2001 DODGE STRATUS Suspension Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROADWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE FRONT STRUT TOWER FRACTURED AND WENT THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE WHERE IT REMAINED AWAITING REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WENT TO C.R. MOTORS OF HUDSON (518 S MERIDIAN RD, HUDSON, MI 49247, (517)306-2561) AND REQUESTED INFORMATION ON REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 193,000.

Mileage: 193,000

FRONT LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM FAILURE. THIS RESULTED IN CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE LINES, CONTROL ARM, LOSS OF CONTROL, STEERING, TIE RODS, UPPER BALL JOINT, CV AXLE SEVERED, AND BENT FRAME. CHRYSLER TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE OF MY VIN NUMBER I WASN'T ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR, YET THE 2001 DODGE STRATUS, 2.4L SEDAN HAS BEEN RECALLED BY CHRYSLER FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, WITH LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT FAILURE. HAD I BEEN NOTIFIED OF A RECALL, THIS COULD OF BEEN AVOIDED. WHAT IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS HAPPENED? AND WHY WASN'T MY VEHICLE RECALLED???? *TR

Mileage: 150,000

AS I TRIED TO START DRIVING I HEARD A SOUND LIKE A CRACK THEN I STOP THE CAR AND WALKED AROUND IT AND HAD FOUND THAT THE RIGHT SIDE TIRE AT THE REAR END WAS BROKEN. *TR

Mileage: 248,866

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE BALL AND AXLE JOINTS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER AND STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Mileage: 119,000

I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS NOW. FIRST IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT. THEN A YEAR LATER IT WAS THE BALL JOINT ON THE DRIVER SIDE PLUS THE CONTROL ARM. THEN IT WAS THE BRAKES AND ROTORS. THEN RIGHT AFTER THAT I FIND OUT THE BALL JOINT I HAD JUST REPLACED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN! NOW MY OIL LIGHT COMES ON AT IDLE AFTER THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP. HAD THE OIL CHANGED AS ALWAYS BETWEEN 2000 AND 3000 MILES AS I SHOULD. HAD THE OIL SENDING UNIT REPLACED AND STILL HAVE A OIL LIGHT ON WITH A FULL ENGINE OF OIL. NOW MY STEERING COLUMN JUST TODAY MADE A CRACKING SOUND AS I WAS BACKING UP WITH THE WHEEL TURNING TO THE LEFT. THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WONT GO OFF. NOW MY STEERING IS STIFF. TALKED TO A MECHANIC AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

Mileage: 98,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FELL WHILE MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. HE LOOKED INSIDE OF THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AND NOTICED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND WHEEL BEARING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. HE NOTICED LIQUID COMING FROM THE WHEEL BEARING HOUSING AND TWO SMALL FRAGMENTS ON THE GROUND. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT NO MAJOR REPAIRS HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER NOR HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN REPAIRED OR THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/04/11 *BF UPDATED 12/30/11 *CN

Mileage: 100,000

DODGE STRATUS 2001: SEVERE SQUEAKING DURING SUSPENSION MOVEMENT: THE CAR WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SQUEAKING NOISES DURING MOVEMENT. THEN WHILE DRIVING MY DAUGHTERS AND THEIR FRIENDS TO THE SKATING RINK, I HEARD A LOUD POP, THEN GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT. I CHECKED TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG AND THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS BENT OUTWARD AND ALMOST DETACHED FROM THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE CLOSEST REPAIR STATION AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BALL AND JOINT, AND THAT BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BALL AND JOINTS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1000. AS A SINGLE PARENT I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT THE NATIONAL RECALL AND IF I AM ENTITLED TO REPAIR COST UNDER THE RECALL. THANK GOD WE WERE NOT INJURED AND THAT I WAS TRAVELING LESS THAN 10 MILES PER HOUR DURING THIS FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 70,070

