NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
42 reportsClear category filter74,153 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or Other
I HAD NOTHING BUT MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MY DODGE STRATUS IT'S ONLY A 1997 WITH 86,582. I BOUGHT IT USED WITH 23,000 IN JANUARY OF 1999 FROM A CAR DEALER. I HAVE SPENT $2,335.30 IN REPAIRS IN 2002&2003 IN MAY & JUNE OF 2003 I SPENT $1,678.31 & $656.99 IN JULY 2002 STARTING WITH BRAKES BEING CONTAMIED ,WATER PUMP ,RADIATOR REPLACED,…
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I HAD NOTHING BUT MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MY DODGE STRATUS IT'S ONLY A 1997 WITH 86,582. I BOUGHT IT USED WITH 23,000 IN JANUARY OF 1999 FROM A CAR DEALER. I HAVE SPENT $2,335.30 IN REPAIRS IN 2002&2003 IN MAY & JUNE OF 2003 I SPENT $1,678.31 & $656.99 IN JULY 2002 STARTING WITH BRAKES BEING CONTAMIED ,WATER PUMP ,RADIATOR REPLACED,AND IT'S BEING DRIVEN LOCALLY NEVER BEEN OUT OF THIS STATE. I FEEL THIS IS A LEMON CAR BECAUSE OF THE MAJOR REPAIRS AND THE MILEAGE IS ONLY 74,153 WHEN I STARTED HAVING REPAIRS AND KEEP HAVING MAJOR REPAIRS TOTALLY $2,400 ONLY HAD IT 3 1/2 YRS. I FILED A REPORT WITH THE LEMON LAW IN WASHINGTON STATE.
NHTSA ODI #10070485
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #765271
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
ABS BRAKE SYSTEM BROKE AT ABOUT 13000 MILES. OLYMPIC DODGE SAYS THAT I MUST REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SPINDLES. THAT THEY ARE CRACKED. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER ON 07/10/2002. THEY HAVE ORDERED THE PARTS WHICH COST OVER $300.00. HOW CAN 2 SPINDLES FAIL AT THE SAME TIME. HOW CAN THEY FAIL WITH ONLY 13000 MILES…
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ABS BRAKE SYSTEM BROKE AT ABOUT 13000 MILES. OLYMPIC DODGE SAYS THAT I MUST REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SPINDLES. THAT THEY ARE CRACKED. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER ON 07/10/2002. THEY HAVE ORDERED THE PARTS WHICH COST OVER $300.00. HOW CAN 2 SPINDLES FAIL AT THE SAME TIME. HOW CAN THEY FAIL WITH ONLY 13000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764160
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
LEFT CALIPER BURNED AND FROZE, DIGGING INTO THE ROTOR; RIGHT CALIPER ON THE VERGE OF DOING SO. THE CAR HAD PASSED RIGOROUS EQUIPMENT INSPECTION JUST 3 MONTHS BEFORE WITH NO WARNING OF IMPENDING EQUIPMENT FAILURE. CAR IS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY; DEALER SAID THAT ONLY THE COST OF THE CALIPERS WOULD BE COVERED. HAD CAR REPAIRED…
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LEFT CALIPER BURNED AND FROZE, DIGGING INTO THE ROTOR; RIGHT CALIPER ON THE VERGE OF DOING SO. THE CAR HAD PASSED RIGOROUS EQUIPMENT INSPECTION JUST 3 MONTHS BEFORE WITH NO WARNING OF IMPENDING EQUIPMENT FAILURE. CAR IS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY; DEALER SAID THAT ONLY THE COST OF THE CALIPERS WOULD BE COVERED. HAD CAR REPAIRED AT A LOCAL SHOP THAT GUARANTEES ITS WORK, BOTH PARTS AND LABOR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #759693
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
IF I AM DOING MORE THAN 40 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR DOESN'T STOP COMPLETELY WITHOUT SLIDING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #754223
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, I PUT ON MY CRUISE CONTROL, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED DOWN SO I PUSHED ON MY BRAKE, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO ELIMINATE CRUISE SONTROL IMMEDIATELY. MY CRUISE LIGHT WENT OFF BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. APPLIED BRAKE HARDER, REALIZED THERE WAS NO STOPPING, PULLED OVER TO BREAK DOWN LANE. …
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GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, I PUT ON MY CRUISE CONTROL, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED DOWN SO I PUSHED ON MY BRAKE, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO ELIMINATE CRUISE SONTROL IMMEDIATELY. MY CRUISE LIGHT WENT OFF BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. APPLIED BRAKE HARDER, REALIZED THERE WAS NO STOPPING, PULLED OVER TO BREAK DOWN LANE. APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE, ENDED UP WITH JUST SQEALING TIRES AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HORRIBLY. LET ME JUST NOTE THAT AT THIS TIME I ALSO HAD MY 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. THANK GOD A STATE POLICE PULLED UP BEHIND ME, AT WHICH TIME I HAD THE CAR AT 10MPH BUT WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. MY 10 YEAR OLD CHILD HAD TO JUMP FROM MY CAR TO LET THE OFFICER KNOW WHY I COULDN'T STOP. HE ENDED UP HAVING TO PULL IN FRONT OF ME AND SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT NOTHING TO FINALLY STOP MY CAR AT WHICH POINT HE GOT OUT , CAME TO MY WINDOW AND TOLD ME TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. IN THIS FORM I COULD NOT FILL OUT THE APPROPRIATE VIN, ETC. BECAUSE MY CAR WAS TOWED AND I AM WITH A FRIEND IN MASS. I WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALER AND DODGE COMPANY ON MONDAY. VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND ESPECIALLY FOR MY CHILD. MAINE STATE POLICE WAS OBVIOUSLY INVOLVED. HIS NAME WAS ROGER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #753201
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER STATES BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED ON THREE OCCASSIONS, AND WERE REPLACED BY DEALER.*JB
NHTSA ODI #562186
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER STATES BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED ON THREE OCCASSIONS, AND WERE REPLACED BY DEALER.*JB
NHTSA ODI #561688
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicFire
BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. POSSIBLE DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING OF THE BRAKES OR ENGINE LEAK MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE.
NHTSA ODI #9002428
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
HEAD GASKET - HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO (2) HEAD GASKETS DUE TO LEAKS IN THREE YEARS. FIRST ONE COST A DEDUCTIBLE OF $500 AND THE SECOND ONE WILL COST ME $250, ALTHOUGH I KNOW THAT DODGE HAS ISSUED TECH BULLETINS TO ADDRESS INSTALLATION PROBLEMS. DODGE DID THE GOOD WILL BIT IN BOTH CASES BY SUPPOSEDLY SPLITTING THE COST 50/50.…
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HEAD GASKET - HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO (2) HEAD GASKETS DUE TO LEAKS IN THREE YEARS. FIRST ONE COST A DEDUCTIBLE OF $500 AND THE SECOND ONE WILL COST ME $250, ALTHOUGH I KNOW THAT DODGE HAS ISSUED TECH BULLETINS TO ADDRESS INSTALLATION PROBLEMS. DODGE DID THE GOOD WILL BIT IN BOTH CASES BY SUPPOSEDLY SPLITTING THE COST 50/50. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE THAT CONSUMERS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY SUCH HEFTY FEES FOR INFERIOR/FAULTY DESIGNS. BRAKES - APPARENTLY THE DESIGN OF THE CALIPERS INCLUDES A CYLINDER MADE OF SOME TYPE OF PLASTIC. THIS PLASTIC IS NOT ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE HEAT OF NORMAL BRAKING OPERATIONS AND WILL NOT CONTRACT PROPERLY WHEN COOLED DOWN. BECAUSE OF THIS THE CALIPER STICKS IN AN EXTENDED POSITION WHICH CASUSES THE DISC PAD TO STAY IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR, THUS WEARING DOWN THE PAD PREMATURELY AND CAUSING POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE ROTORS. THIS COST ME $559 THE FIRST TIME AND SINCE THEN I HAVE SIMPLY BEEN CHANGING THE PADS EARLIER THAN NECESSARY TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE ROTOR. ALTHOUGH THIS HAS NOT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, I BELIEVE IT COULD (OR HAS TO OTHERS?) CAUSE AN ACCIDENT/FATALITY ON AN EXTENDED TRIP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #742634
NHTSA investigations
3EA03011 · Auto Trans IGNITION-PARK Interlock
Opened Jul 17, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate
Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.
EA97016 · Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Failure
Opened Sep 29, 1997 · Closed Nov 20, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
BY LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 6, 1997, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THIS AGENCY OF ITS DECISION TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO CORRECT THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THIS EA.THE RECALL WILL ALSO COVER 1996 AND 1997 CHRYSLER CIRRUS/DODGE STRATUS VEHICLES, AS WELL AS 1995 THROUGH 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE AND PLYMOUTH BREEZE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH IDENTICAL LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS.AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 599,00VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL.THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT PROCESS VARIABILITY, TOGETHER WITH THE BALL JOINT HOUSING COVER CRIMPING OPERATION, CAN RESULT IN AN INEFFECTIVE SEAL THAT PERMITS A LOSS OF LUBRICATION AND ACCELERTED WEAR OF THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY.THIS CONDITION CAN LEAD TO FAILURE AND SEPARTION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED AS NHTSA 97V-201 AND A COPY OF CHRYSLER'S LETTER TO NHTSA IS ATTACHED HERETO.
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