NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
349 reports72,000 miles · Jan 20, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET FAILED AT APPROX. 72,000 MILES. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN DODGE STRATUS AND DODGE NEON BASED ON ALL THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET. I WOULD LIKE DODGE/CHRYSLER TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM, AS I WAS TOLD THEY ARE AWARE A PROBLEM EXISTS AND HAVE SINCE CHANGE THE STYLE OF GA…
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HEAD GASKET FAILED AT APPROX. 72,000 MILES. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN DODGE STRATUS AND DODGE NEON BASED ON ALL THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET. I WOULD LIKE DODGE/CHRYSLER TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM, AS I WAS TOLD THEY ARE AWARE A PROBLEM EXISTS AND HAVE SINCE CHANGE THE STYLE OF GASKET USED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10054538
100,000 miles · Jan 16, 2004
Air BagsCrashFireInjury
THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN IT WAS STRUCK BROADSIDE. THE VEHICLE RAN INTO SOME TREES AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CONSUMER TRIED TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION. A FIRE STARTED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AREA. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10048614
74,153 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or Other
I HAD NOTHING BUT MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MY DODGE STRATUS IT'S ONLY A 1997 WITH 86,582. I BOUGHT IT USED WITH 23,000 IN JANUARY OF 1999 FROM A CAR DEALER. I HAVE SPENT $2,335.30 IN REPAIRS IN 2002&2003 IN MAY & JUNE OF 2003 I SPENT $1,678.31 & $656.99 IN JULY 2002 STARTING WITH BRAKES BEING CONTAMIED ,WATER PUMP ,RADIATOR REPLACED,…
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I HAD NOTHING BUT MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MY DODGE STRATUS IT'S ONLY A 1997 WITH 86,582. I BOUGHT IT USED WITH 23,000 IN JANUARY OF 1999 FROM A CAR DEALER. I HAVE SPENT $2,335.30 IN REPAIRS IN 2002&2003 IN MAY & JUNE OF 2003 I SPENT $1,678.31 & $656.99 IN JULY 2002 STARTING WITH BRAKES BEING CONTAMIED ,WATER PUMP ,RADIATOR REPLACED,AND IT'S BEING DRIVEN LOCALLY NEVER BEEN OUT OF THIS STATE. I FEEL THIS IS A LEMON CAR BECAUSE OF THE MAJOR REPAIRS AND THE MILEAGE IS ONLY 74,153 WHEN I STARTED HAVING REPAIRS AND KEEP HAVING MAJOR REPAIRS TOTALLY $2,400 ONLY HAD IT 3 1/2 YRS. I FILED A REPORT WITH THE LEMON LAW IN WASHINGTON STATE.
NHTSA ODI #10070485
100,000 miles · Jan 8, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WAS USING AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF OIL, AND WAS LOSING PRESSURE IN THE MOTOR. A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. CONSUMER REPLACED THE MOTOR ONCE ,AND THE HEAD GASKETS ONCE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10053659
50,000 miles · Dec 22, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringVisibility
1997 DODGE STRATUS 2.0 SOHC MOTOR, BLOWN HEAD GASKET, BROKEN POWER STEERING PUMP, EGR VALVE STOPPED WORKING, LEAKS ALOT OF OIL OUT OF CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, HEATER CORE RUPTURED, HEATER HOSE RUPTURED ALSO, OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT STOPPED WORKING . *AK
NHTSA ODI #10050905
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2003
Suspension
WHEN TURNING THE TIRES MAKE A NOISE DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE UPPER BALL JOINTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10051852
123,960 miles · Nov 25, 2003
Suspension
THE DEALERSHIP IS PROVIDING INCORRECT INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM 97 V 201 000. THE DEALERSHIP IS INDICATING THAT IF THEY REPAIR THE CONTROL ARM AS STATED IN THE RECALL, IT WILL CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE SWAY BAR. THERE ALSO SOME DISCREPANCY ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE VIN IS PART WITHIN THE REMEDY SCOPE. *P…
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THE DEALERSHIP IS PROVIDING INCORRECT INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM 97 V 201 000. THE DEALERSHIP IS INDICATING THAT IF THEY REPAIR THE CONTROL ARM AS STATED IN THE RECALL, IT WILL CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE SWAY BAR. THERE ALSO SOME DISCREPANCY ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE VIN IS PART WITHIN THE REMEDY SCOPE. *PH THE VEHICLE'S BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10039832
70,000 miles · Oct 8, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET BLEW AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ABOUT AROUND 70,000 MILES. NOW THE CAR IS OVERHEATING AGAIN AND THERE APPEARS TO BE OIL IN THE COOLANT, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAVE RESURFACED AGAIN. GIVEN THE TREMENDOUS NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS LOGGED BY CONSUMERS ON THIS WEBSITE AND OTHERS, THE COMPANY SHOULD …
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HEAD GASKET BLEW AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ABOUT AROUND 70,000 MILES. NOW THE CAR IS OVERHEATING AGAIN AND THERE APPEARS TO BE OIL IN THE COOLANT, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAVE RESURFACED AGAIN. GIVEN THE TREMENDOUS NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS LOGGED BY CONSUMERS ON THIS WEBSITE AND OTHERS, THE COMPANY SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041449
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2003
Steering
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT RIGHT TIE ROD SNAPPED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ALL THAT DAY. IT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE UNTIL LATER ON. CONSUMER'S HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO BACK UP BUT DIDN'T HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE FRONT END. VEHICLE WAS TOWED FOR REPAIRS THE FOLLOWING MORNING. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10029390
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, UNDER NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS, A BULL WONDERED ONTO THE ROAD AND WAS HIT. UPON IMPACT WITH THE BULL FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES BASED ON DOCTOR'S EVALUATIONS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10034237
NHTSA investigations
3EA03011 · 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.
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