2001 DODGE STRATUS. LOSS OF CONTROL. RESULTING IN 2 SEPARATE CRASHES. I DID SUSTAIN INJURY IN THE LAST INCIDENT. I WAS TRYING TO TURN LEFT INTO A PARKING LOT, WHEEL TURNED ONLY PARTIALLY. I COULD NOT GET IT TO MOVE THE CORRECT DIRECTION, AND I RAN INTO A TALL (15IN.) CURB. SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND A LARGE KNOT ON MY HEAD. THE 1ST INCIDENT WAS WHILE TRYING TO TURN LEFT AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO THAT WAY. I ENDED UP HITTING YET ANOTHER TALL CURB,DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. IT MAY BE WORTHY TO NOTE I HAVE REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, BUT AM STILL GETTING PERIODS OF HAVING A HARD TIME TURNING MY WHEEL. THIS OCCURS WHETHER IN MOTION OR JUST STARTING MY CAR AND TURNING THE WHEEL TO LEAVE . I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT SIDE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE WHEEL TO TURN RIGHT AS WELL. I ACTUALLY WAS GOING ABOUT 30MPH AND BARELY MADE MY TURN, ALMOST BROADSIDING A SITTING VEHICLE. WHEN I CHECKED IT, MY TIRE WAS "BENT INWARD' AT THE TOP. THE WHOLE TIRE WAS, WELL, LIKE THIS, / (BUT ACTUALLY BENT THE OTHER WAY, INWARD. MY STEERING WHEEL WORKS RANDOMLY. PLEASE ADVISE, AS THIS IS MY ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO HAVE FIXED ON IT! I'VE ALREADY DIPPED ALMOST $2000 "FIXING" IT. THANK YOU. THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS JUST THE LATEST. THE ONE WHERE I HIT MY HEAD. AS OF TODAY, MY STEERING HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

REGARDING OUR 2001 DODGE STRATUS, LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILURE. ORIGINALLY ON OCTOBER 25TH OF 2005 WE HAD THE LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM/BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY REPLACED BECAUSE OF SEVERE SQUEAKING DURING SUSPENSION MOVEMENT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY LUBRICATION FAILURE. THERE IS NO WAY TO RE-LUBE THIS JOINT ON THIS DESIGN. THE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED WITH THE ONLY AVAILABLE PART AT THE TIME FROM DODGE. FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS I HAD NOTICED THAT DURING ABRUPT BRAKING THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL STRONGLY TO THE LEFT, THEN RECOVER WHEN THE BRAKES WERE RELEASED. I HAD SCHEDULED FOR INSPECTION APPOINTMENT ON 11/10/2009. THEN ON11/2/2009 THE SAME EXACT BALL JOINT FAILURE OCCURRED TO THE LEFT SIDE WHEN MY 16 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAD READ THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 09E-056 REGARDING THE QUALIS FAILURE AND WONDERED IF IT COULD BE RELATED SOMEHOW. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

LOWER BALL JOINT, UPPER BALL JOINT NOT MADE VERY WELL. *TR

Mileage: 118,112

2001 DODGE STRATUS...NOISE IN FRONT END. TOLD IT WAS BEARINGS ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE REPLACED. ENGINE TICKING/ POSSIBLE VALVE TAP NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO DEALER BEING TOLD THAT YEAR MODEL RUNS ROUGH; AND COULD TRADE IT FOR A MORE EXPENSIVE CAR. NOW TRYING TO HAVE REAR STRUTS PUT IN AND THE ALUMINUM PLATE THAT HOLDS THEM IN IS POWDER. THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. DODGE IS THE ONLY PLACE TO ORDER THE PART AND WAS INFORMED THIS IS AN OLD CAR AND THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. *TR

2001 DODGE STRATUS...NOISE IN FRONT END. TOLD IT WAS BEARINGS ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE REPLACED. ENGINE TICKING/ POSSIBLE VALVE TAP NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO DEALER BEING TOLD THAT YEAR MODEL RUNS ROUGH; AND COULD TRADE IT FOR A MORE EXPENSIVE CAR. NOW TRYING TO HAVE REAR STRUTS PUT IN AND THE ALUMINUM PLATE THAT HOLDS THEM IN IS POWDER. THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. DODGE IS THE ONLY PLACE TO ORDER THE PART AND WAS INFORMED THIS IS AN OLD CAR AND THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. *TR

