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.
1996 Dodge Stratus transmission complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 60, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Transmission was slipping. Took vehicle to dealer, and they pulled out and rebuilt transmission. Then, reinstalled it. Next day while driving at highway speeds driver heard a loud banging noise under car. Driver pulled over and vehicle caught on fire.
I own two dodge stratus. One transmission just failed. The transmission shop daid it was because of the transmission lines to the radiator had loosened up. The car had been involved in a minor accident. Now my other stratus has developed a transmission leak. Same problem!! I have to believe there is a manufacter defect!!
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.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Consumer heard noise from front of vehicle when slowing down. Mechanic found transmission needed to be replaced. *ak consumer states differential pin broke, chrysler agreed to pay 2/3 of cost. *slc.
This car was sold to me defective and now neither the warranty company or the dealship wants to handle it.
Was driving vehicle and transmission would shift into gear properly. Brakes were not working properly. Then, transmission fell out of vehicle.
Have replaced bearings, ball joints, head gaskets and now the transmission on 1996 stratus.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Vehicle was leaking oil, and consumer took vehicle to an independent mechanic. Mechanic stated that head gasket was cracked. Problem was remedied by mechanic. *ak the transmission was leaking.
No summary listed fro above vehicle.
Transmission has been leaking fluid for the past year. My service station can't locate the leak.
Power steering failed. Nlm
No summary
1) transmission leak due to crack in case. Mechanic diagnosed as crack due to damaged differential carrier. Described as mounting pin broke or worked loose, allowing play in differential, banging against case. 2) faulty starter motor caused repeated failure of fuse. Fuse would blow immediately upon ignition attempt. 3) constant oil leak from rear of engine. Mechanic diagnosed as head gasket seal. 4) trunk lid often will not latch.
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.
Car made nocking noise when brought into the mechanic said that it was nothing. Spoke to the owner and he said he would not look at the engine or take it out in fear that it would be the transmission. He wrote a note and said that if the car was not driveable that he would repair the car if it was the same problem as before. Now the car feels as if it is in to low of a gear. Also I have lost a lot of power.
While driving down route 80 heard a loud breaking noise, car was smoking. Pulled over, went to put vehicle in park, and vehicle won't hold in park. Had vehicle towed to the dealer, and was told that the differential broke. Told that this was a common problem for this vehicle. Transmission has been repaired and is functioning, but does not "feel" the way it should. *ak
I have only had this car for one year and I cannot believe that for a 1996 dodge stratus I have already had a head gasket ($600.00) and a transmission replaced. Need help with any recalls on these. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Shifter cables stretched, advised it was a common problem, but no recall. Headgasket is also a common failure in this vehicle but still no recall/with a potential fire hazard
The small pin that holds the larger pin for the spider gear assembly failed allowing the larger pin to come out of the housing and put a hole into the side of the transmission housing.
Vehicle has undergone every recall, consumer paid cost of failed engine head gasket, engine seized due to improper timing belt installation. Car was being driven at 50mph on interstate, transmission shifted to neutral, pulled off to shoulder, transmission shifted to park transmission blew up and car locked up. Pregnant passsenger suffered wiplash etc. Dodge conducted investigation (# 5804935) stated this was impossible. Note: incident occured days before notification of shifter recall. Letter sent by dodge stating they found no problems, refuses to release full report claiming propriatory info. Consumer again had to pay for full cost of repair, new trans. $ 1,700.
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.
Car is presently at crown dodge@ phone # is 281‑556‑6400 robert
Transmission malfunctioned while driving, causing the vehicle to lose power. Dealer has replaced the module prior to this incident. The manufacturer has been notified.
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.
I have taken my vehicle in for the head gasket to be replaced 4 times now. I am taking it in again for the 5th time for the same problem. All the dealer keeps doing is putting another head gasket on and charging me my $50 deductable. This is getting very tiring. My brakes went out completely in 1997 after the factory re-call had been preformed. I was informed that the mechanic had put the seal in wrong. The last time I took my vehicle in for the head gasket, number 4, the dealer found that the cv boot needed replaced. Durring the repair the axel just fell apart. Same time the transmission pump needed replaced the fuel sending unit needed replaced and the head gasket was replaced. And it still leaks from the same spot the rear left of the engine.
Vehicle makes loud noises as it switches gears. The sound is getting louder as vehicle gets older. Dealer cant find the cause of the problem.
Vehicle has been in for recall repair (98v‑183) on two occasions, however on each occasion the problem has not been resolved. Mjs
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