1997 Dodge Stratus acceleration problems

Filed Aug 22, 2013 · Acceleration · 170,000 miles · WV

Either the oil light or cruise light will come on and car loses all power. I have to pull off road and put car in park turn it off and sometimes it will just start right back and sometimes I have to wait for about 30 mins for it to start back. I have only had the car since march of 2013 and it has done this 10-12 times since then. I almost got rear ended a few times cause with no power it is hard to get car off the road. I have contacted dodge but there is no recall for this problem yet.

Filed Jan 28, 2009 · Acceleration · 150,000 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge stratus. While driving approximately 45-50 MPH on normal road conditions, the cruise control was activated. When the contact depressed the brake pedal, the cruise control failed to deactivate. He made several attempts to disengage the cruise control mechanism, but was unsuccessful. The gear shifter was placed into neutral and the vehicle suddenly began to slow down; however, the engine revved highly. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure occurred whenever the cruise control was activated and the vehicle was in motion. The failure mileage was 150,000 and current mileage was 175,000.

Filed Aug 10, 2007 · Acceleration · 105,000 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge stratus. While driving 70 MPH the cruise control failed to engage when activated. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The current mileage was 128,000 and the failure mileage was 105,000. The VIN appeared to be invalid.

Filed Jul 5, 2003 · Acceleration · NY · crash · 1 injury

When the car was put into reverse the engine raced, with my foot still on the brake the car was propelled backwards at a high rate of speed. The RPM gadge registered 8,000. I quickly put the car into park,it heisitated then the car was propelled us forward at a high rate of speed for about thirty feet on our driveway, unable to stop, having the brakes lock, the car crashed into my other parked car and the porch of my house. Finally after the stratus pushed the other car ten feet towards the road ,my husband was able to pull the keys out of the car. My daughter received a slight concussion. A police report was filed. By the grace of god this didn't happen at my daughter school fair to which we were on our way. Chryler was notified concerning their product defect. A gentlemen representing them has investigated, we are awaiting his findings. Please mke sure to check the throttle sensor, your life depends on it!

Filed Aug 2, 2002 · Acceleration · MO · crash · 1 injury

When vehicle is put in drive it will surge forward, and it will be hard to stop. Surging caused an accident. *ak the airbags deployed burning the driver's arms and hands. Driver was taken to hospital and treated for a broken nose. The surging happended twice before the accident.

Filed Oct 13, 2001 · Acceleration, Brakes · ME

Going down the highway at 65 MPH, I put on my cruise control, the car in front of me slowed down so I pushed on my brake, which was supposed to eliminate cruise sontrol immediately. My cruise light went off but the car continued to accelerate. Applied brake harder, realized there was no stopping, pulled over to break down lane. Applied emergency brake, ended up with just sqealing tires and transmission shifting horribly. Let me just note that at this time I also had my 10 year old daughter in the car. Thank god a state police pulled up behind me, at which time I had the car at 10mph but would not come to a complete stop. My 10 year old child had to jump from my car to let the officer know why I couldn't stop. He ended up having to pull in front of me and slow down to about nothing to finally stop my car at which point he got out , came to my window and told me to turn off the engine. In this form I could not fill out the appropriate VIN, etc. Because my car was towed and I am with a friend in mass. I will be contacting the dealer and dodge company on monday. Very scary experience for me and especially for my child. Maine state police was obviously involved. His name was roger.

Filed Aug 6, 2001 · Acceleration · MI

The problem actually started in december of 1997, it had around 50,000 miles. The vehicle is sluggish while in drive and will stall at any given moment. We had the map & throttle sensor replaced at that time. We have had recurrent problems with the sensors since then, until this past may when we replaced them for a second time. The vehicle still stalled during normal driving conditions. Upon further inspection we found the head gasket was cracked. We once again proceeded with the recommended repairs. Unfortunately the problem still remains. The check engine light reflects there is a problem, however the diagnostic continually notes the problem is with the sensors. We have been told by the mechanic that this is a common problem with the dodge stratus, yet dodge is reluctant to recall the part(s) involved. For example, three other dodge stratus/plymouth breeze vehicles were brought in to the same repair shop during the same week our stratus was being repaired. We continue to have problems with the vehicle stalling at the most in opportune times ( in the middle of left hand turns in busy intersections, etc...

Filed Jun 15, 2001 · Acceleration · PA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Filed Oct 4, 2000 · Acceleration, Brakes · NY

Vehicle experienced numerous brake failures, brake pads and rotors have been replaced many times.

Filed Jun 28, 2000 · Acceleration · IL · crash

Cruise control, which was not being used at the time and which was not operable [had not been working prior to the accident] suddenly and without prior warning caused the car to accelerate as if the accelerator pedal were floorboarded. Driver avoided other traffic but ended up in a field. Car was totaled. Inspection of the circuit board inside the cruise control servo unit was found to be faulty.