2001 DODGE STRATUS SE HAS ISSUES WITH THE REAR STRUT MOUNT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A BACK ORDER ON THE UPPER STRUT MOUNTS. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BLOWER RESISTOR STOPPED WORKING AND TWO DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE A FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER THEN STARTED TO HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE KNOCKING NOISE WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS TOO LARGE FOR THE COMPONENTS. THE THERMOSTAT BROKE INTO PIECES AND THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING GEARS. *JB

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE STRATUS WITH 80,000 MILES. ON JULY 26 I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT I USUALLY TAKE MY CAR IN TO CHANGE THE OIL AND SUCH. HE INSPECTED THE REAR AXLE OF MY DODGE STRATUS AND SAID THE UPPER STRUT JOINT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR VEHICLE. HE TOLD ME THAT THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN DO TO THE METAL PART OF THE UPPER STRUT JOINT BROKEN AND IT WOULD BE HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I ASKED HIM WHEN AND HOW MUCH THE REPAIRS WOULD BE? HE MADE A FEW CALLS TO AUTODEALERS, AUTO PARTS STORES AND APPARENTLY THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO A BACK ORDER OF UPPER STRUT JOINTS. WE TOOK MATTERS INTO OUR HANDS AND CALLED A NUMBER OF DEALERS THINKING THAT THEY WOULD HAVE AN INVENTORY OF THE PRODUCT. ALL THE CAR DEALERSHIPS SAID THAT THEY WERE IN BACK ORDER AND THAT THEY ALSO NEEDED THEM FOR CUSTOMERS AND LOANER CARS THAT THEY HAVE IN THEIR INVENTORY THAT THEY CANNOT USE DUE TO THE PART NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD TAKE MORE THAN THREE TO FOUR WEEKS FOR THE PART AND THAT WAS NOT A GUARANTEE. SOME OF THE CAR DEALERSHIPS AND REPAIR SHOPS SAID THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM AND CAN CAUSE THE REAREND OF THE VEHICLE TO BE ATTACHED ONLY BY A PART OF THE VEHICLE WHICH IS DANGEROUS. THESE PARTS ARE IN BACK ORDER WHICH MEANS THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DEFECTIVE PART AND WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THEM AVAILABLE TO YOU. I COULD NOT WAIT FOR THE PART SO I HAD SOMEONE MAKE A TEMPORARY PART FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE THAT HAS INVESTED ON A VEHICLE AND WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS THERE ARE NO PARTS TO BE FOUND. THEIR IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MATTER AND IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME ANYTIME REGARDING THIS MATTER. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

ON 7-12-08 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME AND GOT LESS THAN 1/4 MILE AWAY, GOING AROUND A CURVE AT 45MPH. SHE HEARD A NOISE POP AND THEN A RUB. SHE PROCEEDED TO THE DRIVE AND INTO THE GARAGE. SHE CAME INTO THE HOUSE, GOT ME AND I LOOKED AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHAT I FOUND WAS THE UPPER STRUT MOUNT ON THE REAR RIGHT SIDE IS ROTTED OUT BECAUSE IT WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM (WHICH REACTS WITH STEEL AND ROAD SALT). THE STRUT BROKE FREE AND RUBBED A 3/16" GROOVE INTO THE TIRE. ALSO LOOKING AT THE LEFT SIDE IT IS ALSO ROTTED OR CORRODED. I AM PRETTY UPSET ABOUT THIS FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST, IF SHE WERE TRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE 69 AT 70 MPH AND IT BROKE FREE, THE TIRE WOULD OF BEEN CUT IN HALF. PROBABLY SENDING THE CAR INTO A SPIN INTO THE DITCH, OTHER CARS, OR A GUARD RAIL. THIS WOULD OF BEEN DISASTROUS LET ALONE HAVING SOME KIDS IN THE CAR. SECOND, I CALLED THREE DEALERSHIPS IN THE FORT WAYNE AREA ON 7-14-08, ONE TOLD ME THERE ARE 1200 ON BACK ORDER. ONE SAID THERE ARE 1300 ON BACK ORDER. ONE SAID THERE ARE 9000 ON BACK ORDER. ALL OF THEM SAID THEY WOULD NOT COME IN UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST. I ORDERED 2 REAR STRUT MOUNTS ON 7-14-08 AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING AS OF 7-20-08. WHAT IS A PERSON TO DO WITHOUT A CAR FOR ONE MONTH? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

Mileage: 109,077

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT HEARD EXCESSIVE NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO RIDE ROUGHLY. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR APPROXIMATELY A WEEK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR UPPER STRUT MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL DODGE. THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR ARE ON BACK ORDER UNTIL AUGUST OF 2008 AT ALL CHRYSLER DEALERS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,200.

