1997 Dodge Stratus: adaptive cruise control problems

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 Aug 12, 2005 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · LA · fire

Dt: contact's wife went into walmart and 15 minutes later 1997, dodge, stratus caught on fire in the parking lot. The originated from under the hood, possibly around the battery box or the master cylinder. The car was completely destroyed. This happened on june 5, 2005. The only problem the contact had with the car prior to tthe fire was the check engine light caming on sometimes. The car has cruise control, and electric windows.

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 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.

Filed Nov 13, 1998 · Acceleration · MO

Whenever consumer is driving on highway at 50-70 MPH with cruise control engaged and the vehicle approaching a down hill slope, the vehicle would accelerate to 4000 RPM, but the speed would remain the same. Consumer would commence to disengage cruise control with button, which failed to deactivate. Applied brake pedal which deactivated cruise control. Vehicle been in/out dealer shop on three occasions, and informed that nothing could be found. *ak

Filed Sep 3, 1997 · Acceleration · IL

Cruise control was engaged, consumer applied force to the brake pedal, cruise control was disengaged, the engine statred racing. The vehicle then jumped forward, causing the consumer to have a near accident. Please provide further details.