Owners have filed 39 complaints
about the 2001 Dodge Stratus Coupe with NHTSA between 2001 and 2016.
The largest single group is the body & structure.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 75
Against the median year of the Dodge Stratus Coupe. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
30.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 55
32% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2001 compares with every other Dodge Stratus Coupe
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
725.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
828.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
414.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
621.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
27.1%
150,000+ miles
13.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2001peak 3Feb 2016
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 100,000 milesThibodaux, LAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE PARKED AND TURNED OFF, MY '01 DODGE STRATUS R/T ENCOUNTERED AN ENGINE FIRE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE IS ALMOST BEYOND RECOGNITION. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING OF THE KIND WAS WRONG; THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING AS USUAL. A SIMPLE GOOGLE OF "STRATUS ENGINE FIRE" TURNED UP AN OVERWHELMING OCCURRENCE OF STRATUS OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED NEAR THE FUSEBOX, WHICH WAS ALSO THE LOCATION OF THE FIRE IN THE COUNTLESS SEARCH RESULTS. THE CAR HAD IDLED TOO HIGH FROM A FEW DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED IT. WE HAD THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE CHANGED AND THE IDLE SPEED ADJUSTED BY THE SHOP FOUR OR FIVE TIMES, YET NOTHING WOULD STOP THE HIGH IDLE. THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD DECREASE IT WAS TO TURN THE AIR CONDITIONER ON--WHICH BRINGS ME TO ANOTHER PROBLEM. THE DRAIN HOLES FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER ARE NOT SUFFICIENT FOR DRAINAGE. THUS, RUNNING THE AC LEADS TO WATER POOLING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD. ALL WE COULD GET THE SHOP TO DO WAS BLOW OUT THE DRAIN HOLES AND CHECK FOR CLOGS. SO, IF WE WANTED THE CAR TO IDLE AT A LOWER SPEED, WE WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH A COUPLE INCHES OF WATER ON THE FLOORBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #10312984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesThibodaux, LAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE PARKED AND TURNED OFF, MY '01 DODGE STRATUS R/T ENCOUNTERED AN ENGINE FIRE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE IS ALMOST BEYOND RECOGNITION. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING OF THE KIND WAS WRONG; THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING AS USUAL. A SIMPLE GOOGLE OF "STRATUS ENGINE FIRE" TURNED UP AN OVERWHELMING OCCURRENCE OF STRATUS OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED NEAR THE FUSEBOX, WHICH WAS ALSO THE LOCATION OF THE FIRE IN THE COUNTLESS SEARCH RESULTS. THE CAR HAD IDLED TOO HIGH FROM A FEW DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED IT. WE HAD THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE CHANGED AND THE IDLE SPEED ADJUSTED BY THE SHOP FOUR OR FIVE TIMES, YET NOTHING WOULD STOP THE HIGH IDLE. THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD DECREASE IT WAS TO TURN THE AIR CONDITIONER ON--WHICH BRINGS ME TO ANOTHER PROBLEM. THE DRAIN HOLES FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER ARE NOT SUFFICIENT FOR DRAINAGE. THUS, RUNNING THE AC LEADS TO WATER POOLING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD. ALL WE COULD GET THE SHOP TO DO WAS BLOW OUT THE DRAIN HOLES AND CHECK FOR CLOGS. SO, IF WE WANTED THE CAR TO IDLE AT A LOWER SPEED, WE WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH A COUPLE INCHES OF WATER ON THE FLOORBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #10312984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesTulsa, OKCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I