Mileage: 139,000

2001 STRATUS SE HEARD A GRIND AFTER GOING OVER A BUMP ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK. LOOKED UNDER CAR AND SAW DRIVER SIDE STRUT MOUNT WAS BROKEN. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD BOTH MOUNTS ARE BROKEN AND NEEDED REPAIR. THESE PARTS ARE MADE OF CHEAP ALUMINUM WHICH IS HORRIBLE MATERIAL FOR SALT CORROSION. WAS TOLD PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER 2-3 WEEKS. NOT BELIEVING HEM, I CALLED DODGE DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD BASICALLY TOLD SORRY, 1000 WERE SHIPPED 7/3 BUT THERE WAS ANOTHER 7,600 BACKORDER!!! NOW IT WILL BE END OF JULY BEFORE I GET PARTS. ALL THEY WOULD DO WAS GET ME A PRIORITY FOR IF A DEALER IN OH GETS SOME I CAN HAVE THEM. (AND A CASE NUMBER). VERY DISAPPOINTED IN DODGE MAKING A SUSPENSION PIECE THAT SEES HEAVY CORROSION CONDITIONS OUT OF ALUMINUM POT METAL AND THEN HAS A MONTH BACKORDER. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. SO I'M OUT OF MY MAIN WORK VEHICLE FOR A MONTH, BORROWING THE WIFE'S VAN. WHAT WERE WE TO DO IF MY WIFE WAS WORKING OR IF SHE NEEDED VAN TO GET KIDS TO SCHOOL. DODGE WOULDN'T EVEN WORK WITH ME FOR A LOANER. (BECAUSE I WOULDN'T HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS 2X THE COST, A WHOLE OTHER STORY).*TR

Mileage: 71,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A FAINT GRINDING SOUND THAT GRADUALLY GREW LOUDER. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED AND THE COIL WAS GRINDING INTO THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 10/03/07 *TR

Mileage: 84,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE MAKING A U-TURN AT 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE LEANED HALFWAY DOWN TO THE GROUND. DODGE HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 73,000.

Mileage: 73,000

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT A YEAR AGO PASSENGER REAR STRUT BROKE. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED THE TOP STRUT CLAMP OF THE SPRING CORRODED, CAUSING THE SPRING AND STRUT TO FALL OUT OF PLACE AND RUB AGAINST THE TIRE. HAD TO REPLACE TIRE AND STRUT. APPROXIMATELY $500.00 FOR BOTH. 6 MONTHS LATER THE DRIVER SIDE STRUT DID THE EXACTLY THE SAME THING. THE CLAMP CORRODED AND HAS FELL APART, CAUSING THE SPRING TO RUB AGAINST THEWHEEL ONCE AGAIN. THIS WAS DUE TO AN ALUMINUM ALLOY/METAL CORRODING. MANUFACTURER SHOULD KNOW THAT ALUMINUM CORRODES EXTREMLY BAD WHEN IT COME IN CONTACT WITH WEATHER.*AK

