A FRIEND MECHANIC FOR WHAT I THOUGHT TO BE A SIMPLE OIL LEAK, HE ADVISED IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET. ALSO ADVISED ME THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE NEONS AND STRATUS. SHOULD CHRYSLER PAY FOR THIS REPAIR IF IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT? I DO THINK SO.

LEAKING HEAD GASKET AND MAP SENSOR. *AK

LEAKING HEAD GASKET AND MAP SENSOR. *AK

NO SUMMARY

NO SUMMARY

HEADGASKET FAILURE AND CHRYSLER WILL NOT COMMIT TO REPAIR AND WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK OF $100

HEADGASKET FAILURE AND CHRYSLER WILL NOT COMMIT TO REPAIR AND WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK OF $100

THE HEAD GASKET BEGAN LEAKING PROFUSELY AT 31,000 MILES. MY WARRENTY IS OVER AND WANT INFORMATION ON HOW TO GAIN A REPLACEMENT FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PART IN THE STRATUS. IS ANYTHING BEING DONE? *AK

EINGINE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING. GASKET IS BEING REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

EXHAUST MANIFOLD - UPON DEALER REPLACING DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET, WAS NOTIFIED BY DEALER THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS A CRACK AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO TAKING TO DEALER ANOTHER GARAGE HAD DETERMINED THE CAUSE FOR OVERHEATING TO BE FROM A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. THEY DID NOT MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT CRACK IN EXHAUST MANIFOLD DURING THEIR INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. OWNER FEELS DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY THE DEALER UPON REMOVAL OF THE CYLINDER HEAD OR DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT CAUSED BY OVERHEATING FROM THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. DEALER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBLITY AND REFUSED TO CONTACT DODGE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE. THEY SAID IT WAS SAFE TO RE-INSTALL THE CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT EXHAUST FUMES COMING INTO THE VEHICLE AND FEEL IT IS UNSAFE. STEERING RACK - THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO BE VIRTUALLY UNDRIVEABLE. WHEN WE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WE WERE TOLD IT WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. WE THEREFORE PAID TO HAVE IT REPLACED AT A COST OF ALMOST $800. WE FEEL THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED WITH ONLY 52,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.*AK

EXHAUST MANIFOLD - UPON DEALER REPLACING DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET, WAS NOTIFIED BY DEALER THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS A CRACK AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO TAKING TO DEALER ANOTHER GARAGE HAD DETERMINED THE CAUSE FOR OVERHEATING TO BE FROM A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. THEY DID NOT MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT CRACK IN EXHAUST MANIFOLD DURING THEIR INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. OWNER FEELS DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY THE DEALER UPON REMOVAL OF THE CYLINDER HEAD OR DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT CAUSED BY OVERHEATING FROM THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. DEALER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBLITY AND REFUSED TO CONTACT DODGE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE. THEY SAID IT WAS SAFE TO RE-INSTALL THE CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT EXHAUST FUMES COMING INTO THE VEHICLE AND FEEL IT IS UNSAFE. STEERING RACK - THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO BE VIRTUALLY UNDRIVEABLE. WHEN WE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WE WERE TOLD IT WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. WE THEREFORE PAID TO HAVE IT REPLACED AT A COST OF ALMOST $800. WE FEEL THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED WITH ONLY 52,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.*AK

AT 61,000 MILES OIL STARTED LEAKING FROM ENGINE HEAD GASKET. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO USE MORE FUEL/ STALL, AND ENGINE TO BLOW OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

AT 61,000 MILES OIL STARTED LEAKING FROM ENGINE HEAD GASKET. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO USE MORE FUEL/ STALL, AND ENGINE TO BLOW OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AND SPILLED OIL. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE . THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE WILL ADD MOR INFORMATION.