BOUGHT MY 2001 STRATUS R/T USED. NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I HAD BOUGHT IT, I HAD TO PAY OVER $100 TO GET IT TO IDLE RIGHT. THEN I WAS IN A NOT-AT-FAULT ACCIDENT 6 MOS. LATER WITH OVER $8,000 IN DAMAGES TO THE FRONT END AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. AFTER THE WRECK I HAD TO PAY OVER $ 1,300 TO GET THE SHOCKS & STRUTS FIXED JUST TO HAVE IT MESS UP NOT EVEN 4 MOS. LATER. IT ALSO AS A ROTTEN ODOR COMING FROM IT OCCASIONALLY. I ALSO PAID ALMOST $200 FOR A NEW BATTERY TO HAVE IT START TO DRAIN NOT EVEN 6-7 MOS. LATER! AND WHEN THE BATTERY HAD TO BE CLEANED, I HAD TO GET IT RE-IDLED AGAIN! NOW IT WON'T STAY STARTED UNLESS YOU'RE GIVING IT GAS. I LOVE THE LOOK, BUT WORST CAR I EVER BOUGHT. AND IT'S NOT EVEN PAID OFF!!!! *E.G.*
NHTSA complaint #10202751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesTulsa, OKCrash1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I BOUGHT MY 2001 STRATUS R/T USED. NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I HAD BOUGHT IT, I HAD TO PAY OVER $100 TO GET IT TO IDLE RIGHT. THEN I WAS IN A NOT-AT-FAULT ACCIDENT 6 MOS. LATER WITH OVER $8,000 IN DAMAGES TO THE FRONT END AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. AFTER THE WRECK I HAD TO PAY OVER $ 1,300 TO GET THE SHOCKS & STRUTS FIXED JUST TO HAVE IT MESS UP NOT EVEN 4 MOS. LATER. IT ALSO AS A ROTTEN ODOR COMING FROM IT OCCASIONALLY. I ALSO PAID ALMOST $200 FOR A NEW BATTERY TO HAVE IT START TO DRAIN NOT EVEN 6-7 MOS. LATER! AND WHEN THE BATTERY HAD TO BE CLEANED, I HAD TO GET IT RE-IDLED AGAIN! NOW IT WON'T STAY STARTED UNLESS YOU'RE GIVING IT GAS. I LOVE THE LOOK, BUT WORST CAR I EVER BOUGHT. AND IT'S NOT EVEN PAID OFF!!!! *E.G.*
NHTSA complaint #10202751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesTulsa, OKCrash1 injured
EQUIPMENT
I BOUGHT MY 2001 STRATUS R/T USED. NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I HAD BOUGHT IT, I HAD TO PAY OVER $100 TO GET IT TO IDLE RIGHT. THEN I WAS IN A NOT-AT-FAULT ACCIDENT 6 MOS. LATER WITH OVER $8,000 IN DAMAGES TO THE FRONT END AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. AFTER THE WRECK I HAD TO PAY OVER $ 1,300 TO GET THE SHOCKS & STRUTS FIXED JUST TO HAVE IT MESS UP NOT EVEN 4 MOS. LATER. IT ALSO AS A ROTTEN ODOR COMING FROM IT OCCASIONALLY. I ALSO PAID ALMOST $200 FOR A NEW BATTERY TO HAVE IT START TO DRAIN NOT EVEN 6-7 MOS. LATER! AND WHEN THE BATTERY HAD TO BE CLEANED, I HAD TO GET IT RE-IDLED AGAIN! NOW IT WON'T STAY STARTED UNLESS YOU'RE GIVING IT GAS. I LOVE THE LOOK, BUT WORST CAR I EVER BOUGHT. AND IT'S NOT EVEN PAID OFF!!!! *E.G.*
NHTSA complaint #10202751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesPorter Corners, NYCrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
2001 DODGE STRATUS WAS HIT ON PASSENGER SIDE BY A JEEP CHEROKEE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE DOOR SETUP IN THE STRATUS WAS NOT AT ALL EFFECTIVE. NOT ONLY DID THE DOOR PROVIDE ABSOLUTELY NO PROTECTION TO A PASSENGER HAD THERE BEEN ONE, BUT THE ENTIRE DOOR WAS FORCED INTO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE INTRUDING DOOR STRUCK AND INJURED THE DRIVER IN THE CAR. WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE STRUCTURAL DESIGN IN THE DOOR, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SECURED TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. REGARDLESS, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN FATAL TO ANYONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. CHANGES SHOULD BE MADE TO NEW MODELS. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE CAR. HOW CAN DAIMLERCHRYSLER SACRIFICE A HUNDRED OR TWO POUNDS OF SOLID STEEL AND HUNDRED OF PRECIOUS LIVES TO GET ANOTHER MILE TO THE GALLON? THAT PASSENGER SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME, BUT I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE GOING OUT THAT NIGHT. LITTLE DID I KNOW, THAT HAD I LEFT MY HOUSE, I WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY. PLEASE HELP ME CORRECT THESE AWFUL FLAWS IN TODAY'S COMPACT AND MIDSIZE CARS.
