1996 Dodge Stratus: sudden loss of power

Filed Apr 28, 2001 · Suspension · VA

When on interstate(60+MPH)car cuts off, not able to steer, all power goes out. Not safe to drive on interstate, I almost had a car slam into me, he didn't know my car lost power& I had a hard time getting over into an emergency lane w/ no steering. The car does not always start right away. All the dashboard lights come on.this is the fourth time this has happened. The dealership has yet to fix problem, and do not know what causes it to cut off. They claim no responsibility if anything happens while I'm driving the car.

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 Nov 1, 1999 · Transmission · NY

While driving there is a chattering noise. Eventually consumer loses drive gear. Consumer feels this would cause an accident if the car was suddenly to lose power while on a freeway.

Filed Oct 7, 1999 · Transmission · GA

Transmission malfunctioned while driving, causing the vehicle to lose power. Dealer has replaced the module prior to this incident. The manufacturer has been notified.

Filed Oct 6, 1999 · Transmission · GA

Transmission/transfer case malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to lose all power, consumer has had it replaced once, and the problem has reoccurred . Dealer has been contacted.

Filed Jan 7, 1999 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Severe oil leak on backside of engine near exhaust manifold. Was told it was not the recalled oil galley plug in the head but the head gasket was bad. Had to have head gasket replaced, cam seals, cam sensor and various other gaskets. Was told by another chrysler dealer that this was a known problem that these engines dump oil, but chrysler does not want to take responsibility for it. One dealer said they have replaced 7 in the past 2 weeks, a goodyear shop told us that they saw 5 in one week that had come in for other reasons and they had to send them to the dealer. There are numerous complaints on the internet about this. We had to pay to have this replaced and chrysler should be responsible. Head gaskets do not just go bad on new cars. To put the final nail in our coffin. The dealer (jack caruso regency dodge in jacksonville florida) that replaced this gasket, put our engine back together wrong. We were driving and the car lost power and we smelled fuel. The fuel line to the engine was loose and spraying oil everywhere, the groundstrap was arching with the spark plug wire at the distributor. We had the car towed to a different dodge dealer as we were on vacation. The dealer said we came very close to losing our lives, another few seconds and the car would have exploded. They said "whoever put this engine back together did a ?!@#$% job and did not know what they were doing" the fuel line was bent and the seal cracked, the vacuum lines were not routed correctly, brackets were loose on hoses and parts loose on the back of the engine. After we paid again to have this fixed, we brought the car to our dealer who screwed up and they deny everything and are not of any help. We are out a lot of money, but at least it is only money, we came very close to losing the lives of 4 people. This is uncalled for!

Filed Sep 2, 1998 · Brakes, Transmission · VA

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.

Filed May 1, 1997 · Steering · PR

The steering wheel locked and the car lost power .