While the vehicle was parked consumer noticed fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle. It was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced. *ak recall campaign; the federal safety agency campaign id number : 96v006000. The consumer took the vehicle to have the recall service done and the problem became worse.
1996 Dodge Stratus engine complaints
Page 2 of 12: complaints 11 to 40 of 335, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle tended to shutdown unexpectedly at various speeds, causing consumer to lose control of brakes and steering. Took vehicle to dealer several times, but they were unable to determine the cause of the problem.
Head gasket leaked oil. As a result, vehicle continued to overheat.
Driving the car and hearing knocking coming from the engine and vibration coming from the right front tire.
My mechanic stated that my engine is leaking oil from pretty much everywere, I have to add a quart of oil every 4 - 5 days. I have no interior lights, my odometer and tachometer do not function and display. My radio does not work, and now my brake lights aren't functioning. I checked and all of my fuses are fine. I can't afford the engine repairs for the oil. I have to get the electrical problem fixed. Chrysler should take care of these problems.
Vehicle caught fire while parked with the engine off which belonged to the consumer's son. *ph (mary francis on behalf of alex francis) the fire may have been caused by a faulty engine plug. Recall#96v006000. Other consumer contact info: alex francis 754‑235‑8335 *sc
While backing out of the driveway, the driver noticed oil on the ground. Took to a mechanic and he said the gaskets, seals, etc., need replacing. Please provide any further information.
Currently own a 1996 dodge stratus 4 cylinder, and it is sitting in my driveway and I am unable to use it, as the head gasket blew out of it, and will cost over $1500 do replace(and so I hear even if you do replace it, the head gasket will blow again shortly after due to the improper design of the engine)..this is so well known a problem, and I am disgusted to think that with our family being lifetime dodge/chrysler people, the company would ignore safety and allow this problem to continue in later models. What is it going to take to get some help here!!!! I am a poor mom of two children, one disabled, and thought that I was makng a good purchase with the stratus. I currently cannot afford to have the vehicle fixed, and have been unable to get my disabled child to the doctor as I do not have reliable transportation......this is pathetic! Please someone help!
My dodge stratus 1996 leaks oil like a siva. I believe this to be a global issue with this vehicle and the v6 engine used in it. I have cared for this care very well and it has been maintained better than recommended by dodge.
I purchased my 1996 dodge stratus in the summer of 1996 and so far I have had nothing but trouble with this vehicle, one head gasket repair through the dealership at a cost of $1600, one timing chain replacement at a cost of $600 and now again another head gasket leak. In the year 2000 this car sat in the garage for a total of 11 months due to not having the money to fix the head gasket problem which caused a severe financial and a mentally frustrating time during those months without a car. I would like to be included in the class action lawsuit against chrysler so please forward me any information needed in going forward with this lawsuit.
2nd request fax fwd email fm behalf of [xxx] (tx) re numerous defects on a 1996 dodge stratus (VIN#[xxx]). *mr the A/C leaked, electrical circuits malfunctioned, transmission problems, premature brake wear, head gasket problems, and poor driveability. There was steering oscillation when driven above 50 MPH, rough ride when there was an irregular surface, erratic idle, performance loss, overheating in traffic and or the A/C would become inoperative, warm-up sag, hesitation/die out, rear grid defogger indicator light malfunctioned, inside lights worked improperly, erratic late harsh transmission shifts, frequent rumble or gear noise from the front between 50 and 70 MPH, musty odor and defogger failed to clear the glass. *scc the vehicle was also in need of an exhaust manifold and struts. *jb information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I have a 1996 dodge stratus (71,000 miles) with a severe oil leak from the head gasket. It is a 2.4l engine and like all others if has failed. Chrystler knows they have a poor product and a failure of a design, but they do not want to take any responsibility for their mistake. This car has been driven very little, mostly to school to drop off the kids and to the local stores. A car with less than 9,000 miles a year on it should not have a $1000.00 repair to such a major part. The chrystler corporation should repair all 2.4l engines at their cost because it is terrible engine. I will never buy another chrystler product and I will attempt to ersuade everyone I know from making the mistake I made !
Head gasket oil leak, tie rods bad, tires replaced, brakes going bad, engine light on.