NHTSA complaint #10114005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Massillon, OH
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS COUPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10823562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houghton Lake, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
THE TRUNK DOOR CAME SLAMMING DOWN ON MY HEAD AND I THOUGHT IT WAS BLEEDING AT THE TIME. THANKFULLY IT WAS NOT, AND I GOT HOME AND PUT ICE ON MY HEAD. I DID NOT GO TO THE DR. HOWEVER I DO WORRY ABOUT MY CHILDREN AND FORGETTING TO KEEP THEIR SMALL FINGERS AND HANDS OUT OF THE WAY OF THE TRUNK AREA. VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10547477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tennessee, TN
TIRES
DEC. 2010 WE PURCHASED 4 BF GOODRICH TRACTION T/A TIRES FOR OUR DAUGHTERS CAR. WE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THE SIDEWALLS OF THESE TIRES WERE SPLITTING. THERE ACTUALLY WAS NO FAILURE OF THE TIRES BUT WE FELT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10488039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesClinton, MO
WHEELS
FIRST OFF, I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM MY SISTER...THE BALL JOINT BROKE ON ME WITHIN A MONTH...PROBABLY NOT HER FAULT. HOWEVER THE CAR WAS MAKING A LOT OF NOISES AND CLANKS AND CREAKS, I WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST THE BUSHINGS, GUESS I FOUND OUT IT WASN'T THE HARD WAY. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THE BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED THE REAR STRUT BROKE AND WAS RUBBING THE INSIDE OF THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. AFTER THAT WAS FIXED, ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND HEARD AN ODD GRINDING SOUND STARTED TO SOUND LIKE A FLAT, PULLED OVER TO DISCOVER THAT ALL OF MY LUGNUTS HAD BEEN PUSHED OFF SOMEHOW AND THE RIM HAD GRINDED DOWN THE POSTS. IT WAS ONLY HOLDING ON BY 1 LUGNUT AND IT WAS ALMOST OFF TOO. MOST RECENTLY THE CAR KEEPS OVERHEATING, REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, AND CHECKED ALL FLUIDS NONE OF WHICH WERE LEAKING. STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED THAT ONE OUT...ALL THE FANS ARE RUNNING ALSO. AND TODAY THE CALIPER BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT CAUGHT ON THE RIM AND MADE ME COME TO A FORCEFUL STOP. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS JUST BAD LUCK OR A PIECE OF CRAP CAR, HOPEFULLY THESE SITUATIONS RE OCCURRING ONE AFTER ANOTHER ISN'T HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE. I REGRET THE DAY I EVER BOUGHT THIS CAR, CONSTANTLY SINKING MONEY INTO IT JUST TO KEEP IT RUNNING, I SWEAR IM GONNA SCRAP IT AS SOON AS I GET MY TAXES, I COULDN'T LET ANY ONE ELSE OWN THIS GODFORSAKEN CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10435400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesClinton, MO
SUSPENSION
FIRST OFF, I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM MY SISTER...THE BALL JOINT BROKE ON ME WITHIN A MONTH...PROBABLY NOT HER FAULT. HOWEVER THE CAR WAS MAKING A LOT OF NOISES AND CLANKS AND CREAKS, I WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST THE BUSHINGS, GUESS I FOUND OUT IT WASN'T THE HARD WAY. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THE BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED THE REAR STRUT BROKE AND WAS RUBBING THE INSIDE OF THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. AFTER THAT WAS FIXED, ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND HEARD AN ODD GRINDING SOUND STARTED TO SOUND LIKE A FLAT, PULLED OVER TO DISCOVER THAT ALL OF MY LUGNUTS HAD BEEN PUSHED OFF SOMEHOW AND THE RIM HAD GRINDED DOWN THE POSTS. IT WAS ONLY HOLDING ON BY 1 LUGNUT AND IT WAS ALMOST OFF TOO. MOST RECENTLY THE CAR KEEPS OVERHEATING, REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, AND CHECKED ALL FLUIDS NONE OF WHICH WERE LEAKING. STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED THAT ONE OUT...ALL THE FANS ARE RUNNING ALSO. AND TODAY THE CALIPER BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT CAUGHT ON THE RIM AND MADE ME COME TO A FORCEFUL STOP. