1996 Dodge Stratus ES 2.4L DOHC

Summary:

The worst automobile ever created!

Faults:

Transmission dropped 13 days after purchase.

Head gasket blew... twice! Once at 58000, once at 77000. Second time after only 18 months.

Air conditioner went at 45000.

Starter at 74000.

Tire rods at 65000.

Piston misfiring at 76000.

Computer chip malfunction... twice!

Digital display on radio went at 30000.

General Comments:

This car has been a piece of junk! And Dodge has done nothing to assist me! It has been a total lemon and I will now seek legal advice! Never, EVER buy a Dodge! The car is awful and the service departments are worse! Please, do not buy Dodge.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th March, 2001

19th Mar 2001, 13:16

Man that's terrible. It sounds like you just got the lemon from hell! It doesn't make sense though, considering all the reviews I read they're great cars. I can't believe that all of those things went wrong and you didn't sell it or trade it in. I also don't get why the dealer or Dodge won't help you. Maybe you're just way too hard on cars. I just got my Stratus and so far I love it!

1996 Dodge Stratus ES 2.5L V6 DOHC

Summary:

A lot of car for the money

Faults:

Low fuel light would not turn off.

General Comments:

Car has a lot of features for the money that I spent for it.

I heard about trouble with the 4 cylinder model and the head gasket so I bought the V6 model.

It has good power and handles great.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th February, 2001

1996 Dodge Stratus ES 2.4 L DOHC

Summary:

Good car for the price

Faults:

Nothing. We never had any problems with the head gaskets. Hope not!

General Comments:

A very good car.

Reliable.

Handles great.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th January, 2001

1996 Dodge Stratus SE

Summary:

Stay away from this car

Faults:

Head gasket - twice. First time just before the warranty expired, now again (not even 2 years later, same problem),

Needed a rebuilt transmission at 3 years, 48,000 miles.

Emission control module.

A sensor.

Anti-freeze coolant holder has a leak.

General Comments:

Will never buy another Dodge/Chrysler product and I love their designs.

This car has cost me a fortune in repairs, rentals, and lost time from work.

Minor repairs can be expected, two major engine repairs and a transmission re-build under 70,000 miles. It's junk and they know it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th January, 2001

10th Mar 2001, 11:37

My 1996 Dodge Stratus SE also sucks!!! We have had virtually identical problems! 13 days after I bought it, the transmission dropped. The head gasket has gone twice at 77,000 miles. The second one needed to be replaced only 18 months later!

The radio died, a cylinder was misfiring, the starter went, the AC died, and a rear brake light always burns out! I have had nothing but problems and Dodge has showed me nothing. I'm going to contact a lawyer. Have you tried this route? Thanks for the vent session!

1996 Dodge Stratus 2.4 DOHC

Summary:

The best car I ever owned!!

Faults:

The only problem I had was the steering wheel column

General Comments:

I love my Stratus.

Chrysler service sucks. My friend owned a 1995 Plymouth Breeze and he needed to replace the head gasket and Chrysler did not paid 850$ for the gaskets.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th January, 2001

1996 Dodge Stratus SE 4 cylinder

Summary:

Reliable car for a reasonable price

Faults:

There is a hole in the muffler, but we are at fault for that. Other than that, it's running well.

General Comments:

We were rear ended back in September, but there was no visible damage except for a few paint scratches. Very well made!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th December, 2000

1996 Dodge Stratus 2.4 DOHC

Summary:

I am pretty disappointed. I usually love Dodge

Faults:

Head gasket went out at 60,000.

Car has had a continuous popping sound that nobody can diagnose (since I got it).

Other minor, but nuisance problems all the time after about 50,000 miles.

General Comments:

I like the car as far as comfort goes and design, but after that 50,000 I had so many problems with it, I would just not recommend this car to anyone.

I also had a horror of a time dealing with the dealer mechanics in trying to get things fixed. I must have taken it in 3 times for all of the part recalls.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 22nd August, 2000

14th Jan 2001, 09:50

Head gasket is out on my '96 Stratus after being babied at 93,00 miles... personally feel this was way to soon and wish I had spent the extra money on a Toyota or a Honda.

16th Jan 2001, 16:57

96 Stratus, 72,000 miles and they tell me the head gasket is out. It seems to me it could be a manufacturer problem. All the experts tell me it's a bit too soon for that to go out. I know someone else who has same type of problem.

Also have a transmission leak. Maybe this was not a great buy.