1997 DODGE STRATUS Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

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

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM BROKE AT ABOUT 13000 MILES. OLYMPIC DODGE SAYS THAT I MUST REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SPINDLES. THAT THEY ARE CRACKED. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER ON 07/10/2002. THEY HAVE ORDERED THE PARTS WHICH COST OVER $300.00. HOW CAN 2 SPINDLES FAIL AT THE SAME TIME. HOW CAN THEY FAIL WITH ONLY 13000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.*AK

LEFT CALIPER BURNED AND FROZE, DIGGING INTO THE ROTOR; RIGHT CALIPER ON THE VERGE OF DOING SO. THE CAR HAD PASSED RIGOROUS EQUIPMENT INSPECTION JUST 3 MONTHS BEFORE WITH NO WARNING OF IMPENDING EQUIPMENT FAILURE. CAR IS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY; DEALER SAID THAT ONLY THE COST OF THE CALIPERS WOULD BE COVERED. HAD CAR REPAIRED AT A LOCAL SHOP THAT GUARANTEES ITS WORK, BOTH PARTS AND LABOR.*AK

IF I AM DOING MORE THAN 40 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR DOESN'T STOP COMPLETELY WITHOUT SLIDING. *AK

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

CONSUMER STATES BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED ON THREE OCCASSIONS, AND WERE REPLACED BY DEALER.*JB

CONSUMER STATES BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED ON THREE OCCASSIONS, AND WERE REPLACED BY DEALER.*JB

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

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

CONSUMER STATES ABS IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND ROTORS ARE WARPED. *SLC

CONSUMER STATES ABS IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND ROTORS ARE WARPED. *SLC

THE BRAKES GO TO THE ROTORS WITHOUT ANY WARNING, INSPECTION COMPLETED ON THE BRAKES AND THEY WERE FINE, HOWEVER WITHIN 17 DAYS THE BRAKES WERE WORN DOWN TO THE ROTORS, SIX REPAIRS COMPLETED ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM, CONSUMER FEELS THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT COMPLETING THE WORK PROPERLY RESULTING IN RETURN VISITS AND REPAIRS. *MJS

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

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

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT IS BROKEN. PART OF THE SEAT WHERE CONSUMER'S HIP GOES UP A METAL PIECE STICKS OUT. CONSUMER FEELS FRAME MAY BREAK COMPLETELY, AND FAMILY MAY BE INJURED. *AK LEFT FRONT SEAT HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS. LEFT DOOR HINGE BROKE TOO. FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS AND ROTORS FAILED. *YH

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT IS BROKEN. PART OF THE SEAT WHERE CONSUMER'S HIP GOES UP A METAL PIECE STICKS OUT. CONSUMER FEELS FRAME MAY BREAK COMPLETELY, AND FAMILY MAY BE INJURED. *AK LEFT FRONT SEAT HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS. LEFT DOOR HINGE BROKE TOO. FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS AND ROTORS FAILED. *YH

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE ON FOUR OCCASIONS. BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR MOMENTARILY, AND RETURN AFTER PUMPING THE PEDAL A FEW TIMES. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER'S SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. *AK

WHEN I USED THE BACK BUTTON TO CORRECT AN ITEM, THE ORIGINAL COMMENTS WERE WIPED OUT. YOU HAVE TO FIX THAT. WE HAVE HAD FOUR BRAKE FAILURES ON OUR DODGE. EACH HAS BEEN EXACTLY THE SAME. THE FIRST TWO WERE ON SUCCESSIVE DAYS WHEN THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 10000 MILES ON IT. BOSCO DODGE INSPECTED THEY BRAKES THEN AND WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE. THEY DID REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER WITH A FACTORY REPLACEMENT. THIS SPRING, THEY FAILED AGAIN IN THE SAME MANNER. AGAIN, THE DODGE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. HE DID NOT REPLACE ANYTHING AT THAT TIME. TODAY THE BRAKES FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER. HOW DO THEY FAIL? EACH TIME THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE OVER NIGHT. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS MOVED THAT DAY. THREE TIMES THE BRAKES FAILED LESS THAN 100 FEET FROM THE DRIVEWAY. MY WIFE WAS STOPPING THE CAR AT THE INTERSECTION. THE FOURTH TIME WAS THREE BLOCKS AWAY. IN EACH INSTANCE THE CAR LOST ALL BRAKING POWER TO ALL WHEELS AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE BAKES AND CAR OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER EACH INSTANCE. IN MY MIND, IT SOUNDS AS IF THE ANTI-LOCKS HUNG UP IN THE OPEN POSITION. *AK