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS JUST BAD LUCK OR A PIECE OF CRAP CAR, HOPEFULLY THESE SITUATIONS RE OCCURRING ONE AFTER ANOTHER ISN'T HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE. I REGRET THE DAY I EVER BOUGHT THIS CAR, CONSTANTLY SINKING MONEY INTO IT JUST TO KEEP IT RUNNING, I SWEAR IM GONNA SCRAP IT AS SOON AS I GET MY TAXES, I COULDN'T LET ANY ONE ELSE OWN THIS GODFORSAKEN CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10435400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesClinton, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FIRST OFF, I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM MY SISTER...THE BALL JOINT BROKE ON ME WITHIN A MONTH...PROBABLY NOT HER FAULT. HOWEVER THE CAR WAS MAKING A LOT OF NOISES AND CLANKS AND CREAKS, I WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST THE BUSHINGS, GUESS I FOUND OUT IT WASN'T THE HARD WAY. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THE BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED THE REAR STRUT BROKE AND WAS RUBBING THE INSIDE OF THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. AFTER THAT WAS FIXED, ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND HEARD AN ODD GRINDING SOUND STARTED TO SOUND LIKE A FLAT, PULLED OVER TO DISCOVER THAT ALL OF MY LUGNUTS HAD BEEN PUSHED OFF SOMEHOW AND THE RIM HAD GRINDED DOWN THE POSTS. IT WAS ONLY HOLDING ON BY 1 LUGNUT AND IT WAS ALMOST OFF TOO. MOST RECENTLY THE CAR KEEPS OVERHEATING, REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, AND CHECKED ALL FLUIDS NONE OF WHICH WERE LEAKING. STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED THAT ONE OUT...ALL THE FANS ARE RUNNING ALSO. AND TODAY THE CALIPER BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT CAUGHT ON THE RIM AND MADE ME COME TO A FORCEFUL STOP. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS JUST BAD LUCK OR A PIECE OF CRAP CAR, HOPEFULLY THESE SITUATIONS RE OCCURRING ONE AFTER ANOTHER ISN'T HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE. I REGRET THE DAY I EVER BOUGHT THIS CAR, CONSTANTLY SINKING MONEY INTO IT JUST TO KEEP IT RUNNING, I SWEAR IM GONNA SCRAP IT AS SOON AS I GET MY TAXES, I COULDN'T LET ANY ONE ELSE OWN THIS GODFORSAKEN CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10435400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Missouri City, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I DID EXPERIENCE MY CAR ACCELERATING. I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN WHEN MY CAR JUST STARTED REVVING UP. I COULD FEEL THE CAR PULLING BECAUSE IT WAS ACCELERATING. I HAD KEPT FEET ON THE BRAKES BUT IT KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND PULLING UNTIL I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. I STARTED IT UP AGAIN WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN BUT IT WAS STILL ACCELERATING, SO I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND PARK THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10318855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesThibodaux, LAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE PARKED AND TURNED OFF, MY '01 DODGE STRATUS R/T ENCOUNTERED AN ENGINE FIRE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE IS ALMOST BEYOND RECOGNITION. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING OF THE KIND WAS WRONG; THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING AS USUAL. A SIMPLE GOOGLE OF "STRATUS ENGINE FIRE" TURNED UP AN OVERWHELMING OCCURRENCE OF STRATUS OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED NEAR THE FUSEBOX, WHICH WAS ALSO THE LOCATION OF THE FIRE IN THE COUNTLESS SEARCH RESULTS. THE CAR HAD IDLED TOO HIGH FROM A FEW DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED IT. WE HAD THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE CHANGED AND THE IDLE SPEED ADJUSTED BY THE SHOP FOUR OR FIVE TIMES, YET NOTHING WOULD STOP THE HIGH IDLE. THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD DECREASE IT WAS TO TURN THE AIR CONDITIONER ON--WHICH BRINGS ME TO ANOTHER PROBLEM. THE DRAIN HOLES FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER ARE NOT SUFFICIENT FOR DRAINAGE. THUS, RUNNING THE AC LEADS TO WATER POOLING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD. ALL WE COULD GET THE SHOP TO DO WAS BLOW OUT THE DRAIN HOLES AND CHECK FOR CLOGS. SO, IF WE WANTED THE CAR TO IDLE AT A LOWER SPEED, WE WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH A COUPLE INCHES OF WATER ON THE FLOORBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #10312984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesThibodaux, LAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE PARKED AND TURNED OFF, MY '01 DODGE STRATUS R/T ENCOUNTERED AN ENGINE FIRE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE IS ALMOST BEYOND RECOGNITION. