425 of the
3,617 complaints filed about the Dodge Stratus
are about the braking system —
12% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1996.
GOT THIS CAR 2 YEARS AGO AND FROM DAY 1 WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY THE CAR IS ALMOST UNCONTROLABLE THE WHEEL PULLS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BAD SO I HAVE TO PUMP THEM AND THEN IT STILL PULLS AND I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES 4 TIMES TO MAKE SURE IT WASNT THE DISC AND ALSO REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE SHOP TOLD ME THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE CRACKING UP AND SO ITS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE AND I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO BE REPLACING SOMETHING THAT SHOULDNT BE MESSED UP MY CAR HAS LOW MILES IT STARTED MAKIMG CLUNKING NOISES WHEM GOING OVER A BUMP AND ANY TIME CAR IS MOVING IT IS SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FRPM FRONT OF CAR
NHTSA complaint #11363494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I GOT THIS NEXT SITE TO DO AGAIN EMAIL. CLAIM #11301605 AND FOLLOWING UP AS TO YOUR NEXT STEP. 3 RECALLS THE DODGE CUSTOMER CARE PEOPLE DONT WANT TO DO OR HELP ME FIX OR CONCLUDE.
NHTSA complaint #11302472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A CAR IN JAN 2020 WHICH HAS BEEN SITTING A FEW/COUPLE YEARS AND I FOUND 3 RECALLS ON IT. 1999 DODGE STRATUS 2.4. I EMAILED U S CUSTOMER CARE/ DODGE CUSTOMER CARE AND GOT MAIL BACK STATING YES ON 3 RECALLS AND A DEALER IN RENO NV TO CALL. I CALLED AND SERVICE AND PARTS DEPT SAID YES ON RECALLS. BRING IT IN TO CHECK AND ADVISE TO FIX. GOT MUTIL MAILS FROM CUSTOMER CARE STATING THEY HAD CAR UNDER LAST OWNER AND I TOLD THEM I WAS NEW OWNER. NEXT MAIL WAS, CLAIM/S ARE CLOSED. I ASKED WHY NOW 3 TIMES AND NO ANSWER EXCEPT A TAKE SURVEY. NO SERVICE OR REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE ON THIS CAR OTHER THEN TO FIND OUT THERE WAS 3 RECALLS AND NOW CUSTOMER CARE DOESNT WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO FIX THIS CAR. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW ONE DAY THERE IS AND THE NEXT DAY CLAIM CLOSED. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS I AM A NEW OWNER. ONE RECALL IS FOR A FIX POWER STEERING HOSE SO CAR WONT CATCH FIRE. I AM HAVE GOT NOWHERE WITH ALL MY TRIES TO GET CAR RECALLS FIXED. ACCORDING TO WEB SITES THE 3 RECALLS ARE LISTED AS INCOMPLETE STILL TO DATE. MEANING NOT TAKEN CARE OF TO MY UNDERSTANDING.
NHTSA complaint #11301605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR IS PULLING TO RIGHT POPS EVERY TIME YOU MOVE CLICKES IN TURNING EVEN IN THE SLITES TURNING SHOCKS ARE BOTTOMING OUT EVERY TURN CANT GO OVER A SPEED BUMP WITH OUT IT HITTING HARD SCARED TO DRIVE MY KIDS IN IT PLEASE HELP HAPPENDS ALL TIME
NHTSA complaint #11055492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN DUNDEE RD IN ILLINOIS AND IT WAS RAIN/SNOW MIX AND AS I WAS COMING TO AN INTERSECTION THE CAR FAILED TO STOP AND WHEN THE IMPACT HAPPEND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET
NHTSA complaint #11047551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ABS AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM QUIT WORKING I GOT ON THE FREEWAY AND I HAD BREAKS BY THE TIME I GOT THREE OFF RAMPS LATER TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY I HAD NO BRAKES THEY DIDN'T WORK IN THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR CAUSING AND ACCIDENT
NHTSA complaint #10861912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10810431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL RATTLED. WHILE BRAKING, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
NHTSA complaint #10789641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP. I HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING MANY TIMES IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE IN ANY CURVE. I MUST DRIVE IT UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT AT LEAST 5 MILES TO SAFELY KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. I AM TERRIFIED EVERYDAY IN THIS CAR. WHEN USING THE BRAKES THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY AN DOES NOT STOP WELL EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS(BRAKES ARE NEW)
