1996 Dodge Stratus: check engine light

Filed Nov 3, 2003 · Brakes, Engine · 80,000 miles · IL

Head gasket oil leak, tie rods bad, tires replaced, brakes going bad, engine light on.

Filed Aug 27, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 11,565 miles · KS

Three head gasket was replaced three times. *mr the consumer had experienced problems with the vehicle after one year of purchase. The consumer had been without the vehicle every other month. The vehicle had a perpetual oil leak and since the vehicle was no longer under warranty, she had to seek help from an independent mechanic. The vehicle had so much oil leaking out, the consumer placed oil in the vehicle instead of gas. Chrysler would not do anything. The vehicle had started to leak transmission fluid, also the front seal began to leak as well, the check engine light had come on, then the vehicle started missing out, sputtered, and the starter was intermittent due to a short. The consumer had requested a refund of repairs. Other repairs were as followed: the air compressor on the air conditioner, starter, replacement of the head gasket three times, once at 11565k miles and second at 20495k miles and again at 69000k miles. *scc

Filed Oct 2, 2000 · Engine · NJ · fire

The car caught fire while parked. The temperature gauge never went up, nor did the check engine light come on. My mechanic said that there was an oil leak in the engine. It was supposed to go to the shop on monday, september 25 to have the engine looked at. The car caught fire the saturday before.

Filed Aug 9, 2000 · Engine · OK

We were driving on I-69 in tulsa, ok on september 5, 1999, travelling about 75 MPH in the left lane of traffic when the car suddenly and without warning downshifted into second gear. Fortunately, the traffic was light on the highway and we were able to get off without incident. At that time, we had no idea what it had done and were perplexed - was it the transmission? Tire blow out? The car continued to run however but would not let us shift out of second gear. We read our owner's manual and learned that what happened was a "safety feature" when the computer detects something wrong, the car will automatically "downshift" so no additional damage, etc. Will be caused! We also noted to shut off the car and restart it and it would re-set but hte check engine light would stay on. We took it first to the dealership the next business day (tuesday) and they started mumbling about the transmission needing replaced without even a diagnostic check! We then took it to tuneup masters who did a check and found no codes, nothing wrong. Another year has passed and my check engine light came on again but not while travelling at high speed. A code was noted this time for the transmission. I am getting rid of this car. Bad things are getting ready to happen and I can't afford it. My concern, however, is this "safety feature" of downshifting at high speeds. I will not sell it privately as I am concerned a family will buy it and something awful may happen. I know, "buyer beware" but it seems dangerous to me. I just wondered if anyone else has encountered this problem with the computer and/or engine? I have kept up on my oil changes, etc., new brakes, new tires, but it just seems to do this randomly and without warning and then the car runs fine after it is re-set. Thank you for your attention to this report.

Filed Apr 15, 2000 · Engine · NV

While driving at 55 MPH through lassen county park in california, the head gasket blew internally and I lost all power, ultimately the vehicle seized. The check engine light failed to give me any notice that there was a problem with the vehicle, my first notice was the vechile actually losing all power. During the initial seize up, a full size chevy pick up was behind me and quickly came up on me as I quickly lost power and slowed down. I attempted to pull the vehicle to the side of the road and the chevy was inches from hitting my left rear quarter panel. (at this moment I was terrified, I've never had this type of vehicle problem!). After I had the vehicle towed to a mechanic shop, I was told that due to the head gasket blowing interally it caused the rodbearings to spin. I ultimately had to have the rods, rodbearings, headgasket, oil filter, oil pan pickup, timing belts, injection seals, oil pan, air filter, pcv valve, thermostate, egr valve gasket, egr tube, cv shaft, sparkplugs, fuel filter replaced for a total of $925.38. I also had to have machine work done on the bottom end of motor for a total of $1,000. A grand total of almost $2,000!

Filed Jul 30, 1999 · Engine · AL

Enging light &air bag light comes on when the gaugaes sto working this is the second time it has happen the dealer stated there wainting on a phone call from te crystler coperation to be able to fix problem this wiring defect is a major problem might need to be checked into for recalls instrument panel goes out fuel speedometer water gauges all stop working then they will come back on work for a minute check engine light along with air bag light comes on

Filed Jun 10, 1996 · Electrical · PA

While driving, or idling engine shuts down, check engine light stays on, dlrs replaced body control module, after repair problem reoccurred 10 miles later.