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING OF THE KIND WAS WRONG; THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING AS USUAL. A SIMPLE GOOGLE OF "STRATUS ENGINE FIRE" TURNED UP AN OVERWHELMING OCCURRENCE OF STRATUS OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED NEAR THE FUSEBOX, WHICH WAS ALSO THE LOCATION OF THE FIRE IN THE COUNTLESS SEARCH RESULTS. THE CAR HAD IDLED TOO HIGH FROM A FEW DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED IT. WE HAD THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE CHANGED AND THE IDLE SPEED ADJUSTED BY THE SHOP FOUR OR FIVE TIMES, YET NOTHING WOULD STOP THE HIGH IDLE. THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD DECREASE IT WAS TO TURN THE AIR CONDITIONER ON--WHICH BRINGS ME TO ANOTHER PROBLEM. THE DRAIN HOLES FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER ARE NOT SUFFICIENT FOR DRAINAGE. THUS, RUNNING THE AC LEADS TO WATER POOLING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD. ALL WE COULD GET THE SHOP TO DO WAS BLOW OUT THE DRAIN HOLES AND CHECK FOR CLOGS. SO, IF WE WANTED THE CAR TO IDLE AT A LOWER SPEED, WE WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH A COUPLE INCHES OF WATER ON THE FLOORBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #10312984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesMorrow, OH
STRUCTURE
PURCHASED THIS 2001 DODGE STRATUS R/T COUPE IN JULY OF 2009. AUGUST 2ND THERE ARE HUGE CRACKS IN THE DASH AND THE DEFROST VENTS HAVE DISINTEGRATED. ONCE THE DASH COMPLETELY CRACKS IT EXPOSES WIRING TO THE ELEMENTS, WHICH COULD CAUSE ARCING OR A FIRE.....
NHTSA complaint #10279533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,500 milesDearborn, MI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I AM WRITING ON BEHALF OF THE ISSUE CONCERNING SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF MITSUBISHI/DODGE VEHICLES CONTAINING THE F4A51 AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE (2000-05 ECLIPSE, 2001-05 STRATUS RT, 1997-2003 V6 GALANT) THE MAIN ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE WAVE/CUSHION SPRING LOCATED IN THE TRANSMISSION. MITSUBISHI HAS DESIGNED THE WAVE SPRING AS A FRAGILE TWO COIL PIECE WHICH HAS BEEN KNOWN TO REPEATEDLY BREAK CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IN TURN POSES A THREAT ON THE DRIVER/PASSENGERS AS WHEN THIS WAVE SPRING BREAKS, ACTUAL PIECES OF THE SPRING MAKE IT THROUGH MITSUBISHI'S ALSO FAULTY TRANSMISSION FILTER AND LODGE THEMSELVES IN THE PUMP GEAR, CAUSING THE GEAR TO BREAK. WHEN BROKEN, ALL FORWARD AND REVERSE GEARS IMMEDIATELY STOP FUNCTIONING AND IN MOST INSTANCES THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THIS COULD RESULT IN POTENTIAL HARM OR EVEN DEATH OF THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER AS THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL MOVING POWER WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. MITSUBISHI HAS RECENTLY CREATED AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE WAVE SPRING WITHOUT ISSUING A RECALL, A NOW ONE PIECE DESIGN INSTEAD OF A COIL SETUP WHICH IS PRONE TO BREAKING. TO MANY MITSUBISHI/DODGE OWNERS THIS UPDATE WAS DISCOVERED AFTER THEY HAVE HAD THEIR VEHICLE IN A TRANSMISSION SHOP WITH A HEFTY BILL TO PAY EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MITSUBISHI'S FAULT FOR ENGINEERING A FAULTY PART. ALL ONE PERSON WOULD NEED TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS ISSUE IS SEARCH THE INTERNET WITH THE TRANSMISSION CODE F4A51 AND THIS ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED, EVEN RESEARCHED BY TRANSMISSION DIGEST. NOT ONLY IS THIS A LARGE INCONVENIENCE TO MOST, IT IS ALSO A HAZARD TO ONES LIFE. MITSUBISHI SHOULD RECALL ALL VEHICLES CONTAINING THE F4A51 TRANSMISSION TO PERFORM THE WAVE SPRING AND FILTER UPDATE OR REIMBURSE THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD IT DONE AT THEIR COST. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS IF YOU OWN A VEHICLE WITH THE F4A51 YOUR VEHICLE WILL EVENTUALLY NEED THIS REPAIR, IF YOU ARE STILL AROUND TO DO IT.
