Tl*the contact owns a 1996 dodge stratus. The contact purchased the vehicle and noticed that the motor was not mounted down and was missing two screws. The motor jerks back and forth so severely that it seems as if the engine will fall out of the vehicle. In addition, the timing chain, fuel pump, ignition coil, serpentine belt, and muffler are failing. New brakes and struts are also needed. The contact did not discover these issues until after the vehicle was purchased. Two days later, the vehicle would not start and had to be towed back to the dealer. The failure mileage was 100,000.
1996 Dodge Stratus: jerking or lurching
8 of the 553 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Stratus describe jerking or lurching.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 12 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Jerking or lurching by model year
What owners say
When my fuel goes below 3/4 of a tank, it dies on me. It starts to jerk like its shifting hard, then looses power. When I try to start it back up, it turns over but doesn't act like its getting any fuel. Then the battery goes dead. If I get gas and fill it back up it runs fine. I have spent many hrs broke down on the hwy. I was never in an accident.
During the end of summer my car engine repeatedly shut off while driving at normal speeds (usually @20 - 40mph). I brought my car to the dealer because my car repeatedly shuts off when I turn corners or driving at low speeds of 30 or less it will just shut off in the middle of traffic. I have my 3 children in the car with me most of the time and we have faced many close accidents! Once the car's RPM shuts down the car shuts off no matter where I am. When I drive 50mph or more my car jerks. My car also accelerates while drive 40mph or less on its own in several instances I almost hit cars in front of me during red lights. My ABS light stays on all the time. I brought it to the dealer and they told me they didn't know why it was on and that it would cost $70.00 an hour for a computerized checkup which I can not afford. Another time I brought my car to the dealer for the engine shutoff problem they told me they couldn't find the problem and assumed the throttle bottle was the cause. Westminister dodge cleaned the throttle bottle and my car still continues to shutoff since summer of 2001. My air brake failed me in 9/2001, I ended up unable to stop my car from knocking off a wheel cover of a mitsubishi 4 door. My car shutoff when I tried to stop the car to avoid hitting the mitsubishi and my front end of my car (license plate nose) took off her wheelcover in which I offered to replace for $40.00. I am very afraid of what will happen next since the dealer can't find the problem. My newest problem as of 1/14/2002 is my steering wheel columm. I don't feel like I have full control of my car it kind of rides all over the rode. I don't know how much longer it will be before I get in a major accident because of unfixable car failure! I can't afford another car or trade in.
Consumer put vehicle in reverse to back in garage, heard a high pitched sound as engine started, backed vehicle in garage, and put in park. Then, wanted to pull vehicle forward. Consumer put foot on brake, took vehicle out of park, and it suddenly lurched forward/engine revved. Consumer pressed harder on brake pedal, then threw vehicle in park to stop it. Vehicle at dealer at this time, damage $ 1600.00.
Car jerks when putting in park and steering column makes a popping sound. Consumer stated it has been two years, and dealer has not received part for vehicle.
While driving at about 65 MPH car started jerking, and engine check light came on. Then it locked up, and consumer had to make a sudden stop on the side of the road. Consumer had to have car towed to a mechanic, mechanic said consumer needed a new engine.
When coming to a complete stop at a stop sign or light and when applying the gas to pull off again, the vehicle jerks very hard like some one hit the vehicle in the back.
Vehicle lurched forward from a stopped position, causing an accident.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Automatic transmission fluid usage ATF+4
- Federal and california emissions recall on reprogramming the powertrain control module
- Subject regarding reusable automatic transmission oil pan gasket
- Service and parts information on 1999 running changes to transmission range sensor (TRS) tt
- Information on diagnostic / driveability improvements, transaxle that incorporates a transmission range...
- Subject on delayed transaxle engagement
- Concerns with transmission fluid auxiliary cooler
- Information on 41TE/42LE service information
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the floor shifter ignition-park interlock may fail and allow the shifter to be moved out of the park position with the key removed. An inoperative interlock may also allow the key to be removed when the shifter has not been placed in the park position.
- Risk
- Either circumstance may result in the vehicle rolling away without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new load-limiting push rod into the floor shifter lever of the affected vehicles. Owner notification began on june 14, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 04V021000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The adjustment of the cable connecting the console shifter mechanism to the ignition key can cause a trapped key condition which can result in a low force required to depress the shift button. A combination of applying a mis-adjusted release button with a low force attempt to shift out of park with the key in the locked position, can break the connecting pin in the shifter.
- Risk
- If this happens, the "ignition-park" interlock system will be nonfunctional.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for proper operation of the system. Any vehicles that are not functional after the inspection will have the shift mechanism and cable replaced with a "self-adjusting" design.
Recall number 98V183000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1996 Dodge Stratus jerking
Is jerking or lurching a common problem on the 1996 Dodge Stratus?
8 of 553 owner complaints about the 1996 Dodge Stratus (1%) mention jerking or lurching. The model year with the most reports is 1996.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Dodge Stratus?
There are 2 recalls and 12 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 Dodge Stratus
Fire or smoke 29Ball joint 26Brake failure 15Stalling 14Oil consumption 12No deployment 8Engine failure 8Loss of power 8ABS 7Check engine light 7Knocking 7Overheating 7Headlights 6Power steering loss 6Fuel gauge 5
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