111 of the 3,617 complaints filed about the Dodge Stratus are about the throttle and cruise control — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1997.
111
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
20
Crashes
2
Fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND ON CITY STREET. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND BE HARD TO TURN. SOMETIMES SPEEDOMETER WILL STOP WORKING CORRECTLY. CAR WILL SHUT DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11011533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
LATELY WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THEN A COUPLE MINUTES AFTER IT COMES ON THE STEERING WILL LOCK UP. IT HAS DONE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN BUT THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WOULDN'T WORK. AFTER THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED BUT NOW WHENEVER IT MALFUNCTIONS THE CAR SHUTS OFF ON ITS OWN AND WILL NOT START AGAIN UNTIL ITS BEEN SITTING UNTOUCHED FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN TOWN (25 MPH) AND ON ROADS UP TO 55 MPHS.
NHTSA complaint #11003866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HORN HAD NO FUNCTIONALITY AND THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #11000003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 DODGE STRATUS, I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING AND I HEARD A KIND OF SNAP AND THEN I FELT AND HEARD A GRINDING IN MY STEERING WHEEL. FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHENEVER I HAD TO MAKE A TURN THERE WAS THIS NOISE LIST A SPRING WAS CAUGHT AND ALMOST WOULD GET CAUGHT AND I WOULD HAVE TO QUICKLY JERK THE STEERING WHEEL SO IT WOULDN'T GET STUCK AND KEEP ME FROM TURNING. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON, SO IT WON,T DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, MY HORN DOESN'T WORK, AND I LOST FUNCTION OF MY SPEED CONTROL. I WAS TOLD THIS IS MY CLOCKSPRING. THIS FAULTY CLOCKSPRING WAS RECALLED IN MANY DODGE VEHICLES BUT HAS YET TO BE RECALLED IN MY VEHICLE. SEE SAFETY RECALL NO. B24 (11/01/2002) FOR 1998 DODGE VEHICLES BUT DODGE CONTINUED TO USE THESE FAULTY CLOCKSPRINGS THAT IN FACT SHOULD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10918117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE DASHBOARD AS THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000. UPDATED 09/02/14
NHTSA complaint #10611212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS AS 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DRIVER SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING BUT THE ENGINE RPMS CONTINUED TO FLUCTUATE RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,252.
NHTSA complaint #10557808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
EITHER THE OIL LIGHT OR CRUISE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND CAR LOSES ALL POWER. I HAVE TO PULL OFF ROAD AND PUT CAR IN PARK TURN IT OFF AND SOMETIMES IT WILL JUST START RIGHT BACK AND SOMETIMES I HAVE TO WAIT FOR ABOUT 30 MINS FOR IT TO START BACK. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR SINCE MARCH OF 2013 AND IT HAS DONE THIS 10-12 TIMES SINCE THEN. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES CAUSE WITH NO POWER IT IS HARD TO GET CAR OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM YET.
NHTSA complaint #10536772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE AT A STOP OR COMING TO A STOP, TOOK TO DEALER IN 2009 DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT HAS DONE THIS EVER SINCE. TODAY IT ACTUALLY ACCELERATED HARDER WILE AT A COMPLETE STOP MAKING ME HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME NO DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10499728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN TRAFFIC AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. AS A RESLUT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY SUFFERED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED REGARDING THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED10/13/11 *BF UPDATED 11/02/11
NHTSA complaint #10418007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP SHE HAD TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AS HARD AS SHE COULD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
NHTSA complaint #10411734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING AIR BAG IS INOPERABLE AT THIS POINT AND THE CAUSE IS A BROKEN CLOCKSPRING IN STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD THAT DODGE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX AT NO CHARGE.
NHTSA complaint #10367198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 49,000. UPDATED 7/26/10 *CN UPDATED 08/03/10
NHTSA complaint #10336799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PLACED IT INTO DRIVE. THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS OF 40 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONSUMER HIT TWO PEDESTRIANS AS WELL AS ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ACCELERATING AND THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. HE CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE OVER A CURB. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE CURB AND THE VEHICLE THEN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE AMBULANCE AND POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. TWO PEDESTRIANS, THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER EIGHT TIMES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE WITH CONCERNS OF HIGHER THAN NORMAL ENGINE RPMS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE EACH TIME AND ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/16/11*LJ UPDATED 11/18/11
NHTSA complaint #10332128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS THE RPM'S RAPIDLY INCREASE AND BRAKING CAPABILITY IS REDUCED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THEY CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,500. UPDATED 6/8/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY START TO RACE JUST OVER 2000 RPM'S. UPDATED 06/11/09.
NHTSA complaint #10269614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DEACTIVATE. HE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE REVVED HIGHLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
NHTSA complaint #10256649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO AIR BAGS AND NO HORN IN HER VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND FUEL GAUGE WERE NOT WORKING. SHE ALSO NOTICED THE IGNITION (WHERE THE KEY IS INSERTED) WAS SMOKING. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. SHE WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY DIAGNOSTIC TEST; THEREFORE, THE BATTERY WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,500.
NHTSA complaint #10229021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN APPEARED TO BE INVALID.
NHTSA complaint #10199273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 12/5/2006 - THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE CONSUMER REPEATEDLY PUMPED THE PEDAL TO GET THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10173377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED FOUR TIMES SINCE PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE REVVED OUT OF CONTROL WHILE STOPPED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/18/2006 - THE IRS TIME THIS HAPPENED THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE WAS VERY BLACK AND THAT THE THROTTLE WAS POSSIBLY STICKING, CAUSING THE IAC MOTOR TO OVERCOMPENSATE.
NHTSA complaint #10169737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10158781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.