NHTSA complaint #10235947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesBerrien Springs, MI
STRUCTURE
CLEAR COAT ON BLACK PAINT HAS TURNED WHITE AND FLAKING OFF. STARTED ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR IN THE FALL OF 2006. DEALER AND LETTER TO MANUFACTURER BOTH OFFERED NO HELP. THE CLEAR COAT PROBLEM HAS SPREAD TO THE HOOD, SIDES, AND TRUNK ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #10235882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesJohnstown, PA
STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2001 DODGE STRATUS R/T HAS BECOME SEVERLY CRACKED. I FIRST NOTICED A SMALL CRACK LAST YEAR SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. A FEW MONTHS LATER I NOTICED THAT THE CRACK HAD BECOME EVEN LARGER AND THAT ANOTHER CRACK WAS FORMING. THEN DURING THE WINTER MONTHS I NOTICED A THIRD CRACK NEAR THE DEFROSTER VENT! I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THEM. THEY TOLD THAT THEY WERE UNFAMILIAR WITH ANY SUCH PROBLEM AND THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP ME. I NOTICED A 4TH CRACK A FEW WEEKS AGO AND DID SOME SEARCHING ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE WAS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE! I HAVE READ WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE DASHBOARD REPLACED/REPAIRED ONLY TO HAVE THE CRACKING PROBLEM RECUR. NOW I HAVE NOT TRIED TO TAKE THE DASHBOARD OFF TO REPAIR IT FOR FEAR THAT IT WOULD SIMPLY FALL TO PIECES. I BELIEVE THAT DAIMLER CHRYSLER IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS DEFECT AND FIX IT AT THEIR COST! IF I WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED I'M CONCERNED THAT PIECES OF PLASTIC WOULD FLY OFF AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY!
NHTSA complaint #10231665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Homer City, PA
STRUCTURE
DASH IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. WORST SPOT IS FROM THE COMPASS/TEMPERATURE POD TO THE DEFROSTER VENT.
NHTSA complaint #10218261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,500 milesRochester Hills, MI
STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 01 STRATUS COUPE HAS CRACKED WITHOUT ANY FORCE OR CAUSE. I HAVE HAD AN ANNOYING RATTLE HAS A RESULT OF THIS CRACK.
NHTSA complaint #10212412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm BAY, FL
STRUCTURE
THE DASH IN OUR '01 STRATUS COUPE IS CRACKING IN ABOUT 5 DIFFERENT PLACES. THE DEALER WILL NOT HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10210029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesDaytona Beach, FL
STRUCTURE
DASHBOARD SEVERELY CRACKED AFTER ONLY 40,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10208144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesTulsa, OKCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I BOUGHT MY 2001 STRATUS R/T USED. NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I HAD BOUGHT IT, I HAD TO PAY OVER $100 TO GET IT TO IDLE RIGHT. THEN I WAS IN A NOT-AT-FAULT ACCIDENT 6 MOS. LATER WITH OVER $8,000 IN DAMAGES TO THE FRONT END AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. AFTER THE WRECK I HAD TO PAY OVER $ 1,300 TO GET THE SHOCKS & STRUTS FIXED JUST TO HAVE IT MESS UP NOT EVEN 4 MOS. LATER. IT ALSO AS A ROTTEN ODOR COMING FROM IT OCCASIONALLY. I ALSO PAID ALMOST $200 FOR A NEW BATTERY TO HAVE IT START TO DRAIN NOT EVEN 6-7 MOS. LATER! AND WHEN THE BATTERY HAD TO BE CLEANED, I HAD TO GET IT RE-IDLED AGAIN! NOW IT WON'T STAY STARTED UNLESS YOU'RE GIVING IT GAS. I LOVE THE LOOK, BUT WORST CAR I EVER BOUGHT. AND IT'S NOT EVEN PAID OFF!!!! *E.G.*
