1997 Dodge Stratus Base from North America - Comments

Had constant brake problems (i.e. warped rotors, bad discs, master cylinder popping, bad shoes) shortly after purchase (bought used, no warranty mind you). water pump went at 100,000.$600.00 to fix.

Other than the problems listed above, this car has been a real gem! It has ALWAYS started in the winter, never left me stranded (when the water pump blew, I was still able to drive it nearly 40 miles to the nearest dealership),and is still pretty good on gas. I have heard and read about other stratus owners having a variety of problems with the 95-2000 models. I have not had to replace my timing belt, head gaskets, there is no rust anywhere and the air conditioner will make you feel like you are in the Arctic in July. All the other equipmemt is original. When I hear of other stratus owners having trouble I think it is mainly one of two basic problems: 1.Desultory or neglectful maintenance or 2.Simply bad or destructive driving habits. However, I do believe Dodge could increase their customer service greatly. Follow up and return service is the one thing that creates customer satisfaction and loyalty, not just the initial sales experience. My 97 will be paid off in a couple of months and I intend to drive it until it dies and when it does I am going to get another probably a 2003-2005. As far as creature comforts, the car is just the right size for me and the ride is great. The only gripes I would have with the car is that it could have a little more get up and go (the same size engine in a neon is worlds faster) and it does not have the best turning radius. I have since become VERY adept at parallel parking!

I agree with the turning radius comment, the car is pretty wide though. Sometimes I think my husbands F350 has a better turning radius... then again I hope it's not my driving skills LOL.

Turning radius is pretty bad, I agree. My water pump just went out today and I will have that and the timing belt replaced hopefully this weekend. I also had to have the brakes completely re-done. Other than that, no problems. I bout it new in 1997. It has about 115,000 miles on it and I beat the crap the crap out of it almost every day. It doesn't ride like it did when I first bought it, but then again, I can't run as fast as I did back then either!

Overall, it has been a pretty good reliable car.

My 1997 stratus was doing great until I made the last payment in September, now it's a different car it seems. I have had to change the plugs and wires more than 3 times, the egr valve went, the coil pack went all very expensive parts. And the car still isn't running. It idles erractically, it stalls at red lights, engine cuts off when it feels like it. I have had it to the mechanic and he can't find the problem, named around 7-8 sensors that "could" be the problem all running around the $75-100 range. I can't just start replacing sensors not knowing if it will fix it. Oh the paint has started developing tiny bubbles that are beginning to pill. In response to the first poster I have taken extremely good care of this car. Oil change every 3 months, air filters changed regularly, tires rotated regularly. Transmission fluid changed on schedule. I just wish I knew what was wrong with it now, I guess I am just going to get another car. It probably will not be a Dodge. Parts are expensive, and the engine is very tight to work on. Oh I forgot to mention the brakes. No matter what kind we put on, ceramic etc. they start squeaking within days.

You put ceramic brakes on a Dodge? What did that set you back, $5,000?

If you've had to change the plugs and wires three times since last Fall, you're addressing the wrong problem. You need to be looking somewhere else for the real problem, that is causing the plugs to foul. It sounds like your mechanic is just taking you for a ride replacing everything, so I don't think you can blame that on the car. A strategy of just replacing the plugs and wires over and over, and wanting to just start replacing sensors at random doesn't sound like somebody who knows what they're doing. The stalling, erratic idling, poor running, to me sounds like clogged fuel injectors. The other stuff that you mentioned, I just don't really see the purpose of having replaced all that, and obviously it didn't help the problem.

I don't think you need to expend so much effort on trying to keep your brakes from squeaking. That doesn't indicate a problem (unless they are actually squealing loudly from the metal wear tab, which doesn't apply if you just replaced them a few days ago). That minor squeaking is probably just from brake dust. You can buy a can of "Brake Quiet" to spray on your rotors, and it will keep the dust down so the brakes don't squeak. There's no point in replacing brake pads that aren't worn down.