THE HEAD GASKET FAILED RESULTING IN OIL LEAKAGE, THE OIL INDICATOR NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. *MJS

CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. *MJS

TIMING BELT SNAPPED AT 15000 MILES. *MJS

HEAD GASKET FAILED 3 TIMES, CONSUME BELIEVES THIS IS EXCESSIVE AND IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

MY HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WITH 84,000 MILES. CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. I OWNED IT FOR 2 YEARS. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND 2 DODGE DEALERSHIPS. THE FIRST DODGE DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FOR OVER 6 WEEKS THEY COULD NOT FIX IT AFTER THE HEADGASKET WAS REPLACED. BASICALLY THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH TIMING BELT. AFTER THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIX IT. PLUS I HAD TO PAY FOR A COMPUTER,WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE MONEY WAS NON REFUNDABLE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DODGE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH THEY HAD IT FOR ABOUT 5 WEEKS. THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM SAYING IT WAS ELECTRICAL. I HAD TO PAY OVER 450 DOLLARS FOR THAT. THE TOTAL I PAID WAS OVER 1200 DOLLARS. I THINK ITS PRETTY BAD THAT THE DEALERSHIP COULND NOT EVEN FIX IT! IT SEEMS TO RUN ALL RIGHT NOW. IVE READ HOW A LOT OF THESES DODGE MODELS I.E. 2.4 LITER ENGINES HAVE A MAJOR CORROSION PROBLEM THAT THE DODGE COMPANY FAILS TO TELL ANYBODY ABOUT OR EVEN TRY TO FIX IT. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. *AK

BLOWN HEAD GASKET, LEAKING OIL FROM THE REAR PART OF THE HEAD

THE ENGINE IS LEAKING OIL AROUND THE GASKET. APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN SET AT THE DEALER. ALSO, THE VEHICLE IS LOSING ANTI-FREEZE. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO LEAKAGE FROM THE RADIATOR. WILL HAVE AN INSPECTIONS PERFORMED AT ENGINE APPOINTMENT. *AK

HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL AT RATE OF 1 QUART PER 3,000 MILES. DAIMLERCHRYSLER CONTACTED BUT KEPT DETAILS REGARDING SCOPE OF FAILURES A SECRET. THEY OFFERED TO SPLIT REPAIR COSTS 50-50 WITH ME (MY PORTION TO EXCEED $300). CONTACTED A NUMBER OF DEALERS AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITIES, ALL OF WHICH CONFIRMED LARGE NUMBERS OF HEAD GASKET FAILURES ACROSS SEVERAL MODEL AND ENGINE LINES. AFTER SEEING THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME SUBJECT ON THIS SITE, I HAVE TO BELIEVE IT IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN EITHER GASKET DESIGN OR MATERIAL AND WARRANTS A RECALL TO REPAIR AT NO COST TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER. VEHICLE COSTS TOO MUCH ($20,000) TO ALLOW THIS TYPE OF A FAILURE TO CONTINUE. I CURRENTLY OWN 2 CHRYSLER BUILT VEHICLES, BUT WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER DAIMLERCHRYSLER PRODUCT, EVER. *AK

HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL. WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAS BEEN ALLOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART. CHRYSLER GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND ON THE PHONE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE NEW HEAD GASKET IS A NEW DESIGN MEANING THAT THE ORIGINAL IS DEFECTIVE. I REALIZE THAT I HAVE ALLOT OF MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE, BUT CONSIDERING THAT WE HAVE KEPT UP WITH THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE, THERE SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET. IF HEAD GASKET WERE TO FAIL COMPLETELY, OIL COULD GET ONTO CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND START A FIRE. *AK *ML

HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 30,000 MILES STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT GOING OUT OF WARRANTY SOON AND NOTICED PEOPLE WITH SIMULAR PROBLEMS AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO PROTECT MYSELF FROM IT HAPPENING WHEN THE WARRENTY IS UP. *AK

PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND ONGOING BODY IDLE VIBRATION

TIMING BEL/ PULLEY BEARING FAILED, CAUSING PULLEY TO BREAK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HEAD GASKET FAILURE FOR THE SECOND TIME WITHIN 17,000 MILES OF FIRST REPLACEMENT. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOT UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. *AK *ML

ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL AT 51,000 MILES. SPOKE TO MECHANIC THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE GASKET. I HAVE THE GASKET IF THE NHTSA WISHES TO INSPECT. SPOKE TO DODGE THEY SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE STRATUS BUT IT WAS NOT COVER UNDER THE WARRANTY.*AK

