Brakes failed on my sons '96 dodge stratus. He went over approximately a 20 foot embankment and landed in a creek. Luckily he only received minor injuries. I searched the web and found your site on recalls and the master cylinder for the brakes were recalled for this particular vehicle, however, his VIN # wasn't included in the recall. It cost about $600.00 to replace this.
1996 Dodge Stratus: brake failure
15 of the 553 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Stratus describe brake failure.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
Brake failure by model year
What owners say
During the end of summer my car engine repeatedly shut off while driving at normal speeds (usually @20 - 40mph). I brought my car to the dealer because my car repeatedly shuts off when I turn corners or driving at low speeds of 30 or less it will just shut off in the middle of traffic. I have my 3 children in the car with me most of the time and we have faced many close accidents! Once the car's RPM shuts down the car shuts off no matter where I am. When I drive 50mph or more my car jerks. My car also accelerates while drive 40mph or less on its own in several instances I almost hit cars in front of me during red lights. My ABS light stays on all the time. I brought it to the dealer and they told me they didn't know why it was on and that it would cost $70.00 an hour for a computerized checkup which I can not afford. Another time I brought my car to the dealer for the engine shutoff problem they told me they couldn't find the problem and assumed the throttle bottle was the cause. Westminister dodge cleaned the throttle bottle and my car still continues to shutoff since summer of 2001. My air brake failed me in 9/2001, I ended up unable to stop my car from knocking off a wheel cover of a mitsubishi 4 door. My car shutoff when I tried to stop the car to avoid hitting the mitsubishi and my front end of my car (license plate nose) took off her wheelcover in which I offered to replace for $40.00. I am very afraid of what will happen next since the dealer can't find the problem. My newest problem as of 1/14/2002 is my steering wheel columm. I don't feel like I have full control of my car it kind of rides all over the rode. I don't know how much longer it will be before I get in a major accident because of unfixable car failure! I can't afford another car or trade in.
Brake failure caused rear end accident.
I have taken my vehicle in for the head gasket to be replaced 4 times now. I am taking it in again for the 5th time for the same problem. All the dealer keeps doing is putting another head gasket on and charging me my $50 deductable. This is getting very tiring. My brakes went out completely in 1997 after the factory re-call had been preformed. I was informed that the mechanic had put the seal in wrong. The last time I took my vehicle in for the head gasket, number 4, the dealer found that the cv boot needed replaced. Durring the repair the axel just fell apart. Same time the transmission pump needed replaced the fuel sending unit needed replaced and the head gasket was replaced. And it still leaks from the same spot the rear left of the engine.
When appyling the ABS brakes pedal goes to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. Cause unknown. Please give any further details.
Accident occurred due to failure of the brakes. While driving northbound on knights road in bensalem, a car (2 cars ahead of me)slammed on their brakes to make a left hand turn. The mini-van that was directly in front of me also stopped suddenly. As I approached, I slowed down to a stop. The mini-van started to proceed around the vehicle. I then took my foot off the brake to also go around the vehicle, however the mini-van stopped suddenly again. At this point I placed my foot on the brake pedal and it went to the floor. My car rolled into the mini-van. My insurance paid out approximatly $1500.00 in damage to fix their bumper. I am now however going through a lawsuit for bodily damage. After the accident occurred I contacted chrysler. They sent an inspector out to check my brakes at the dealership. The result was they found nothing wrong with my brakes and that I need to learn how to drive a car with anti-lock brakes. This infuriated me for it is not the first car I have had with anti-lock brakes and I never had a problem before with any other car. This accident was not the first time that the brakes failed on this car. Several incidents occurred previous where I would turn into a driveway or parking lot and suddenly loose my brakes for a few minutes. After I took my car to the dealership for the inspection, I haven't had any further problems with the brakes. I was never informed whether any adjustments were made to fix the problem or if it is just a coincedance. Since I've had this car there has been at least 4 recalls on various things. I lease the vehicle and when I contacted the dealership because I didn't feel safe driving it, there was nothing that I could do except ot buy out the lease which I couldn't afford.
There was a shudder type sound and the transmission locked up, the car lost power, brakes did not work properly and lights came on the dashboard. The car locked in drive and could not be put into any other gear. The driver had to put the emergency brake on. Eventually the vehicle was forced into gear.
When brakes are applied the pedal goes to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance. The dealer has replaced several parts of the braking system.
Abs brakes; when applying the brakes in normal conditions, the pedal goes to the floor and the brakes fail to stop the vehicle. Please provide further details.
Master cylinder failed, causing complete brake failure.
Rear brakes failed.
Antilock brakes failed 4 times.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- The brake master cylinder can leak brake fluid due to a damaged double lip rear piston seal.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 96V075000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Corrosion of the ABS hydraulic control unit can cause the solenoid valves to stick in the open position.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 96V074000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1996 Dodge Stratus brake failure
Is brake failure a common problem on the 1996 Dodge Stratus?
15 of 553 owner complaints about the 1996 Dodge Stratus (3%) mention brake failure. The model year with the most reports is 1995.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Dodge Stratus?
There are 2 recalls and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 Dodge Stratus
Fire or smoke 29Ball joint 26Stalling 14Oil consumption 12No deployment 8Engine failure 8Jerking 8Loss of power 8ABS 7Check engine light 7Knocking 7Overheating 7Headlights 6Power steering loss 6Fuel gauge 5
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