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1996 Dodge Stratus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Stratus years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Dodge Stratus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 168.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 39 of 554 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 335 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports36 fire reports19 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

335 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 40,000 MILES, CAUSING LOSS OF OIL.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #856549

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspensionUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH CAR STARTED JERKING, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THEN IT LOCKED UP, AND CONSUMER HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC, MECHANIC SAID CONSUMER NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #856358

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #718395

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

PREMATURE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING RESULTED IN BEING STRANDED ON CAPITOL BELTWAY. REPLACEMENT PERIOD IS 100,000 MILES. ACTUAL FAILURE AT 45000. FAILURE CAUSE REPORTED MECHANICAL WITH TENSIONER BEARINGS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #718371

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #718370

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE SIDES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #856306

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

NOTICED A POOL OF OIL IN THE DRIVEWAY. LEAKING 3 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY TWO DAYS COMING FROM THE BACK SIDE OF THE MOTOR. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A FAULTY PLUG. *AK

NHTSA ODI #856026

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE HAD A MINOR OIL LEAK WHEN SHE PURCHASED VEHICLE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER SEARCHED FOR A PLACE TO TO FIND AN ENGINE. SHE FOUND AN ENGINE, AND IT HAD THE SAME DEFECT, AN OIL LEAK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855919

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALER AFTER IMMEDIATELY FINDING OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I AM FINANCING THIS CAR AND HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY STATED THAT IT IS COVERED, BUT THAT THEY WON'T FIX IT DO TO ME NOT KEEPING OIL IN THE CAR. I HAVE HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE/OIL CHANGES ON THIS CAR AND THIS IS A CROCK OF S---. I HAVE BEE…

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I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALER AFTER IMMEDIATELY FINDING OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I AM FINANCING THIS CAR AND HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY STATED THAT IT IS COVERED, BUT THAT THEY WON'T FIX IT DO TO ME NOT KEEPING OIL IN THE CAR. I HAVE HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE/OIL CHANGES ON THIS CAR AND THIS IS A CROCK OF S---. I HAVE BEEN ON THE WEB AND FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT WITH DODGE NEONS AND STRATUSES. MY MECHANIC HAS EVEN OFFERED TO VOUCH FOR THIS PROBLEM. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR DAMAGES INCURRED BY FAULTY CONSTRUCTION OF THE CAR BY THE CHRYSLER COMPANY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS A *COVERED* PART. I WILL NEVER AGAIN BUY A DODGE CAR. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS/ ROTORS TWICE AND SEEM TO CONTINUOUSLY NEED "BELTS AND TUNE UPS". I AM THOROUGHLY UPSET THAT MY FIRST CAR PURCHASE TURNED OUT TO BE A PIECE OF CRAP AND NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. IF THEY WILL NOT FIX THIS "COVERED" REPAIR, THEY WILL SEE ME IN COURT. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #717992

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHCLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96V00600, THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY, AND THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL IS NOT ADEQUATELY RETAINED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855544

Official recalls

7

04V021000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Jan 13, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

98V183000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Aug 6, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.

97V201000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Nov 13, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.

97V095000 · Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments

Jun 6, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.

96V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

May 3, 1996

THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.

96V074000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

May 2, 1996

CORROSION OF THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE THE SOLENOID VALVES TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF EITHER FRONT WHEEL VALVE STICKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM A STRAIGHT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLATE AND SILICONE GREASE INJECTED INTO THE SOLENOID CAVITY TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.

96V006000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

Jan 11, 1996

IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY AND ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL IS NOT ADEQUATELY RETAINED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INADEQUATE SEALING AND RETENTION OF THE PLUG CAN RESULT IN OIL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXPANSION PLUG AND RETAINING BRACKET OVER THE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA03011 · 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.