Consumer stated the head gaskets have been replaced 4 times, also the timing cover was replaced.
1996 Dodge Stratus steering complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 42, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While pulling out of the parking lot, notice difficulty in steering. Tie rod broked and had to be replaced, there was no grease fitting on the part, the stud was missing, rubber boot destoryed after stud fell out, catastrophic failure.
Since the purchase of this vehicle it has been in the repair shop 9 times. Several of these repairs have been repeat repairs. The manual transmission started giving us problems on 10/18/1999. It took them until 08/28/2001 to repair it. Then we had to bring it back on 10/22/2001 because a seal was leaking on the transmission. At that time I had them listen to the car, because the transmission was making the same noise it started with in 10/1999. They said they didn't hear anything, which is what they told us up until 08/28/2001. Now this car is getting ready to go back to the shop for the transmission. In the 3 years we have owned this car it has had $5201.48 worht of repairs done to it. In addition to the defective parts I have listed, it also had an ignition coil, injectors, ball joints, and tie rod ends replaced. All repairs we done by middletown dodge, rt 17m, middletown, ny, except the first repair. That was performed by the dealer. Fortunately we have a great extended waranty. Otherwise we would have had to pay for all these repairs ourselves. We are concerned that this car will continue to breakdown and we won't be able to afford to keep it or someone will be injured.
While pulling out of a parking lot consumer had difficulty controling vehicle. A private mechanic at a tire shop examined vehicle, and determined that left front tie rod broke in half. Part is available for inspection. Please provide any additional information / attachments.
Tie-rod failed no steering,2 headgasket failures in past 5 years,brake rotors fail every 2 years....
Headgasket blewout since purchase. Also, consumer has had to replace master cylinder, power steering pump, catalytic converter, and valve cover gasket. *ak
Computer controller,idler arm and pulley,timing belt,and bottom crank gear all went out at same time.head gasket was found to be defective while in shop for timing belt repairs.chrysler has agreed to pay for 500 of the 725 dollars it would cost to fix head gasket,but nothing on all the timing belt related problems at 525.00.auto was 4,000 miles and 1 year out of warranty when problems occurred.just seems odd that the computer and all the timing belt related problems happened at the same time.the computer was replaced under warranty.after computer was replaced the timing belt problems were discovered.
I have had nothing but major problems with this car in the short 7 months that I've had it. Chrysler has done nothing about it.
Power steering failed. Nlm
Tie rod failure resulted in total loss of steering. Front wheels were oriented at 90 degrees relative to one another. Likely fatal accident avoided only through circumstance of part failing at low speed in a parking lot.
Clunk in the left front revealed failed tie rod end. Upon removal is was found that the left tie rod end had separated at the ball stud. The ball stud was only being held in place by the rubber boot. We also replaced the right tie rod end and found that it too was failing. It was showing signs of binding. Failure was imminent.
4 months after I purchased this car, I started having major problems with it. I've had to pay $830 for a head gasket at 82,000 miles, $318 for suspension + alignment because my tierods busted off while I was driving at 92,000 miles. I still cannot get the fuel injection problem fixed, because I'm out of money. I had taken this car in twice for the stalling, engine dying, and shaking problem, and it has never been fixed (started 4 months after I purchased the car).
While driving out of driveway lost control of vehicle due to broken tie rod end.
Drivers side tie rod separated out of socket, causing total loss of all steering control, the car is too new to have this failure, dealer inspected car two months prior and should have seen the wear on both tie rod joints.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
The rack and pinion has failed twice. I have also complained to the dealer of a buzzing and/or grinding noise coming from the steering column. I have taken the car in at least 2 other times for this problem and am going to take it in this thursday (10/21/99) again for the same buzzing noise. Each time I take it in it is there for a minimum of 2 days if not longer. I am concerned for the safety of my family due to the steering column noise. This thursday I will also take it in for some type of electrical failure - the car will sometimes not start on me.
Steering column has been repaired five times and still exhibits noise problems. Mjs (attorney for consumer).
Transmission: auto was parked, but would not go into reverse. Auto would have to be stopped and restatred to procedd a few hundred feet. Called for tow. Cyl. Head: auto leaked oil, went to dealer. Dealer said it was cyl. Head, but I never saw the problem. Tie rods: noise in front end. Tie rods were ready to fall off. Still a noise; maybe stabilizer bars or ball joint. I have owned many vehicles, but this was my first chrysler product--- and the last! Numerous other problems, but dealer did respond.
Whenever air conditioner is on or the weather is cold, steering wheel would make a humming sound. The steering wheel would become stiff & not able to turn as freely.
Rack and pinion steering failure.
Rack & pinion replaced once, power steering not working when cold. Also, oil leaking from engine
No summary for this vehicle.
Vehicle lost control on two occasions resulting in accidents.
While coming off the highway at 70mph the steering inner tie rod came apart and steering was lost. Dealer has not seen.
Trunk lid came down on driver's head, causing a mild concussion. Also,replaced warped brake rotors/steering rack and power steering and egr valve. In addition, engine check light came on.
When it's cold it's hard to turn the steering wheel. Dealer has seen.
Design of the steering column allows driver's floor mat to get sucked or wedged down into steering column. Then the steering locks up.
Had a recall remedied for the timing belt on 5/6/97. On 5/9/97, the steering locked up on the vehicle, causing the driver to run off the road.
Oil galley plugs failed.
Has difficulty with steering, vehicle pulls to the left. Dealers have tried alignment, but that did not work.owner is very concerned for his safety.
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