1996 Dodge Stratus: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Jan 2, 2013 · Suspension · 116,000 miles · VA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge stratus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the front drivers side tire separated from the vehicle, struck the curve and traveled into traffic. The vehicle was later towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and advised her that the lower ball joints separated from the socket. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised her that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 09e056000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The failure and current mileages were approximately 116,000. Updated 02/28/13 *bf the lower ball joint and axle were replaced.

Filed Oct 30, 2005 · Suspension · OH · crash · 1 injury

While driving forward at about 25-30 MPH, the steering locked to the right, right side fell down and pulled car severely to the right. There was no steering, no control. Air bags deployed, pulled car up a curb into a fire hydrant then another 25 feet into a pole. Car is a total loss. The front end parts are all in tact, only the lower control arm is cracked which caused the wheel to turn completely to the right. Everything was inspected on vehicle and there is not any other explanation or evidence prior to the curb than the lower control arm. The car lost control causing further damage.

Filed Sep 15, 2005 · Suspension · 136,778 miles · TX

Dt: the consumer complained about front lower control arm failure on 1996 dodge stratus. The front wheels locked up. The consumer took the car to the mechanic and the mechanic referred the consumer to the dealership. The dealership said that the car was repaired. The consumer stated that the car made noises when the brake were applied, and in reverse it popped. The consumer was taking the car back to mechanic for diagnosis. The consumer has not been in contact with chrysler as of now.

Filed Aug 2, 2004 · Suspension · 104,000 miles · AK

Consumer received recall 97 v 201 000 concerning lower control arm. While driving 10 MPH the right wheel collapsed due to lower ball joint failure. Dealer was notified.

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 Mar 1, 2003 · Brakes, Engine · NE

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.

Filed Sep 9, 2002 · Steering · OH

While driving front tires locked up. Contacted dealer. Tie rod came undone. This was common problem.

Filed Jul 21, 2002 · Steering · IL

My wife called me to report that she was experiencing some binding in the steering as she was leaving the parking lot of a shopping mall, and had decided to return to the parking lot. I went to the lot to investigate the matter and drove the car in the lot, turning both left and right frequently, and the steering seemed to be alright. I decided to drive the car home, and then noticed that a slight clunking noise could be heard when driving over rough spots in the pavement. I decided to jack up the right front wheel to try and determine what might be loose. While manuvering the car into position in my garage, the right tie rod end ball stud separated from its socket, which of course is the connection to the right side steering knuckle. The socket and ball were very rusty and there was no lubrication present, although it is supposed to be a sealed, lubricated for life joint which does not have a grease fitting.

Filed Jul 11, 2002 · Steering · IN

While pulling into a parking lot outer tie rod broke and fell off causing the consumer to loose control of the vehicle, the manufacturer was contacted but refused to do anthing about the problem.*ak

Filed Jul 9, 2002 · Steering · WI

While driving the 2 outer tie rod pins fell out, almost lost control of steering.

Filed Feb 11, 2002 · Steering · MI

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.

Filed Feb 4, 2002 · Steering, Transmission · NY

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.