1997 Dodge Stratus transmission problems

36 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car).

owner complaints: 36
of this car's complaints: 10%
crashes: 0
recalls: 2

Which part fails

Automatic transmission
23
Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
2
Automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
2
Driveline: differential unit
1
Driveline: constant velocity joint
1
Driveline
1
Clutch assembly
1
Axle assembly: axle shaft
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Dodge Stratus transmission problems in other years

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shiftReported January 13, 2004 · 2,315,768 vehicles affected

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 switchReported August 6, 1998 · 685,000 vehicles affected

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

Related investigations

Auto trans ignition-park interlockOpened July 17, 2003, closed January 30, 2004

The manufacturer reports above are based on daimlerchrysler?s (dc) analysis of model year (my) 1998 (population = 356,384) and 1999 (population = 486,948) ja, jx and lh family subject vehicle data (earlier mys excluded).the population number includes all mys.the precise number of duplicates between odi and dc reports cannot be determined due to missing or incomplete information.the fatality incident involved an elderly person who attempted to stop a roll away vehicle and received fatal injuries.odi also gathered information on my 1997-99 prowler vehicles in this investigation. The prowler vehicles were manufactured with a different design shifter mechanism (the shift lever is shorter).there are no complaints of prowler interlock failure in odi?s database, and dc has received no reports either.the prowler is excluded from the recall scope.the investigation involved a condition where the interlock system could fail (or be made inoperative by the operator) during vehicle use, possibly inadvertently.the interlock system is required under fmvss 114.with the transmission in the park position and the ignition key off, the combined action of pressing the shift button and pulling the shift lever rearward may result in the operator overcoming the interlock system and cause the mechanical linkage of the system to disconnect.when this occurs, there is no overt indication to an operator that the system is defeated, and an increased risk of vehicle roll-away exists.under recall 04v021, dc will replace damaged shift mechanisms, and will install on all vehicles a device which inhibits the operator?s ability to overcome the interlock and defeat the system.beginning with my 2000, dc incorporated a brake and transmission shifter interlock (btsi) system into the subject vehicles.introduction of btsi involved design changes to the shift mechanism, one of which resulted in reduced mechanical advantage (rma) of the shift button.the rma shifter requires increased forces to overcome the interlock system, making the shifter less susceptible to damage.

EA03011

What 1997 Dodge Stratus owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 11, 2006 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · CO

Have contacted dodge/daimler-chrysler several times about transmission on my 1997 dodge stratus going out. Hesitation on shifting into gear, slipping out of gear and back in on turns, trans leaks, slipping into gear suddenly and jerking the car, and so on. Car has only 66,000 miles on it now and I got it in 2001 when my father passed away. It had only 53,000 miles on it then. A trans shouldn't be going out at 50-60,000 miles. If dodge has a bad product they should correct it themselves. I shouldn't have to pay to repair a problem dodge already knows about and isn't doing anything about. I never haul or pull anything and I only put 13,000 miles on it in five years. Not heavy driving. I should not have any problems at all and dodge refused to do anything or pay for repair- just saying "it's past warranty". I cannot afford to repair but I should have a vehicle company that is proud of it's product enough to stand behind it. I only get $867 a month retirement and I'm 60 years of age. Daimler-chrysler should have made repairs when I first contacted them a year ago. This is a daily problem and getting worse. Hundreds of failures. I have to use the car for pet care so just continue to putt along until it (the trans) goes out completely.

Filed Sep 22, 2006 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · HI

Auto transmission. 1997 dodge stratus 2.5l with auto stick. Transmission leakage and failure of transmission. Vehicle will not shift above second gear, and gear slips.

Filed Jun 28, 2005 · Transmission · MT

Dt: dodge stratus 1997. Consumer received recall notice concerning transaxles floor shifter park interlock. Consumer said that it broke, causing the axle to malfunction. When turn the car on consumer could shift the shifter into gear without pushing the button on shifter or pressing the brakes. Before had to press the brake and push button to go into gear. Currently, vehicle will not go into gear unless consumer shut the vehicle off and turning it back on. Sometimes when shutting the vehicle off it would not shut off until consumer messed with the shifter. Consumer called in for recall repairs, and consumer went back to pick up vehicle and the dashboard and steering column were taken apart and not put back together. Consumer said it was laying on the front passenger's side. There was no fan belt on engine. Consumer said that dealer charged her $87.00.

Filed May 9, 2005 · Transmission · PR · fire

Vehicle fire

Filed May 5, 2005 · Transmission · PR · fire

The vehicle was used to travel from home to a cinema; was parked, turned off the engine. After cinema session ended the driver and passangers were surprised to see the fire dept turning off a fire that ignited unexpectedly. The vehicle was a total loss; the fire ignited under the motor, to the driver's side.

Filed Mar 28, 2005 · Transmission · 44,400 miles · CA

Automatic transmission would intermittently shift out of drive into neutral while driving 40 MPH or more. Consumer was concerned that the vehicle may be involved in a rear end collision because of this condition. Dealer was not notified.

Filed Nov 5, 2004 · Transmission · NM

Received recall transaxle floor shifter ignition/park interlock. Took to dealer for repairs. *bf the vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the consumer that the recall repairs were already done. The consumer indicated that he has no idea when the repairs were made because he has no invoice.

Filed Aug 26, 2002 · Transmission · CT

While driving 30mph car automatically shifts in neutral.

Filed Aug 6, 2002 · Engine, Transmission · MD

Engine will continuously overheat. Also, oil and transmission fluid was leaking.. Contacted dealer, and the dealer could not find cause of problem.

Filed Jul 23, 2002 · Transmission · OK

While driving 70 MPH clutch flew out from under car.

Questions about the 1997 Dodge Stratus transmission

Does the 1997 Dodge Stratus have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the transmission of the 1997 Dodge Stratus, 10% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1997 Dodge Stratus transmission problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 1997 Dodge Stratus transmission?

Yes, 2 recalls: 04V021000, 98V183000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Dodge Stratus have bad transmission?

The Dodge Stratus model years with the most transmission complaints are 1996 (60 complaints), 1995 (56 complaints) and 1997 (36 complaints).