NHTSA complaint #10202751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesTulsa, OKCrash1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I BOUGHT MY 2001 STRATUS R/T USED. NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I HAD BOUGHT IT, I HAD TO PAY OVER $100 TO GET IT TO IDLE RIGHT. THEN I WAS IN A NOT-AT-FAULT ACCIDENT 6 MOS. LATER WITH OVER $8,000 IN DAMAGES TO THE FRONT END AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. AFTER THE WRECK I HAD TO PAY OVER $ 1,300 TO GET THE SHOCKS & STRUTS FIXED JUST TO HAVE IT MESS UP NOT EVEN 4 MOS. LATER. IT ALSO AS A ROTTEN ODOR COMING FROM IT OCCASIONALLY. I ALSO PAID ALMOST $200 FOR A NEW BATTERY TO HAVE IT START TO DRAIN NOT EVEN 6-7 MOS. LATER! AND WHEN THE BATTERY HAD TO BE CLEANED, I HAD TO GET IT RE-IDLED AGAIN! NOW IT WON'T STAY STARTED UNLESS YOU'RE GIVING IT GAS. I LOVE THE LOOK, BUT WORST CAR I EVER BOUGHT. AND IT'S NOT EVEN PAID OFF!!!! *E.G.*
NHTSA complaint #10202751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesTulsa, OKCrash1 injured
EQUIPMENT
I BOUGHT MY 2001 STRATUS R/T USED. NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I HAD BOUGHT IT, I HAD TO PAY OVER $100 TO GET IT TO IDLE RIGHT. THEN I WAS IN A NOT-AT-FAULT ACCIDENT 6 MOS. LATER WITH OVER $8,000 IN DAMAGES TO THE FRONT END AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. AFTER THE WRECK I HAD TO PAY OVER $ 1,300 TO GET THE SHOCKS & STRUTS FIXED JUST TO HAVE IT MESS UP NOT EVEN 4 MOS. LATER. IT ALSO AS A ROTTEN ODOR COMING FROM IT OCCASIONALLY. I ALSO PAID ALMOST $200 FOR A NEW BATTERY TO HAVE IT START TO DRAIN NOT EVEN 6-7 MOS. LATER! AND WHEN THE BATTERY HAD TO BE CLEANED, I HAD TO GET IT RE-IDLED AGAIN! NOW IT WON'T STAY STARTED UNLESS YOU'RE GIVING IT GAS. I LOVE THE LOOK, BUT WORST CAR I EVER BOUGHT. AND IT'S NOT EVEN PAID OFF!!!! *E.G.*
NHTSA complaint #10202751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,000 milesDaytona Beach, FL
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR
LIGHT IN REARVIREW MIRROR STOPPED WORKING. NEXT DAY, WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE, THE INTERIOR COMPONENTS OF REARVIEW MIRROR HEATED UP TO SUCH AN EXTREME TEMPERATURE THAT THE PLASTIC CASING ACTUALLY MELTED AND DRIPPED ONTO THE CONSOLE BELOW, MELTING THAT AS WELL. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE IT REEKED OF A BURNT SMELL AND WAS HAZY ON THE INTERIOR. THE MIRROR NO LONGER DIMS AND SEEMS TO HAVE MELTED ALSO, AS THE MIRROR NOW LOOKS AS IF I WERE LOOKING THROUGH ICE. I AM NOW WEARY ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I AM AFRAID IT COULD CATCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10197160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesFredericksburg, VA
STRUCTURE
MY DASH CRACKED RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. IF IT IS NOT MENDED IT WILL SPREAD AND CRACK THROUGH THE ENTIRE THING, SPLITTING IT INTO 2 PIECES.
NHTSA complaint #10192035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesPort Orange, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
DASHBOARD CRACKED AND SPLIT IN THE 2001 DODGE STRATUS COUPE. ALSO MY WIFE' S 2002 DODGE, STRATUS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. PIECES FELL INTO THE VENTS AND RATTLED. SO FAR THERE HAVE BEEN NO MAJOR FAILURES,BUT WE HAVE HEARD OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CARS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND SOME HAD ELECTRICAL FAILURES WHEN THE DASH BOARD COLLAPSED.
NHTSA complaint #10190262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2001 DODGE STRATUS CUSTOMER HAS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE PAINT JOB**CC
NHTSA complaint #10185831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elsmere, KY
STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE STRATUS R/T AND THE WHOLE DASH BOARD IS CRACKING ALL OVER, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE AIRBAG POD. I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF REVIEWS IN WWW.2GSTRATUS.ORG OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING ON OTHER MEMBERS DASHES. ALONG WITH SOME OTHER CLUBS SUCH AS MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. MITSUBISHI DESIGNED THE CAR. I AM AFRAID THAT IF THE DASHES CONTINUE TO CRACK AND THEN SAG THAT THE AIRBAG WILL ALSO DROP FROM THE DASH YANKING THE WIRES AND SETTING OFF THE SENSOR CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY AND POSSIBLE INJURIES OR DEATH MAY BE OBTAINED.
NHTSA complaint #10183169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.