Dt: while the consumer was driving heard a knocking noise. She took vehicle to a mechanic, they told her that the lower ball joint was broken. No repairs were done made as of yet. The vehicle is not safe to drive.
1995 Dodge Stratus suspension problems
25 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car).
- owner complaints
- 25
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Front: control arm: lower ball joint8
- Front: control arm: lower arm4
- Front4
- Rear3
- Front: control arm3
- Front: wheel bearing2
- Rear: shock absorber1
- Front: springs: torsion bar1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Dodge Stratus suspension problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1995 Dodge Stratus suspension
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 97V201000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Lower control arm ball joint failure
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 the federal safety agency 97v‑201 and a copy of chrysler's letter to the federal safety agency is attached hereto.
EA97016
Lower control arm ball joint failure
The manufacturer identifed vehicle owner complaints of the subject ball joint failures as tabulated above.in addition, a total of 72 warranty reports were identified for replacement of broken or cracked ball joint assemblies in the subject vehicles.chrysler also reported that 1996 and 1997 models are equipped with identical ball joint assemblies as the subject 1995 model year vehicles.a partial response to the federal safety agency's information request indicated that the manufacturer's analyses and evaluations of the condition were continuing.in order to continue the federal safety agency's complete assessment of the nature and scope of this matter, this investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis.
PE97009
What 1995 Dodge Stratus owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Numerous failures-since I bought this "95 dodge stratus with only 30,000 miles. 1) engine making a knocking noise-I took car to the dodge dealership-buchanan & young in burnsville, nc and had a new head gasket put on. 2) I replaced the battery because the car wouldn't start. I also replaced the battery cables, so the car would start, but this did not solve the problem. I replaced the starter to try to get the car to start. I still often have to get out and peck on the starter with a screwdriver to get it to start---even after I had a new starter put on. Date: 8-10-05 3) wheel broke off/car not drivable-parts to fix problem & mechanic's bill 4) had to replace flywheel 5) had to replace steering components I have spent approximately $2,000 to get this car with very low miles on it to start.
Consumer states that the correct struts for vehicle are no longer available. Consumer states over time the front end may fall. *ak the consumer stated that the struts available were unsatisfactory since it is known to causes unnecessary wear to front end parts resulting in misalignment of the vehicle.
I cannot get the proper front struts the ones dodge sells are unsafe to put on. My mechanic and a certified dodge mechanic said that if I put these on it would not be possible to keep the car lined upand it could cause improper tire wear or not put pressure in the wrong places in the front end possibly causing an unsafe condition.I was told that 95 stratus and sebrings are the only ones with this problem. They must have run out of the original struts so they put apaper in the strut box saying to turn the rubber spring isolater around.if you do this everythig is angeled wrong and the rubber only half sits on the spring. This is rediculous.you could never keep the car lined up. My mechanic said there is no way he would be resosible putting them on. If dodge wants to sign a paper saying they will be resonsible for any accidents or be resonsible for front end misaligment or parts failure then I will put them on. I should not be forced into putting an unsafe part on my car.dodge changed everythig on the front end in 96 and they must have finally run out of the proper struts so instead of tooling up and making more of the rite ones they are trying to get away wwith this. If you have any mechanic look at this he will tell you how wrong it is. It makes me wonder how my 95 dodge stratus and sebrings out out on the road running this unsafe and possibly hazadous parts. This should be investigated asap.because this is so wrong. This car has a recall for tyhe front end already. This should become another recall so they can make sure these model cars have the safe and proper struts on the front.if you have someone try to put these struts on they would tell you how wrong it is. All I want is the safe parts for my car.
The vehicle has experienced computer problems which have caused the vehicle to stop while being driven. Nlm
Front left lower ball joint started making noise, the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer request repair under recall 97v‑201, the dealer refused no-cost repair stating that the ball joint passed all their test so they did not have to replace it under recall, consumer request reimbursement. Nlm
The front end started to squeak going over bumps as the suspension moved. The car was taken into a private mechanic who told me the right ball joint/lower control arm was failing and there was a recall for this problem, recall #750. I was referred to daimerchrysler's toll free number. I called them on 02-17-2000 and 02-18-2000. Both times their representitive told me my car didn't fall under the recall because the VIN number didn't match the numbers in the recall. I told them normal wear and tear doesn't cause ball joint problems until well into the 100,000 mile range. I also told them of the cars low mileage and they still refused to repair. Daimerchrysler's file number is 6833820. This problem is a safety hazard, the year, make, model of my car falls under the recall and chrysler refuses to fix this problem.
Left front lower ball joint was replaced under the recall once. Problem reoccurred. Dealer has been contacted, and verified this problem as the same thing.
We brought the car back to dealer several times with no satisfaction. When we finally realized what the problem was the warrantee was over. I will never ever buy a car from saturn again, new or used.
Dealer did not correct recall problem which has reoccurred. The lower control arm broke, causing tire to separate from the vehicle. Recall number 97v201000. Please give any further details.
Questions about the 1995 Dodge Stratus suspension
Does the 1995 Dodge Stratus have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 25 complaints about the suspension of the 1995 Dodge Stratus, 8% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1995 Dodge Stratus suspension problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1995 Dodge Stratus suspension?
Yes, 1 recall: 97V201000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Dodge Stratus have bad suspension?
The Dodge Stratus model years with the most suspension complaints are 2001 (41 complaints), 2004 (38 complaints) and 1996 (32 complaints).
Other 1995 Dodge Stratus problems
Engine 107Brakes 62Transmission 56Electrical 41Steering 24Airbags 18Visibility 17Fuel system 12Acceleration 11Body 9Seats 6Seat belts 5Lights 4Tires 3Locks 1Wheels 1
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