1998 Dodge Stratus ES from North America - Comments

My head gasket blew at 60,000 miles. I called Dodge and it seems that this is a common problem for these engines and they had acknowledged they had a faulty head gasket. Would they do anything about it? No. It seems that you have to take the car to the dealer every time you need the oil changed, or if the car has any other problems for them to fix. If you do it yourself you won't get assistance.

Also, the front brakes I have to replace pads and rotors once a year.

Front Tie Rod ends. Replace them before the just snap off and cause you to get in an accident.

The hood is bubbling out. Rust is starting, this is a common problem.

This car goes through tires very quickly also, 80,000 mile tires will last 50,000.

Stay clear of these cars. They are expensive to fix and they always need attention to some sort of problem.

Dodge will not stand behind there junk and warranty any parts. Even if they know it is a faulty part.

It sounds like the problems you have stem from poor driving. With all of the front end problems have you ever had the alignment checked? A missed aligned front end will cause you tires, tie rods, and often your brakes to well... break. My suggestion is to treat your car nicer. Baby it, take it to a movie, buy it chocolates, have you forgotten your anniversary?

I own a 1999 Stratus with a hood that also has bubbling paint over rust. Did you have yours fixed and if so, what was the process?

Thanks,

wingman56@hotmail.com.

I used to own a stratus and had brake problems all the time. I learned how to change my own so it wasn't as expensive as taking it in somewhere. I was not rough on my car as the other person commented on. My car would take about 2 min just to start and waste a lot of gas in the process. The dealership could never figure out this problem, so I drove it around like this for about 4 years. It was always embarrassing to start the car in front of anyone.

I used to own a stratus and had brake problems all the time. I learned how to change my own so it wasn't as expensive as taking it in somewhere. I was not rough on my car as the other person commented on. My car would take about 2 min just to start and waste a lot of gas in the process. The dealership could never figure out this problem, so I drove it around like this for about 4 years. It was always embarrassing to start the car in front of anyone.

Hi. I own a 1998 Stratus 2.5L V6 and I can be a witness to the fact that repairs for my car are sometimes far more than what I intend to pay. But I would have to say, if the repairs are too much then maybe you should lighten up on the car, as a previous commenter suggested. Right now my stratus is at 163K in mileage and I haven't had to make any major repairs. The AC Compressor went out last summer, but that was because I let someone put freon in my car without checking the current levels. My car has been to Atlanta, Georgia from Raleigh, North Carolina and back around five or six times and still runs like a newer car. I would have to disagree with the lemon claim because a car is what you DRIVE it to be.

I have to add that I've had similar brake, tie rod end and alignment problems with my 1998 Stratus. As a matter of fact, I look forward to a 4 wheel alignment 2x's per year. I don't drive my car rough, it's just that the front under spoiler catches on everything and the car sits so low that if you hit the smallest bump, look out, here comes another alignment...

I have also had problems with the a/c & heat control, it only wants to blow on high now, I have replaced the resistor switch 3x's now at $22.20 a piece and the dealership says to replace the blower motor and the resistor at the same time, still having the same problems a few hundred dollars later.

My present problem with this car is that it started jolting violently as I was driving down the road, like it was out of gas. I tried pushing the accelerator to give it more gas, but it just made it jump even more, so I drifted it off the road. I had it towed to the best shop in town and they have had it for 3 days and still can't figure out what the problem is? I had a Ford before this car and it lasted me almost 200,000 miles, as it stands my Dodge only has 90,000, you go figure?