CONSUMER PURCHASED CAR USED AND ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AT 44,000 MILES. NOW AT 61,000 MILES IT HAS BLOWN OUT AGAIN. DEALER ISN'T GOING TO REPLACE IT, BUT MANUFACTURER WANTS THE CONSUMER TO GET THE CAR TO DEALER, AND THEY HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE TO LOOK AT IT. *AK *ML

ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL AT 43000 MILES. THIS HAS TO BE A DEFECT. *AK

CYLINDER HEAD GASKET LEAKS PREMATURELY... WILL CONTACT CHRYSLER. *AK

HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT THE ENGINE, AND BOTH SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID OUR WARRANTY IS UP AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THEY DID OFFER US TRADE IN. HOW IRONIC? UPON LOOKING AT YOUR COMPLAINTS DATABASE I CAN SEE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. WHY CAN'T SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS, I'LL NEVER, NEVER BUY ANOTHER [XXX] DODGE AGAIN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I FOUND OUT YESTERDAY MY HEAD GASKET NEEDS REPLACING AFTER DOING ALOT OF RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH ALOT OF STRATUS VEHICLES, AND NEON'S AND HOPE DODGE WILL BE FORCED TO BACK THERE PROBLEMS. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING SEVERE OIL LEAK. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE DUE TO A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *AK

OIL IS LEAKING AROUND THE SEAL, AND HEAD GASKETS. I CALLED AROUND TO GET ESTIMATES ON GETTING THE CAR FIXED, AND WAS TOLD THAT HUNDREDS OF DODGE STRATUS HAS HAD THAT SAME PROBLEM. AND IT WOULD COST BETWEEN $900.00, TO $1000.00 TO BE FIXED.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

BAD OIL LEAK FROM HEAD GASKET. $600 QUOTED PRICE. MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO BE REPLACED ($5200), AS PER DEALER SERVICE CENTER IN REDLANDS, CA. *AK

I TOOK MY CAR TO BE INSPECTED AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS OIL LEAK DUE TO A GASKET FAILURE. THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER IN THE HOPE THAT THERE WOULD BE A "SILENT RECALL" FOR THIS DESIGN FAILURE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE COST FOR THIS REPAIR WOULD BE ABOUT $1,000! WHILE LOOKING THROUGH THE DATABASE OF REPORTED FAILURES I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE HELP! *AK

VALVE COVER GASKET FAILURE CAUSED OIL TO LEAK. YH

TIMING BELT AND CASING BROKE. YH

DEC/99 I NOW HAVE ANOTHER OIL LEAK. THE REPLACEMENT WORK HAS ALSO FAILED. THE FIRST REPAIR UNDER THE WARRANTY THE WAS $2578.65. IT HAS ONLY BEEN 3000 MILES SINCE THE FIRST REPAIR. I ONLY HAVE APPROX. 6 MONTHS LEFT ON MY WARRANTY. I'M WORRIED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN & I'LL HAVE TO PAY MYSELF.

VEHICLE LEAKS OIL AND REQUIRES CONSTANT ATTENTION TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T DAMAGE ENGINE.

VEHICLE LOSING OVER A QUART OF OIL A WEEK. I NOTICED OIL LOSS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR , BUT ATTRIBUTED IT TO NORMAL BREAK IN. NOW IT LEAKS DOWN ON TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND MAY POSE A FIRE HAZARD. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES AND ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AGAIN. THEY WARP IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. *AK

ENGINE PULLEY THAT HOLDS THE TIMING BELT BROKE WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IF DRIVING. *AK

IDLE BEARING FAILED WEARING OUT TIMING BELT WITHIN 42,000 MILES. COULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK

REAR SEAT BELT. ENGINE--CYLINDER HEAD GASKET.