Mileage: 90,000

DROVE THE VEHICLE THE NIGHT BEFORE THERE WERE NO SIGNS, WARNINGS OF ANYTHING WRONG. WENT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THE NEXT AFTERNOON AND UPON START UP VEHICLE WAS MAKING A RATTLING, CLICKING NOISE, TURNED IT OFF IMMEDIATELY. HAD CAR TOWED, WAS TOLD OIL WAS SLUDGY , ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACE, AT A COST OF MINIMUM END OF $5700. MECHANIC STATED HE HAD TWO MORE VEHICLES OF EXACT YEAR, MAKE, MODEL AND 2.7L ENGINE ON HIS LOT WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. HE STATED FURTHER, HE WAS SORRY, BUT WOULD HAVE TO DECLINE HIS SERVICE TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE ENGINE AS HE WAS ALREADY FED UP WITH DEALING WITH MANUFACTURER WITH THE OTHER TWO VEHICLES. HE WENT ON TO STATE THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS CLAIMING OWNER FAULT, OF NOT MAINTAINING 3000 MILE OIL CHANGES, EVEN THOUGH ONE OF THE OWNERS HAD EVERY RECEIPT PROVING OTHERWISE. HERE I SIT WITHOUT A VEHICLE NOW, HAVE NO FINANCIAL MEANS TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THIS VEHICLE AS I BECAME DISABLED IN APRIL OF 2005 AND HAVE A VERY LIMITED BUDGET. I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW VEHICLE SO I DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANY MAJOR EXPENSE OR PROBLEMS AND IT WOULD LAST ME 15-20 YRS, NOT 5. I ALSO DIDN'T EXPECT TO PAY OVER $20,000 FOR A VEHICLE THAT WOULD ONLY LAST 70,000 MILES. THIS WASN'T THE ONLY ITEMS I HAD TO HAVE FIXED, IN 2003 I HAD TO HAVE THE FAN FIXED FOR THE AC/HEATING AS IT ONLY WORKED ON ONE SPEED, THANK GOODNESS IT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. WHICH I NEVER DID RECEIVE ANY RECALL LETTER OR ANY NOTIFICATION OF THIS PROBLEM. IN 2005 THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WENT OUT AND HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE GET WATER IN WHEN IT RAINS, HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO DEALER, THEY HAVE NO CLUE AS TO WHAT AND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THIS IS THE FIRST BRAND NEW VEHICLE I HAVE EVER PURCHASED AND WAS SO PROUD OF IT, TOOK METICULOUS CARE OF IT AND NOW I FEEL AND LOOK LIKE A COMPLETE FOOL, AS THE MANUFACTURER IS LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK, PLUS HAS A VEHICLE THAT RUNS! THEIR OLD SLOGAN DODGE TUFF, THE NEW IS YOUR DODGE DOESN'T RUN, THAT'S TOUGH. *JB

Mileage: 70,000

2002 HAD TO REPLACE POWER STEERING PIPE, MANUFACTURED TO LEAN ON THE INTERIOR AUTO BODY, IN WHICH ENGINE VIBRATION RUBBED HOLE IN IT. 2002 FRONT RIGHT WHEEL MAKES CONTINUOUS LOUD HIGH PITCHED WHISTLE NOISE, STILL DOES. DEALERSHIP DISCOUNTED IT AND DIDN'T KNOW WHY IT SOUNDED LIKE THAT. 2002-2006 ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING, ODOMETER GOES CRAZY UP AND DOWN 2006 CLOCK SPRING KEEPS BREAKING, NO POWER TO AIR BAG OR HORN. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE AND THERE WAS A CLICKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED A SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE IN THE FRONT UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER.

Mileage: 65,086

RIGHT REAR AXEL BROKEN, BOTH REAR BALL JOINTS BROKEN AND REAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS BROKEN ON DODGE STRATUS, 2001, WITH ONLY 26,000 MILES. FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY. BOTH REAR BALL JOINTS AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS SHOWED EXCESSIVE PLAY. *NM

Mileage: 27,047

REAR TOP MOUNTS ON BOTH THE REAR STRUTS CORRODED INTO SEVERAL PIECES. VERY POOR MANUFACTURING USING CHEAP POT METAL AS THEY WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED FROM SALT,ETC. COULDN'T FIND REPLACEMENT STRUTS IN STOCK ANYWHERE(OUT OF STOCK AND ON BACK ORDER CROSS COUNTRY) AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION. BOTH STRUTS WENT WITHIN A TWO WEEK PERIOD AND I ENDED UP GETTING TWO USED STRUTS FROM A JUNK YARD OFF OF A 2004 STRATUS WHICH HAD BEEN TOTALLED WITH 2000 MILES ON IT.

