Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

186 reports

75,000 miles · May 10, 2004

Power Train

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE'S AXLE'S SHAFT BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WHEEL WOULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10073397

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2004

Interior LightingSuspension

LEFT REAR TIRE WAS COCKED OUTWARD. DEALER INSPECTED AND SAID UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE BLOWN OUT ON BOTH SIDES. CAR WAS NEVER IN COLLISION, AND ONLY 44K MILES ON IT. ALSO, INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS USED, CLICKS AROUND CORNERS, SEATS DON'T ALWAYS STAY LOCKED IN PLACE. IT'S STILL UNDER WARRANTY!! I DON'T WA…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10064424

34,000 miles · Mar 17, 2004

Suspension

BEFORE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WAS TILTED INWARD. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BROKE. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A BOLT WAS WELDED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10063353

70,000 miles · Mar 11, 2004

Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED @70,000 MILES COST $1800.00 TO REBUILD. DASH LIGHTS FLICKER CONSTANTLY. RADIO WORKS FOR ANYWHERE FROM 10 MINUTES TO AN HOUR BEFORE IT SHUTS ITSELF OFF. WONT COME BACK ON TILL CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR AT LEAST 12 HOURS, ONLY TO START ALL OVER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10061888

46,000 miles · Feb 24, 2004

Suspension

WHEN TURNING CORNERS A CRUNCHY NOISE WAS HEARD. *AK *SC

NHTSA ODI #10048342

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2004

Engine And Engine Cooling

Read full complaint

SIX MONTHS AGO, WE PURCHASED A USED 2001 DODGE STRATUS WITH A 2.7 ENGINE AND LOVED IT - - - UNTIL THE ENGINE FAILED AT 80,000 MILES! WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A RURAL HIGHWAY IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. WE WERE AN HOUR FROM HOME AND HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO OUR HOMETOWN. HE DODGE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN OUR AREA SEEMED TO KNOW THAT IT WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE BEFORE EVER LOOKING AT IT! (THEY ALSO TRIED TO SAY THAT LACK OF OIL CHANGES CAUSED THE PROBLEM.) AFTER HEARING THAT DODGE NO LONGER OFFERS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE 2.7 ENGINE AND THAT THEY "UPGRADED" THE TIMING CHAIN IN REBUILT ENGINES, WE KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. WE CONTACTED THE DODGE-CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND AFTER BEING TREATED VERY POORLY, WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS ENGINE. IT JUST ISN'T FAIR TO THE UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER THAT DODGE-CHRYSLER ISN'T TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT COST US $3,605. HOWEVER, WE REPLACED THE ENGINE WITH A USED 2001 SEBRING BECAUSE A REBUILT ONE WAS TWICE AS MUCH. WHICH MEANS THE POTENTIAL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM STILL EXISTS!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10058769

22,816 miles · Feb 12, 2004

Engine And Engine Cooling

Read full complaint

ENGINE FAILURE 10/02 @ 22,816 MILES. FOSTER MOTORS (DAIMLER/CHRYSLER DEALER) CLAIMED OWNER NEGLECT. SECOND ENGINE FAILURE 5 MILES FROM DEALERSHIP AFTER USED ENGINE INSTALLED. THIRD ENGINE NOW AT 39K MAY FAIL AS GOSS DODGE SAID THAT THERE MIGHT BE A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. CAR IS NO LONGER ON WARRANTY. BUT THAT DOESN'T MATTER ANYWAYS, BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T COVER IT WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT IN FIRST MONTH OF OWNING CAR. NOT TO MENTION OTHER LITTLE THINGS. THE SERVICE MANAGER EVEN SAID THAT IF WE WERE THINKING OF TRADING IT NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME BEFORE THE HEAD GASKET WENT.