DODGE CHRYSLER DID NOT INFORM OWNERS OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET. THERE WAS NO RECALL NOTICE; INSTEAD THERE WAS A "SILENT RECALL" -- THAT IS, OWNERS ARE UNAWARE UNTIL THERE IS A PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED OIL BURNING WHICH WAS LEAKING FROM ENGINE HEAD GASKET, AND GETTING INTO ENGINE MANIFOLD. DEALER HAS REPAIRED ENGINE HEAD GASKET FOUR TIMES, BUT PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. ALSO, LOUD KNOCKING IN FRONT LEFT SIDE OF WHEEL DUE TO RACK PINON FAILURE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK

OIL IS LEAKING FROM ENGINE HEAD GASKET. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS PREMATURELY BLOWN, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT WHEN THE HEAD GASKET BLEW THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BURNED OUT RESULTING IN THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING AND LOCKING UP.

THE MOVING STEERING SHAFT BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IS EXPOSED. A CLAMP ON THE STEERING SHAFT CAUGHT THE FLOOR MAT AND MADE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR. I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD ALL STRATUS ARE MADE THIS WAY. THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDS A SHIELD. IF CHRYSLER DOESN'T FIX THIS, I MAY SELL THE CAR. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS, INCLUDING TIMING BELTS/IGINITION KEY/ HEAD RESTS/BODY, ELECTRIC MIRRORS,ETC.. THIS MAY BE THE LAST STRAW. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER WITH 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE AND I HAVE WORKED ON CARS SINCE GRADE SCHOOL. A DESIGN FLAW LIKE THIS BORDERS ON CRIMINAL!!! IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THIS DESIGN, I WOULD BE GLAD TO TESTIFY. IT WOULD BE AN OPEN AND SHUT CASE!!! I WOULD APPRECIATE A REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE IF POSSIBLE. *AK

HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL, CHRYSLER WILL NOT PROVIDE RELIEF. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT 70 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE DIES OUT,AND THERE IS AN OIL LEAK. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED.

IDLER PULLEY BEARING SEIZED UP AND BROKE APART AND TORE TIMING BELT.

SEVERAL OWNERS OF THE NEON AND STRATUS CARS HAVE BEEN SHOWING UP WITH HEAD GASKET FAILURES WHICH ARE NOT AN INEXPENSIVE REPAIR. BETWEEN THE OIL LEAKS, OVERHEATING AND WORRIES, I AM WONDERING WHO TO CONTACT TO SEE IF CHRYSLER FAILED TO BUILD THE MOTOR WITH THE CONSUMER IN MIND.

TIMING BELT IDLER PULLEY BROKE DAMAGING THE TIMING BELT.

ON MAY 27,1998 I CALLED THE DEALER TO HAVE MY CAR LOOKED AT BECAUSE I WAS HAVING A MAJOR OIL LEAK.WHEN THE DEALER GOT IT IN FOR SERVICE THEY NOTICED IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD-GASKET AND FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR ME.ON NOV. 11,1998 AT 38616 MILES I NOW HAVE A BAD TRANSMIISION AND I'M WONDERING IF IT IS A DEFECT,I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO OWNS A 1996 DODGE STRATUS AND SHE WAS EXPRIENCING SOME PROBLEMS WITH HER TRANSMISSION.THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO 3RD. OR 4TH. GEAR, ALL I HAVE IS 2ND. GEAR EVEN IF I WERE TO PUT IT IN 3RD. GEAR MANUALLY.

TIMING BELT TENSIONER BROKE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING PROBLEMS INCLUDING ROUGH IDLE, IDLE RPM CYCLING, SURGING, BUCKING, HIGHER THAN NORMAL RPMS ON DECELERATION, PROBLEMS PERSIST AFTER THREE VISITS TO DEALER. *ET

ENGINE CYLINDER FAILURE.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAME SLUGGISH AND LOST THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. VEHICLE CONTINUED IN MOTION . THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING, THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. WHILE DRIVING CAR 13 MILES FOR REPAIRS, 50-55 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME, ON AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING OIL TO LEAK.

DAMPNER CAME DEFECTIVE FROM FACTORY.

WHILE DRIVING THE THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VIBRATION AND ENGINE NOISE. DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP/TIMING BELT, ETC. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VIBRATION AND ENGINE NOISE. DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP/TIMING BELT, ETC. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK