2004 DODGE STRATUS Suspension Problems

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormal sounds and then lost motive power. Additionally, the front passenger's side ball stud separated from the ball joint housing, and the front passenger's side tire was stuck on the fender, preventing the engine from falling onto the ground. The failure almost caused a collision. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. While the vehicle was being placed on the flatbed tow truck, the oil filter fractured and detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

Mileage: 51,000

2.7 liter engine should be recalled and replaced because? 1. The internal water pump which have been known to wear out prematurely and destroy the engine regardless how well the owner maintains vehicle. 2. Subframe and rear suspension crossmember should be replace due to rotting out prematurely. 3 Gloss on paint prone to pealing.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WERE UNKNOWN RATTLING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE WHEELS WERE WOBBLING AS IF THEY WERE GOING TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BALL JOINTS ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY WERE FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E059000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,508.

Mileage: 116,508

I HAVE NOTICED WHEN I AM TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT THERE APPEARS TO BE SOMEWHAT OF A LACK OF CONTROL AND LOOSENING OF THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE AS I AM DRIVING. ALSO, THE SUSPENSION ON MY VEHICLE HAS BECOME MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED NEGATIVELY.

Mileage: 148,000

WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 5MPH, MY FRONT RIGHT WHEEL COLLAPSED CAUSING COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL AND CONTROL ARM IN TURN CAUSING MY AXLE TO COME OUT FROM THE TRANSMISSION AT THE CV JOINT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS BALL JOINT ISSUE BUT NOT FOR MY VIN SPECIFICALLY.

Mileage: 150,000

LOWER LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT BROKEN. THE OUTER BEARING CARRIER, FELL AWAY FROM THE SUSPENSION ARM, PULLING THE HALF SHAFT OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE WHEEL/TIRE ASSEMBLY JAMMED UP IN THE WHEEL WELL WITH A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION JUST FOLLOWING A TURN, IN A PARKING AREA.

Mileage: 118,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURES HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 07E023000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 10E059000 (SUSPENSION) WERE ISSUED FOR THESE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

CAR IS DRIVEN ON REGULAR CITY STREETS AND FREEWAYS. ROADS I DRIVE ARE PAVED - NO COUNTRY, DUSTY ROADS AND AREA ISN'T HEAVY IN POLLUTION. I PURCHASE MY GAS FROM SHELL OR CHEVRON AND REFILL AT 1/4 TO 1/3 TANK TO REDUCE CHANCE OF PICKING UP SEDIMENT FROM FUEL TANK. NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY.THAT CAR WOULD DROP IN SPEED FROM 60 MPH TO 20 RATHER QUICKLY AND THEN FORGET ABOUT GOING UP A HILL. I WAS ALSO GETTING 8-10 MPG. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER I NOTICED EVEN ON LEVEL CITY STREETS THE LOSS OF POWER. CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AS CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND WITH CALIFORNIA EMISSION REGULATIONS THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR WAS $ 1,600.00. A YEAR LATER, I NOTICED SOME LOSS OF POWER AND INCREASED FUEL CONSUMPTION. CAR WAS DIAGNOSED TO NEED CAT CONVERTER REPLACED AGAIN AND PAID ANOTHER $ 1,600.00. ALSO WAS DIAGNOSED THAT REAR MOUNTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND WAS WONDERING IF THIS WAS NORMAL. VERY BOUNCY RIDE. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

IS THEIR A RECALL ON ANYTHING ON MY VEHICLE? *TR

THERE ARE TWO RECALLS ON THE SAME MODEL/YEAR OF MY CAR (10E0959000 AND 09E056000). IN AUGUST, 2013 AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRMAN TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE IS THAT THE CAR NEEDS A FRONT CONTROL ARM AND LOWER BALL JOINT. THIS IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE TWO RECALLS. BUT I WAS TOLD BY A DODGE DEALER THAT MY VIN # DOES NOT HAVE ANY RECALLS. HOW IS IT DETERMINED THAT ONLY SOME VEHICLES ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND NOT OTHERS? IT IS TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE THAT MY VEHICLE HAS THE EXACT SAME MALFUNCTIONS AS IN THE TWO RECALLS. HOW DO I GET MY VIN # ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BALL JOINTS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE GRINDING SOUND PROGRESSED OVER TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINTS, OUTER TIE RODS AND THE STABILIZER BAR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09E056000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

DRIVING OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE CAR REAR SUSPENSION MADE A CLANGING NOISE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE LEFT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER TOP MOUNT IS BROKEN, AND THE SHOCK IS LOOSE AND RATTLING, NOT PERFORMING ITS FUNCTION TO STABILIZER THE VEHICLE OVER STANDARD ROAD CONDITIONS. LOSS OF SUSPENSION DURING BRAKING MANEUVER ON WET ROADS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT FROM LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

HEARD A POP, PULLED OVER AND THE TIRES ARE IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAY NO RECALLS ON THIS VIN, HOWEVER, THE PARTS IT SEEMS WERE RECALLED FOR OTHER VIN NUMBERS ON THIS VEHICLE. SPECIFICALLY RECALL ID 79805 AND RECALL ID 86458. *TR

Mileage: 120

CAR IS MAKING CRUNCHING SOUNDS IN REAR. BROUGHT INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON ROUTE 38, LUMBERTON NJ 08060 AND WAS TOLD IT'S THE REAR SUSPENSION/STRUTS ETC AND WOULD COST $1100.00 TO FIX. MY SISTER HAS THE SAME CAR, SAME YEAR AND HERS BROKE LAST YEAR. I THEN LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE PARTS THAT WERE PUT ONTO CAR DURING ASSEMBLY LINE WERE LIKE PLASTIC AND THEY CRUMBLE AND CAUSE THE WHOLE REAR TO FALL, CAUSE ACCIDENTS, CAUSE TIRES TO FLY OFF THE CAR AND DEATHS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IMMEDIATELY. MY MOM IS VERY ANGRY. SHE PAID FOR BOTH CARS AND WONT BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN MADE CAR AGAIN UNLESS THEY RECALL THIS ISSUE. SHE CALLED DODGE HEADQUARTERS 800 NUMBER AND SPOKE TO [XXX] AND HE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

MOUNTING BRACKET ON REAR STRUTS BROKE

Mileage: 113,349

HAVE A 2004 DODGE STRATUS AND UPPER LEFT REAR STRUT MOUNT HAS BROKEN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE BUYING THE CAR NEW. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

MY 2004 DODGE STRATUS HAS DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE ALUMINUM REAR STRUT UPPER MOUNT BRACKETS CORRODED SO BAD THEFT FELL APART IN 4 PIECES AND CORROSION DUST . THESE BRACKETS ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE TO FALL APART LIKE THIS ON A VEHICLE ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR DODGE TO REPLACE THESE PARTS OR PAY FOR THE PARTS ALREADY REPLACED. I NEED THE CAR. I CAN'T WAIT FOR A RECALL. I WILL KEEP THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

2004 DODGE STRATUS LEFT AXLE BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE TIRE FELL OFF, BRAKE ROTOR WAS REPLACED AND THEN THE BALL JOINT WENT BAD. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE TRANSMISSION GASKET WAS REPLACED TWICE AND THE VEHICLE SMELLED HOT. *JB

I WAS DRIVING AT 30MPH COMING TO STOP WHERE I HEARD THIS LOUD CLUNK LIKE IF I RAN OVER A LARGE ROCK AND BOTTOMED OUT ON IT. NOTHING HAPPENED TO THE CAR FROM WHAT I CAN SEE BUT I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE ON THIS CAR. *TR

Mileage: 23,900

THROUGH NORMAL DRIVING I EXITED OFF A HIGHWAY RAMP AND HEARD A LOUD CLANG AND THOUGHT MY CAR HAD BOTTOMED OUT. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR THE PART THAT ATTACHED MY REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE TO THE SHOCK HAD BROKEN FREE. A NEIGHBOR TOLD ME IT WAS THE UPPER LINK TO THE REAR VIEW. MY CAR IS NOW UNDRIVEABLE. THE REAR WHEEL TILTS ONTO THE SHOCK AND RUBS, ALSO EVERY SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS BOTTOMING OUT. *TR

Mileage: 49,800

THERE WAS A DISTINCTIVE RATTLE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION. THE FAILURE WAS THE UPPER STRUT MOUNT. THE RIGHT AND LEFT STRUT MOUNTS WERE REPLACED. THE ORIGINAL MATERIAL WAS ALUMINUM AND THE REPLACEMENT WAS PAINTED STEEL. THE DEALER SAID A FEW MONTHS AGO THERE WAS A WAITING LIST OF THOUSANDS OF THESE PARTS. DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PARTS LEFT AT TIRE STORE. *TR

Mileage: 142,000

MY VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE THE REAR STRUT MOUNTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. MY MECHANIC REPORTS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE IN DODGES AND THOUGHT THEIR MIGHT EVEN BE A RECALL ISSUED ON THIS PART BUT MY RESEARCH INDICATED THAT IS NOT THE CASE. *TR

Mileage: 66,000

MY 2004 DODGE STRATUS HAD THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR STRUT MOUNT FAIL. IT WAS OXIDIZED AND BROKE WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. I BROUGHT IT IN FOR REPAIR AND THERE IS NO PARTS FOR THIS. THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER. *TR

Mileage: 69,000

2004 DODGE STRATUS - APPROX 90,000 MILES AT FIRST, I NOTICED A THUMPING ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. AFTER CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE CAR WHILE TRYING TO DETERMINE CAUSE, THE REAR STRUT MOUNTING BRACKET BROKE. AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE CAR, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MOUNTING BRACKET BROKE DUE TO CORROSION. IT WAS ALSO SEEN AT THIS TIME THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR BRACKET WAS BROKE AS WELL, LEAVING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE AND UNSAFE. AFTER WE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD US THERE IS A NATIONAL BACKORDER ON THIS PART AND NO FORESEEN DATE OF WHEN THEY WILL GET THE PARTS TO FIX MY CAR. WE HAVE ALSO CONTACTED LOCAL SALVAGE YARDS TO FIND REPLACEMENTS UNTIL THE NEW PARTS ARRIVE, WITH NO SUCCESS. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

2004 DODGE STRATUS 67,000 MILES THE REAR STRUT TOWER BROKE OFF OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO CORROSION CAUSING THE TOWER TO BECOME LODGED INTO THE TIRE, DAMAGING THE TIRE, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE WAS CAUGHT PRIOR TO AN ACCIDENT. CHRYSLER IS UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND FOR THESE PARTS, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NATIONAL BACK-ORDER ON THE REAR STRUT MOUNTS AND MOUNTING PLATES AND THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A TIME AS TO WHEN MY VEHICLE CAN BE REPAIRED. *TR

Mileage: 67,000

FAILURE OF THE REAR UPPER STRUT MOUNTS ON A 2004 DODGE STRATUS SXT DUE TO CORROSION. WAS TOLD BY DODGE DEALER "OVER 9000" OF THESE ITEMS ARE BACK ORDERED. THE CAR IS UN-DRIVABLE AND DANGEROUS AS IS. ONE HAS COMPLETELY FAILED THE OTHER IS ALMOST CORRODED THROUGH. PARTS ARE UN-AVAILABLE THROUGH MANUFACTURER AND THIRD PARTY VENDORS. *TR

Mileage: 41,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, FELT A BUMP AND LOUD NOISES UNDER THE HOOD. SHE IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF THE UPPER ALUMINUM STRUT MOUNTS AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 08/14/08. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN HER HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE, HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE FELT AS IF THE REAR END WAS LOOSE OR UNSTABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD ORDER THE PART FOR THE REPAIR, BUT DID NOT KNOW WHEN IT WOULD ARRIVE BECAUSE IT WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,700. UPDATED 09/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/18/08. *JB