NHTSA complaint #10780229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING RUBBER ODOR AND SHAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HUB, WHEEL, TIRE, AND BRAKE DRUM WERE EXTREMELY HOT. THE CONTACT INDEPENDENTLY CHANGED BOTH REAR BRAKE SHOES, SPRINGS, AND DRUMS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT INDEPENDENTLY DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #10743316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED FROM CAR CHAMPS ON MARCH 27TH STOPPED WORKING MARCH 30TH AND DECIDED TO START RUNNING AGAIN APRIL 4TH THE WHOLE TIME IT WAS OUT OF USE AND BROKEN I CALLED CAR CHAMPS NO ONE RETURNED CALLED OR RESPONDED THE CENTER HAD DATES AND TIMES AND COMPLAINT'S, AS TO SITUATION THE DAY I FINALLY GET IN TOUCH WITH THEM ON MY APPOINTMENT WAS SET FOR THE 9TH HALF WAY THERE TO CAR CHAMPS THE CALL CENTER CALLS ME AND SAS SERVICE MANAGER WHO IS ALSO THE WORKER CANCELED BECAUSE OF AN EMERGENCY, ME STATING THE WHOLE TIME I FEAR FOR MY LIFE IN THIS VEHICLE THEY SOLD ME WHICH I NEEDED A VEHICLE SO BAD FOR MY WORK THAT I TOOK IT HAD BEING TOLD IT WAS THE ONLY ONE I COULD GET I ASKED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AT PURCHASE IS THIS CAR GONNA STOP OR BREAK DOWN ON ME MULTIPLE PEOPLE THAT WORK AT THE LOT SAID NO IT WON'T IT'S GOOD CONDITION, THAT WAS A LIE 30 DAY WARRANTY STILL IN EFFECT I WAS THERE FOR 4 HOURS AND 40 MINUTES TOPS, IT WAS OUTRAGEOUS A NEW CONDITION DISCOVERED AFTER BEING TOLD IT HAD CRACKED BREAK PADS WHICH COULD OF BROKEN COMPLETELY AND THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP I COULD HAVE DIED, AS I'M DRIVING AWAY AFTER THE 5 HOUR DELAY 2 NEW LIGHTS CAME ON INCLUDING THE OIL LIGHT. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED AND RAN THERE PHONE OFF THE HOOK TILL SOMEONE ANSWER I WAS TOLD TO GET MY CAR THERE IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE HAD TO GO.MIND YOU I'VE BEEN CALLING SINCE 9AM THAT MORNING L I RUSHED DOWN THERE FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP GOING 40/45 MILES PER HOUR ON A HIGHWAY, 18 WHEELER SLAMMING BREAKS AND BUMPIN AND TOTALLY FEARING FOR MY LIFE AFTER H A 5 HOUR AND 30 MINUTE WAIT FOR CAR CHAMPS TOW TRUCK TO GET US AND TAKE US TO THERE SERVICE LOT, AS OF TODAY THEY TOWED LONER VEHICLE GIVEN TO ME AFTER I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL 2 DAYS CUZ OF THERE ACCIDENT AND LEMON CAR LEAVING A MESSAGE SAYING WERE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS AND DO A CAR SWITCH OUT THEN REPOSSESSING THERE CAR STILL UNDER 30 DAY WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10715084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS NOW WITH LITTLE PROBLEMS. HAD A FEW OIL CHANGES AND SOME BRAKE WORK DONE TO IT. BUT IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE CHANGED ALL THE CALIPERS IN THIS CAR 2 TO 3 TIMES THE BREAK PADS MANY TIMES THE BALL JOINTS THE ROADERS THE SWING ARM AND THE CLUSTER DASH. THIS WAS A GREAT CAR TILL IT STOPPED GOING OVER 30 WITHOUT A TERRIBLE SHAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10667226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY GIRL FRIEND CAME HOME AND SAID THE CAR WAS SMOKING SO I WENT TO LOOK AT IT AND YES SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FIREWALL SIDE OF THE MOTOR RIGHT ABOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD .I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND A RECALL ON THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP SO I CALLED THE NUMBER GIVEN AND CHRYSLER SET ME UP WITH HADDAD DODGE IN BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIA WE SET AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE DONE , I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THEM AND THEY KEPT IT FOR 4 DAYS I CALLED THEM ABOUT THE CAR AND THEY SAID IT WAS READY I PICKED IT UP LATER THAT AFTERNOON DROVE APPROX 6 MILES HOME IT WAS SMOKING SLIGHTLY BUT NO WHERE NEAR AS BAD AS BEFORE SO I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT , MAYBE JUST RESIDUAL FROM BEFORE THE REPAIR.THE FOLLOWING MORNING I DROVE FROM REAL RD TO FAIR VIEW AVE AND THE CAR WAS SMOKING HEAVILY I STOPPED IN FRONT OF A FRIENDS HOUSE OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A FIRE BURNING ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE ENGINE LUCKILY THERE WAS A GARDEN HOSE HOOKED UP OUT SIDE THE HOUSE , I GRABBED THAT AND PUT THE FIRE OUT . COULD SMELL FUEL HEAVILY PARKED THE CAR AND HAVE NOT MOVED IT SINCE JUST A WEEK AGO ABOUT A MONTH AFTER ALL THIS HADDAD DODGE LEFT ME A MESSAGE SAYING THAT MY PARTS HAD COME IN AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO SET AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE WORK TO BE DONE . ACCORDING TO THEM THEY HAD ALREADY DONE THE WORK NO BODY TOLD ME THAT THE WORK WAS NOT COMPLETE QUITE THE CON-TRARY I WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED AND READY TO GO THE SERVICE ATTENDANT WAS SO BUSY ON HIS PHONE AND CELL PHONE HE HARDLY SPOKE A WORD TO ME I HAD TO FIND THE CAR IN THERE LOT SO I COULD GO HOME , WHY WOULD ANYBODY IN THERE RIGHT MIND LET SOMEONE DRIVE A CAR THAT COULD CATCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10628849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I HAD LOST MY BRAKES, TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THE BRAKES LINE ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BROKE, THIS HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER 2013, AND THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE BROKE AGAIN IN DECEMBER 2013. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR BRAKES, MAYBE NEXT TIME I'LL BE TRAVELING THE INTERSTATE AND REALIZE I HAVE NO BRAKES WHEN I NEED TO APPLY THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10578627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. LOST ALL INSTRUMENTATION: SPEED,FUEL,RPM,ETC,AT 50MPH. JUST PRIOR TO THIS, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THE FIRST FIX INCLUDED A NEW BATTERY LAST YEAR, THREE ALTERNATORS UNTIL ONE WORKED (DO NOT THINK THIS WAS THE PROBLEM), AND SOME KIND OF A HARNESS WHICH WAS RUBBING ON THE ENGINE? AND CREATING A SHORT. THIS PROBLEM COULD BE THE REASON FOR ALL THE CAR FIRES. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10554121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BACKING PLATE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE WHEELS TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE BACKING PLATE, CALIPER, BRACKET, AND PARKING BRAKE SHOES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10508284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE, CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL POLICE OFFICER WHO STATED THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,565.
NHTSA complaint #10472051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10461927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I STARTED THE CAR, PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A LARGE POOL OF FLUID ON THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. MASTER CYLINDER WAS NEAR EMPTY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE FOUND THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES (6?) WERE LEAKING AT THE ABS PUMP. THIS IS THE CAR MY WIFE DRIVES. MY WIFE! I AM ANAL WITH REGARD TO MY VEHICLES CONDITION AND MAINTENANCE. TO HAVE A FAILURE LIKE THIS ON A WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A "QUALITY AMERICAN MADE VEHICLE" IS ABSURD AND TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! MY BROTHERS 1999 HONDA, MY STEP SON'S 1991 NISSAN STANZA (RECENTLY SOLD) A 1993 GEO PRIZM (I.E. TOYOTA COROLLA!!!) RECENTLY SOLD HAD ZERO RUST ON ANY BRAKE FITTING, BRAKE LINE OR FUEL LINE. I HAD NO BRAKE ISSUES PREVIOUSLY.
NHTSA complaint #10441989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.