Ltr fm jovan mathews (tx) re problems with his 1996 dodge stratus and asking daimler chrysler to initiate a recall. *mr the A/C leaked, electric circuits malfunctioned, transmission problems, premature brake wear, head gasket, and poor drive ability. The consumer had replaced the timing belt, hydraulic tensioner, water pump, alternator, alternator belt, rotors, brake shoes, rear wheel cylinders, pcv valve, dryer, A/C compressor, tires, all filters, and fluids. The vehicle was in need of an exhaust manifold, windshield, struts, shocks, steering wheel, and a head gasket. The vehicle experienced steering wheel oscillation/vibration above 50 MPH, rough ride on road with irregular surface, erratic idle, performance loss, overheated,warm up sag, hesitation, rear grid defogger indicator malfunction, inside lights had become inoperative, late/harsh automatic transmission shifts, frequency rumble or gear noise from the front between 50 and 70 MPH, musty odor, and the defroster failed to clear the glass. *scc
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
My name is [xxx], and I am a twenty-four year old father of three who is currently receiving social security. I am writing this letter today because I am having some problems with my 1996 dodge stratus (VIN# [xxx]). The types of problems that I am having consists of air conditioning leaks, electrical circuits that malfunction, transmission troubles, premature brake wear, head gasket problems, and poor driveability. Chrysler motor corporation prides itself as representing value, quality, durability and reliability, but I cant seem to see that as a true statement with all of my current problems. I could not believe all the problems that I am having with this vehicle at one given time so I decided to research my difficulties on the internet and I found that I am not the only one with these same issues. I feel that daimlerchrysler corp should be held responsible for my repairs due to circumstances caused by shoddy parts and quality. So far I have replaced the timing belt, hydraulic tensioner, water pump, alternator, alternator belt, rotors, bake shoes, rear wheel cylinders, pcv valve, dryer, AC compressor, tires, all filters, and fluids. I am in dyer need of a exhaust manifold, windshield, struts, shocks, steering wheel, head gasket. Also, I am experiencing steering wheel oscillation/vibration above 50 MPH, rough ride on road with irregular surface & bottoming out on pothole, erratic idle, performance loss, overheats in traffic &/or A/C becomes inoperative, warm-up sag, hesitation & driveway die out, rear grid defogger indicator light malfunctions, inside lights work improperly, erratic, late or harsh automatic transmission shifts , frequency rumble or gear noise from front between 50 & 70 MPH , musty odor and defroster fails to clear glass. As it appears I need a lot of work and being low income I need help.*ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Consumer states manifold has cracked, causing fumes to seep into the vehicle.
Consumer states vehicle was serviced by dealer, technician noticed engine manifold needed to be replaced, but parts were not available.
Owner of 1996 dodge stratus, a certified lemon with repeated head-gasket leaks/transmission leaks. I have had this vehicle repaired twice for head gasket leakage and twice for transmission problems.
The consumers vehicle experienced symptoms of the recall (96v006000) but the vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. The recall was for the engine cylinder head oil galley plug.
The vehicle had an oil leak, it was soon discovered the head gasket needed to be replaced.
My 1996 dodge stratus has 37,000 miles. In february 2002 I took it to sears for an oil change. Also asking them to see where oil was leaking (noticed oil on concrete in garage). They said valve cover gasket so I got that fixed for about $72.00 all along thinking that there were not that many miles driven. And to bad the warranty had just expired. I think it was 5 years or 25,000 miles. Within the next 2 months oil was leaking again. Took it in and end up paying $702.00 because the head gasket was bad. The mechanic showed it to me and jokingly said isn't it funny how this can be so cheap that it almost was deteriorated and the warranty 5yrs is up. Even though I had not drove 25,000 miles yet. Well the final blow , on oct 10,2002 I kept hearing a clunk when I made left or right turn. Took it to the rhoden dodge. We were told that right & left tie rod ends were loose & sway bar links worn & loose(2 tie rods,& 2 ball joints) I asked them to perform an alignment and transmission flush ,totaling $779.00 because what else will break. Well in jan. 2003 the brakes were on medal another $190.00. I'm afraid to take it in to the garage. There is only 37,000 miles driven and I am hearing another noise when I turn left and right. When the brakes were fixed they told me they test drove it and heard nothing . Some how it seems that 5 yrs or 25,000 miles is telling me that I should have sold it before that because I think the company knew things would start happening. Is there anything you can do to help me. Please, this car is a lemon with only 37,000 miles.
The head gasket leaked oil onto the exhaust manifold. *ph
Blown head gasket, twice, massive oil leak
While driving and without warning oil would leak from vehicle, and consumer would have to refill oil several times.
While in motion, the vehicle's passenger compartment began to fill with smoke and the warning lights began to flash. While trying to come to a stop, consumer found that the brakes and power steering were inoperable. Consumer was able to stop the vehicle before the fire began in the engine compartment. *jg
Consumer states vehicle caught fire while driving. Dealer diagnosed fire was result of the engine cylinder head plug being loose. This caused oil to leak which resulted in engine fire. Related recall 96v006000, consumer's v.I.n. Not included. Ts
It all began when we purchased a brand new 1996 dodge stratus in oct 1995. The car gave us little if any trouble the first year. The second year and every year since it has been a#1 headache. The second year alone the car was in the shop 17 times. The repairs were major ones as well as minor ones including replacement of air compressor on air conditioner, starter, replacement of head gasket twice once at 11565 miles second at 20495 miles and guess what now at 69000 miles.thank goodness the first two were covered under warranty. I filed a complaint within the warranty period with the dealership, the attorney general as well as good old chrysler. I was told by chrysler I could always buy an extended warranty anfd they would open a complaint file on me so that if any of the same problems occured, I could contact them. Well I have contacted them but they say they can't do anything. Talk about customer service huh!!!!! I am not willing to accept that answer. I think chrysler has to admit there is a problem and correct this at no cost. There are too many people having the same problem I am
From all the people I've read about having so many problems with their dodge stratus. I believe something needs to be done. We had the head gasket replaced in 1998 and now it is failing again. The engine smells like it could start on fire from all the oil this car leaks. Chrysler knows about this but refuses to do anything about it. Hopefully you will help us. Thanks dt
Tried contacting dodge and even though there is a problem and they know of it they said tough. Dt
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