NHTSA ODI #10057095

47,000 miles · Jan 16, 2004

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

Read full complaint

DODGE STRATUS ENGINE DIE OUT DUE TO CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR THAT CAME IN CONTACT W/ A PROTECTIVE SHIELD, WHICH CONSEQUENTLY CAUSED A GROUTED CIRCUIT. THEREBY CAUSING MY ENGINE TO DIE OUT. MY VEHICLE IS A LEASE, AND THE WARRANTY IS UP, AND I NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL INFORMATION. RECALL INFO ON THIS CALL, AND THE PRIOR YEAR ARE NUMEROUS DEADLY ONE. THOSE WHICH CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY, OR DEATH. I WAS ALMOST A STATISTIC TODAY WHEN MY VEHICLE DIED OUT COMPLETELY IN AN EXIT RAMP OFF THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE HELP ME FIND OUT HOW RESPONSIBLE THE DEALERSHIP IS BECAUSE I NEVER RECEIVED ANY!!!! RECALL LETTERS. I RECEIVED THEIR BILL, BUT YET NO RECALL INFO. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD. I HAVE PRIOR TO THIS VEHICLE PURCHASED THREE OTHER VEHICLES FROM YONKERS AVENUE DODGE, AND HAVE TRADED THEM IN FOR NEW ONES, BUT THEY TOO HAD PROBLEMS, AND THE DEALER NEVER GAVE ME ANY BREAKS IN PRICE. THEY JUST SAW A FEMALE WALK IN, AND READ THE "SUCKER" SIGN ON MY FOREHEAD. ANYHOW MY CAR IS NOW STUCK IN A SHELL GAS STATION, WHICH WAS CONSEQUENTLY OFF THE RAMP I WAS STUCK ON. I WAS PUSHED THERE TO GET ME OUT OF HARMS WAY. I WILL NOT ALLOW THIS DEALER TO CONTINUE TO STICK PEOPLE, OR CHRYSLER TO STICK PEOPLE WITH THE BILL TO A CAR THAT DIES OUT BEFORE THE LEASE IS UP!! IF YOU CAN HELP PLEASE EMAIL ME. AS WELL AS LET OTHER DODGE STRATUS SE OWNERS KNOW THAT THE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THESE CARS SUFFER FROM BEFORE THESE OWNERS GET KILLED, OR KILL OTHERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. RESPECTFULLY, [XXX]. *CB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10054244

32,006 miles · Jan 15, 2004

Engine And Engine Cooling

SEVERE ENGINE KNOCK. EXCEDED DODGE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGES ,HAVE RECIETS FOR OIL CHANGES. YET DODGE DEALER DENIES WARRANTY DO TO NGINE OIL SLUDGE BUILD-UP.

NHTSA ODI #10068819

88,000 miles · Jan 9, 2004

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE STALLED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10053729

Official recalls

16V401000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 3, 2016

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part. The incorrect part may not prevent the passenger side sun visor from detaching if the passenger frontal air bag deploys and the passenger side sun visor is folded down in a certain position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners will be sent a second email when parts are available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

15V338000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 2, 2015

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.

01V011002 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

Jan 16, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A HOSE MANUFACTURING PROCESS ALLOWED THE REINFORCEMENT YARD TO BREACH THE INNER LAYER OF SOME AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HOSES WEAKENING THE INNER WALL WHICH COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE COOLER HOSES CAN CAUSE TRANSAXLE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS AND SMOKE IF THE OIL CONTACTS THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER HOSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

01V005002 · Seats

Jan 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUMBER OF INCORRECT DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE INSTALLED INTO VEHICLES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE BOLTS MAY NOT PROPERLY SECURE THE SEAT AND COULD CAUSE INCREASED INJURY TO THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND THEN REPLACE THE BOLTS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 5, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V366000 · Child Seat

Nov 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.

00V320002 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Oct 27, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OUTER LAYER ONLY OF THIS 3-LAYER FUEL RETURN HOSE DOES NOT CONTAIN THE DESIRED OZONE PROTECTION DUE TO A PROCESSING ERROR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS HOSE IS CONSIDERED TO BE INADEQUATE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

00V306000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 12, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. PASSENGER AIR BAGS WERE BUILT WITH SUSPECT ALUMINUM EXTRUSION SECTIONS WHICH MAY NOT RETAIN THE AIR BAG DOOR DURING AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT EVENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A SEPARATED AIR BAG DOOR COULD INJURE A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG.

00V299002 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Oct 2, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HARNESS FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH A NEW PROTECTIVE SHIELD CAUSING A GROUNDED CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PROLONGED WIRING HARNESS CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SHIELD WILL CAUSE THE WIRING INSULATION TO WEAR AND EVENTUALLY TO GROUND OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO DIE-OUT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HARNESS.

00V278000 · Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields

Sep 18, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THROUGH DEGRADATION OF THE BOND BETWEEN THE SILENCER PAD AND A SHEET METAL PANEL (QUARTER INNER UPPER), THE PAD MAY FALL ONTO THE MAP LIGHT LOCATED IN THE REAR SEATING AREA NEAR THE C-PILLAR TRIM PANEL (LH AND RH). THIS CONTACT COULD CAUSE THE PAD TO MELT, CREATING A HOT SMELL AND/OR SMOKE DURING LONG PERIODS OF ILLUMINATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SMOKE INHALATION COULD BE HARMFUL TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSULATION PAD FROM BEHIND BOTH REAR MAP LIGHTS.

00V225002 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)

Aug 10, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, RESULTING IN SYMPTOMS RANGING FROM STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION TO STIFF STEERING, AND IN THE WORST CASE, NO ABILITY TO TURN LEFT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY IF A LOOSE NUT CONNECTION IS FOUND.

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

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.