MY CAR IS A 2001 DOGDE STRATUS 4 DOOR ES. THE CAR HAS 57,000 MILES ON IT. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE I ALSO PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRENTY FROM THE DEALER. THE WAS FROM FIRST EXTENDED SERVICE CORP. GANLEY EAST INC. AT 28840 EUCLID AVE. WICKLIFFE, OHIO 44092. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THURSDAY 6-16-05, STARTING OUT ON SIDE ROADS TO THEN THE FREEWAY AND THEN TO A MAIN ROUTE TO MY WORK. AFTER GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY I HAVE ABOUT A 15 MIN RIDE. AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING LOT I HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE CAR AT THIS POINT HAD A HARD TIME MOVING. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PLACE TO SEE IF THE BROKEN (FRONT, PASSENGER SIDE) CONTROL ARM / BALL JOINT WAS COVERED AND THEY SAID YES. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHICH COSTED ME $100.00. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE CAR AND TOLD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT THE REASON THE CONTROL ARM SNAPPED WAS BECAUSE OF RUST OR CORROSION. BEING A MAJOR PART ON THE CAR AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS IF THE PART WOULD OF SNAP AS I WAS DOING 65 ON THE FREEWAY, I MIGHT NOT OF BEEN HERE TYPING THIS COMPLAINT. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS OUT OF THERE HANDS UPON PAYMENT AND BEFORE THIS THE EXTENDED WARRENTY COMPANY SAID IT WAS OUT OF THEIR HANDS AS WELL BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID THAT IT FAILED BECAUSE OF RUST. AT THE DEALER I WAS NEVER ASKED IF I WANTED THE BAD PARTS BACK OR TO SEE THEM, THEY NEVER WASHED MY VEHICLE AFTER THE SERVICE AND AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER AND DRIVING 2 MILES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND SUPPOSEDLY INSPECTED THE HUB CAP FLEW OFF THE CAR AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT ON THE WAY HOME. I WAS ABLE TO RETRIEVE THE HUB CAP AND GO BACK TO THE DEALER, WERE THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS BROKEN UP EITHER PUTTING IN ON OR TAKING IT OFF. THEY WERE SOOOO NICE TO ORDER ME ANOTHER ONE AT THEIR COST. I WAS CHARGED $680.43 FOR THE REPAIRS PLUS ANOTHER $100.00 FOR THE TOW TO ANOTHER COMPANY. AFTER RESEARCHING YOUR WEB SITE I HAVE FOUND AT LEAST 5 OTHER SIMILIAR COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR AND PARTS.

Mileage: 57,654

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED AS IF IT HAD STRUCK A POT HOLE. CONSUMER GOT OUT TO CHECK THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS NEARLY OFF. THE BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED.*AK THE MANUFACTURE OFFERS NO ASSISTANCE. REAR UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED AND 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT PERFORMED. *TT

Mileage: 29,500

LEFT REAR SHOCK WAS RATTLING AROUND WITHIN THE COIL SPRING. UPON INVESTIGATION, FOUND THAT THE UPPER SPRING/SHOCK MOUNT, WHICH IS ALUMINUM OR AN ALUMINUM ALLOY, HAD DETERIORATED SO BADLY THAT IT HAD SEPERATED INTO 5 PIECES. THIS PART LOCATES THE UPPER END OF THE REAR SPRING, AND HAD IT NOT BEEN CAUGHT, COULD HAVE ALLOWED THE SPRING TO MIGRATE INTO THE TIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS CAR HAS 70,000 HIGHWAY MILES, AND IS KEPT CLEAN, AND STORED IN A GARAGE EVERY NIGHT. I WILL BE REPLACING THE RH SIDED SHORTLY, AS IT IS SHOWING SIMILAR SIGNS OF ROT. I HAVE THE FAILED PIECE, AND HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES IF INTERESTED.*AK

LEFT REAR BALL JOINT WENT OUT WHILE DRINVING. AS A RESULT, TIRE HIT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

Mileage: 58,800

TIMING BELT FAILURE RESULTED IN ENGINE FAILURE. BEARINGS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES, REPLACED FRONT BEARINGS AND REPLACED ENGINE. *AK

Mileage: 30,000

FAILURE OF RIGHT REAR BALL JOINT IN 2001 DODGE STRATUS WITH NO WARNING SUCH AS NOISE OR VIBRATION PROCEEDING FAILURE NO PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE BALL JOINT REPLACED BY DODGE DEALERSHIP WITH AFTER MARKET PART, OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *MR