WHEN I USED THE BACK BUTTON TO CORRECT AN ITEM, THE ORIGINAL COMMENTS WERE WIPED OUT. YOU HAVE TO FIX THAT. WE HAVE HAD FOUR BRAKE FAILURES ON OUR DODGE. EACH HAS BEEN EXACTLY THE SAME. THE FIRST TWO WERE ON SUCCESSIVE DAYS WHEN THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 10000 MILES ON IT. BOSCO DODGE INSPECTED THEY BRAKES THEN AND WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE. THEY DID REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER WITH A FACTORY REPLACEMENT. THIS SPRING, THEY FAILED AGAIN IN THE SAME MANNER. AGAIN, THE DODGE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. HE DID NOT REPLACE ANYTHING AT THAT TIME. TODAY THE BRAKES FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER. HOW DO THEY FAIL? EACH TIME THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE OVER NIGHT. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS MOVED THAT DAY. THREE TIMES THE BRAKES FAILED LESS THAN 100 FEET FROM THE DRIVEWAY. MY WIFE WAS STOPPING THE CAR AT THE INTERSECTION. THE FOURTH TIME WAS THREE BLOCKS AWAY. IN EACH INSTANCE THE CAR LOST ALL BRAKING POWER TO ALL WHEELS AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE BAKES AND CAR OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER EACH INSTANCE. IN MY MIND, IT SOUNDS AS IF THE ANTI-LOCKS HUNG UP IN THE OPEN POSITION. *AK

BALL JOINTS WENT OUT AND BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK

RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE WAS RUBBING ON SOMETHING. I HAVE BRAKE LINE TO PROVE THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG CRYL/DODGE SAID BECAUSE I HAD CAR TOWED TO MY REPAIR PLACE THERE WAS NOTHING THAY COULD OR WOULD DO FOR ME.AND THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM. I HAVE MY 5 SPEED TRANS. REBUILT AND HEADLIGHTS REPLACED BECAUSE OF WATER GETTING IN THEM. *AK

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

DURING DRIVING ON SNOW THE ABS SYSTEM CAUSED A FEEDBACK TO THE SYSTEM THAT RESULTED IN LOCKING UP,AND A PEDAL THAT REBOUNDED OUT WHEN BRAKING ON SNOW. *AK

THIS VEHICLE RAN INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE BRAKING FROM THE SPEED OF 70 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

BRAKES MAKE NOISE BECAUSE OF PAD FAILURE .YH

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE PEDAL FELT SOFT AND SPONGY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWO OTHER OCCASIONS IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. AFTER THIS HAPPENS I TRY TO DUPLICATE THE DEFECT BUT IT WON,T HAPPEN AGAIN.

UPON BEING STRUCK IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL, NEAR THE BATTERY, MY CAR BURSTED INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL ANOTHER 200 FEET DESIPITE VARIOUS METHODS OF APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. I THEN DEPLOYED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP UNTIL THE POWER CUT OFF AND THE FINALLY DIED.

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE BRAKES WERE HARD, AND THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. *AK

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

COMPLAINED OF BRAKES MAKING RATTLING NOISE...DEALER SAID THAT IT WASN'T UNSAFE BUT JUST ANNOYING

THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. WHEN TURNING AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED THERE IS A BAD GRINDING IN THE FRONT END THE BRAKES GO SOFT AND STOP WORKING THE CAR CONTINUES ROLLING AS IF I DIDN'T HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES AT ALL. IT GOES IN FOR SERVICE ON TUESDAY. I HAVE HAD IT AT 2 OTHER DEALERS FOR OTHER BRAKE PROBLEMS.

TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ENGAGE DRIVE PROPERLY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE (VERY INTERMITENT) OR FIX PROBLEM. FRONT BRAKES NOISY/GROAN ON APPLICATION (TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL BY DEALERSHIP) FRONT BREAKS ALSO SQUEEK (SIMULAR TO WEAR INDICATOR) AFTER REPLACEMENT.

CHRYSLER SAYS IT'S NORMAL FOR BRAKES TO BE REPLACED EVERY 15,000 MILES.

ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED TWICE. THE SECOND TIME ON 08-11-99 I REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN ASKED TO INVESTIGATE ALSO, BUT DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL DECIDE AGAINST THEIR OWN PRODUCT. WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP.

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SLID ABOUT 130 FEET AS IF ON WET GROUND. VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. CONSUMER NOW WAITING FOR DODGE TO INVESTIGATE BEFORE REPAIR. *AK.ET.

BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUCTIONED,BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *AK CONSUMER STATES AFTER BACKING UP AND THEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN DRIVE, VEHICLE WONT GO FORWARD. *SLC

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL BECOMES SOFT, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. *AK

BRAKE ROTORS WARPED, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO PULSATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL TO WIGGLE. DEALER SAID ITWAS OWNERS FAULT BECAUSE OF DIRT GETTING INTO THE ROTORS. *AK

BRAKES WOULD MAKE NOISES WHENEVER APPLIED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO FLOOR VERY EASILY. VEHICLE DID NOT STOP READILY. TOOK TO DEALER & NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE OUT OF PLACE.*AK

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES AT LOW SPEED THE PEDAL TRAVELS TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO BE PUMPED IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO STOP. *SLC

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILED PREMATURELY(LESS THAN 30,000 MILES). (QCAW)

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILED PREMATURELY(LESS THAN 30,000 MILES). (QCAW)

WHEN BRAKING, CONSUMER HEARS A SQUEAL COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES, MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *SLC

INTERMITTENTLY THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK

THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING AND PUSHING ON THE PEDAL, SPEED APPROX. 30MPH, THERE APPEARED TO BE A PULSATING ACTION,. THE BRAKES WOULD MOVE IN AND OUT UNDER FOOT, CAR DID NOT STOP, TENDED TO SLIDE INTO A STOP, A DELAYED REACTION. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING.