Comments: 1-15, 16-26
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.
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.
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.
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.
I own a '96 Stratus and it's the best car I ever drove in my life. Never had any problems,h ave 57000 km (live in Canada) and I think I will buy another Stratus later (the new model).
Just took my 1997 Stratus in for a head gasket problem at 52,000 miles. Bad oil leak, oil in cooling system. Considering all the problems I have read about, it seems there should be a recall on these. Or does anyone have any idea on how to start a class action suit???
Worst car ever. I had to replace the head gasket at 55000 miles.
I now just rolled 97000 miles and I have a really bad transmission leak. I have a strange hissing sound coming out of my air system. My transmission continuously doesn't engage even from idle. It has the shakes in idle. The head gasket leak caused extensive damage to the under carriage, including all motor mounts needing to be replaced.
The driver's side mirror snapped off and the only way to replace it I have found is to get one from the manufacturer, unlike other cars like Honda where you can get after market parts. If someone out there can help me PLEASE contact me. I'm a college student with very little cash and I need to fix this car. CHAOS99666@aol.com.
I have a 96 Stratus and didn't have any problems until around 60,000 miles. Your story caught my eye because I also have a mysterious popping noise that no one can diagnose and 3 new wheel bearings in 3 months. I spent $600 to have the noise fixed, and it is worse than before I took it to the garage.
It was out of the garage for 5 days and it let me sit when it shut off going through a toll booth... what an embarrassment. This problem is also a mystery and no one knows the problem. I have to have it towed to somewhere else.
I will never buy a Dodge again. If you own a Stratus and haven't had problems, they're coming!
I've got a '97 Stratus Base 2.4L with about 48,000 miles and have had all the same problems everyone else here has mentioned: timing belt, head gasket, brakes, and the latest is a transmission rebuild. I also had the mysterious popping noise--although mine was more of a knocking--a couple people mentioned. They couldn't figure it out even though I kept insisting it was coming from the steering column. Finally on the third try they diagnosed it as a broken gear in the steering column. Thankfully the dealer ate the cost because, though it was out of warranty when they finally diagnosed the problem, I had complained about it several times when it was still under warranty. And I only paid a $200 deductible at the dealer for the head gasket because Chrysler recognizes it as a design flaw. For this problem, and against your better judgment, go to the dealer; a mechanic will charge you the $1000-1200 that it normally costs to replace the head gasket. The latest transmission problem--a $2400 endeavor--makes me wonder why I didn't buy a Honda instead though.
I have a 1996 dodge stratus and at 34,000 miles I has to spend out $1900 to repair gaskets, water pump, timing belts, spark plugs and wires. Now my car is at 55,000 miles and my check engine light is on and the dealer is telling me that they don't see anything wrong after performing a diagnostic test. If anyone have any advice on how to help me please email me at siobhan270@aol.com.
I also have the same popping noise. Finally at about 85,000 miles it just stopped. I have replaced the head gasket at 60,000 miles., the vent switch is broken and when I called to find out if they had the part they said that I would need another part too. Because when one goes out so does the other (it is interesting that they new so much about the problem, maybe they have done it many other times).
My 97 Stratus has given me problems since the day I bought it. I hate that car so much. I swear, within the first month of owning it I had it in 4 or 5 times, my head gasket has also gone, and now it's the transmission... never again will I buy a Dodge, and I urge everyone to never ever ever by a Stratus...
I have a 97 Stratus 2.4L with 178,000 miles on it. I have had all of the following replaced during the course of these miles: steering column, head gasket, transmission, evaporator coil, timing belt, 4 pairs of rotors, 2 pairs of drums, left and right front bearings, ball joint (steering), exhaust system, exhaust header (it cracked) and air conditioner compressor.
At around 176,000 miles, the #3 spark plug shot out of the engine and took all the threads with it. Back to the garage I go again.
The "factory" rebuilt transmission that was put in is continuously acting up on hot days. After many, many trips to the dealer to complain about this transmission, the dealer now claims the "transmission computer module" is going bad. I think it is just another bad transmission. Total out of pocket expense for repairs... $6000+
THIS IS, BY FAR, THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT AGAIN!
I have a 96' Dodge Stratus and I have also have to change the head gasket (at 55,000 miles). I have had a problem with my check engine light (It comes on and off) and the mechanics say there is nothing wrong with anything. I have had to change the steering column also, cause the lights switch broke and I had to drive around with my brights on for a week because you can only get that part from a dealership cause they are the only one that can order them. If anyone has a solution for a check engine light always coming on then email me at brian_cool@hotmail.com.
My daughter's 1st car was a 1996 Dodge Stratus... what a disappointment! The knocking sound several owners are experiencing may be the engine mounts. We too thought there was another transmission problem (rebuilt shortly after we bought it) because there was a knock sometimes when you put it in reverse or when it shifted at 40-45 mph. We had it put up on a rack and sure enough, two engine mounts were broken. When they were replaced, the problem was solved.
I have had similar problems with my 96 Status. My head gasket went out while it was still under warranty, and just last week went out again. Good news though, I called the customer care center at Chrysler and they took care of the cost except for a $100 deductible. Now, my water pump is leaking and I have been quoted $400 to $600 to get that repaired, and nobody will touch it except a dealer. Good luck to you all, maybe I'll see you at a Toyota dealer soon.
10/14/02 '96 Dodge Stratus ES what a "NIGHTMARE"
within the first month of owning it I had to replace the front 2 rotors & brake pads. The transmission has gone out twice, the motors to the windows & door locks have been replaced, Air conditioning went out (dealer said it was the unit it self come to find out it was only the plug), motor mounts broke, water pump & timing chain replaced (very expensive) and now I am faced with the check engine light coming on. I have had the plugs, wires, fuel pump replaced and the car still does not run correctly. On a diagnostic check it reads "multiple cylinder misfire" mechanic cannot figure it out! I have also had it in for several manufacturer recalls. A real inconvenience, Will not EVER buy a Dodge again. Steven if you get something out of it count me in!!!If anyone has any idea to this check engine light please email me at ctherock69@hotmail.com.