Mileage: 48,000

LEFT REAR TIRE WAS COCKED OUTWARD. DEALER INSPECTED AND SAID UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE BLOWN OUT ON BOTH SIDES. CAR WAS NEVER IN COLLISION, AND ONLY 44K MILES ON IT. ALSO, INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS USED, CLICKS AROUND CORNERS, SEATS DON'T ALWAYS STAY LOCKED IN PLACE. IT'S STILL UNDER WARRANTY!! I DON'T WANT TO PAY $600 TO FIX A PROBLEM I DID NOT CAUSE. *JB

BEFORE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WAS TILTED INWARD. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BROKE. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A BOLT WAS WELDED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

Mileage: 34,000

WHEN TURNING CORNERS A CRUNCHY NOISE WAS HEARD. *AK *SC

Mileage: 46,000

DEALER WILL REPLACE COIL SPRING. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THIS COIL IS NOT COVERED, AND WILL COST $750 TO REPLACE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, HEARD A "SCREECHING" NOISE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM VEHICLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD FAILED AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE READY TO FAIL. DEALER ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE TIE RODS WERE LOOSE. RELATED INVESTIGATION PE03-032

Mileage: 51,000

WHILE DRIVING, HEARD A "SCREECHING" NOISE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM VEHICLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD FAILED AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE READY TO FAIL. DEALER ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE TIE RODS WERE LOOSE. RELATED INVESTIGATION PE03-032

Mileage: 51,000

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. *NLM

THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE, ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION. THE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED. PH

THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A TOP PRIORITY INVESTIGATION. THE FRONT AXLES BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ON RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT. THE FRONT BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE ALL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BY MANUFACTURER. AXLE BEARING FAILURE OCCURED AT 21,000 MILES VEHICLE WAS 6 MONTHS OLD. THEN AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER WITH 38,000 MILES ON IT , AT THAT TIME IT WAS DISCOVERED THE BALL JOINTS ON THE UPPER AND LOWER ON BOTH SIDES WERE WORN OUT, MANUFACTURER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. RECENTLY A POWER STEERING LINE WHICH RUNS FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO THE POWER STEERING RESEVOIR STARTED LEAKING, UPON INSPECTION I FOUND IT HAD BEEN LEAKING FOR A WHILE BUT FINALLY OPENED UP. THE CASUE IS THE DESIGN OF THE POWER STEERING LINE, IT RUBS AGAINST THE A/C LINE WHICH IS METAL AND WORE A HOLE IN THE LINE. I PURCHASED THE LINE FRONT THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER. THE LINE HAS BEEN SUPERCEEDED 3 TIMES, A OBVIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM. I AM ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN, THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS I LISTED ARE VERY SERIOUS AND DODGE IS AWARE OF THEM. COMMENT TO ME WAS THE AXLE BEARINGS AND BALL JOINTS ARE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, THIS CAME FROM THE DEALER IT SELF. THE DEALERS ALSO CAN NOT KEEP THE POWER STEERING LINES IN STOCK. POTENTIAL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS FAILURES ARE AS FOLLOWS, BALL JOINT AND AXLE BEARING FAILURE SHOULD THEY BREAK WHILE OPERATING ON THE HIGHWAY CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING LINE WHEN IT FINALLY RUPTURES AFTER IT HAS WORN THROUGH CAN CAUSE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD DUE TO THE PROXIMITY OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND ALSO LOSS OF POWER STEERING. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT, IT IS ONLY 15 MONTHS OLD AND IS DRIVEN EXCLUSIVELY ON THE HIGHWAY. THESE FAILURES ARE NOT NORMAL ON ANY VEHICLE WITH THE MILEAGE I LISTED AND SHOULD PROMPT AN INVESTIGATION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED. THE SUPERCEEDED POWER STEERING LINE CAN BE CONFIRMED AT ANY DODGE OR CHRYSLER DEALER. THANK YOU KEVIN GILMORE DT

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WHOLE FRONT END HAS BEEN REPLACED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, POSSIBLY CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. *SLC

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS RUBBING. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER.*AK

SUSPENSION FEELS VERY LOOSE AT HIGHER SPEEDS WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER BUMPS AND POTHOLES IN THE ROAD ALSO STEERING WHEEL CATCHES AND PULLS RIGHT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT CURBS OR CROSS INTO TRAFFIC