Mileage: 70,300

FAILURE OF MOUNTING BRACKET FOR REAR STRUTS: 2004 DODGE STRATUS, DATE OF MFG 09/2003. *TR

Mileage: 74,445

EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE WAS JUST NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR 79,500 MILES. THE FAILURE WAS A REAR STRUT MOUNT BREAKING AND LOSING SUSPENSION IN THE REAR. THIS IS A PERMANENT FAILURE AND THE OPPOSITE SIDE IS SHOWING A CRACK AND IS READY TO BREAK AS WELL. AS OF NOW THE VEHICLE IS NOT OPERABLE AND IF IT WERE TO HAVE BROKE AT A DIFFERENT TIME IT COULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. TO CORRECT THE FAILURE SERVICE WILL BE NEEDED BUT THERE IS A MULTIPLE MONTH WAIT FOR PARTS ACCORDING TO LOCAL DEALERSHIPS. THE OLD PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE ONCE REPLACEMENT PARTS CAN BE PROVIDED. *TR

Mileage: 79,800

2004 DODGE STRATUS REAR UPPER STRUT MOUNTS BREAKING FROM CORROSION. I HAVE PICTURES AND THE PARTS THAT I CAN SEND. *TR

Mileage: 104,995

2004 DODGE STRATUS WITH REAR END PROBLEMS. CONSUMER HAD THE RESONATOR REPLACED, AND THEN WAS TOLD THE REAR STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN HER DAD WAS REPLACING THE STRUTS THEY BROKE INTO PIECES BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE CORROSION. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A MINOR PROBLEM WITH THE HORN. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE THINKS THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AS THE VEHICLE CHANGES GEARS, IT WILL NOT CHANGE SMOOTHLY AND ENDS UP JERKING BACK AND FORTH AS SHE TRIES TO INCREASE SPEED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT, IS TO TAKE HER FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THEN ACCELERATE THROUGH TO THE NEXT GEAR *TR

HEARD LOUD CLANKING WHILE DRIVING. WHEN HOME INSPECTED RIGHT REAR UPPER STRUT MOUNT AND FOUND IT BROKEN. CALLED DEALER, WHO REPLACED BOTH SIDES. LEFT SIDE WAS ERODED FROM THE TOP AROUND THE SPRING CUP WHERE SALT WATER WAS PROBABLY SITTING IN WINTER, CAUSING SEVERE EROSION COUPLED WITH THE JOUNCING OF THE STRUT WHICH CAUSED BREAKAGE. *AK

Mileage: 66,887

RIGHT REAR UPPER STRUT MOUNT CORRODED AND FAILED. THE REAR SUSPENSION HAD NO SUPPORT AS THE TOP OF THE STRUT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENT RESULTED BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY POOR DESIGN FOR AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE SALT IS USED TO CLEAR SNOW FROM ROADS. PREVIOUS YEARS DESIGN OF THE UPPER MOUNT WAS A STEEL MOUNT. IN 2004 THE MOUNT APPEARS TO BE ALUMINUM AND VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION. THE ONLY AVAILABLE REPAIR WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE MOUNT. I REPLACED BOTH MOUNTS AS THE OTHER WAS BEGINNING TO CORRODE AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 61,900

DEALER SAID I HAD TO HAVE REAR LATERAL LINK REPLACED TO ALIGN CAR PROPERLY. DODGE STRATUS SXT HAD 31,000 MILES ON IT BUT DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER 3YR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THEY SAID IT WAS COVERED. DEALER WOULD NOT REFUND COST TO REPLACE PART. *JB

Mileage: 30,951

CLICK SOUND IN LEFT FRONT AREA WHEN ACCELERATING (FWD AND REVERSE) AND BREAKING. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH STRATUS R/T AND THE SIMILAR MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND DISCUSSION CAN BE FOUND HERE. HTTP://WWW.ECLIPSEFORUMS.ORG/FORTOPIC8583-0-ASC-0.HTML. *NN

Mileage: 3,045

THE LEFT REAR LOWER ARM CONTROL SNAPPED CAUSING DAMAGED TO THE LEFTSIDE DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS INCLUDING FRAME AND CROSS MEMBER THE WHOLE REAR WAS REPLACED INCLUDING THE GAS TANK

Mileage: 26,600