2000 Dodge Stratus: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Feb 26, 2018 · Suspension · 106,000 miles · OH

While driving down a side road at around 25mpg, the left front wheel made a pop sound and abruptly stopped. When my daughter got out to investigate she saw that the wheel was folded under the car. She had it towed and we learned the tie-rod control arm failed and broke the shaft. Thank god she was not on the highway. We paid 1200.00 dollars to get her back on the road and 4 months later the passenger side is now making a loud squealing sound when you turn the wheel. Now I learn that it seems the whole front end of these cars are defective and dangerous! Oh, and the heat stopped working and will cost 500.00 to fix.

Filed Aug 11, 2016 · Suspension · 197,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge stratus. While driving 30 MPH, a loud grinding noise emitted from the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact coasted to the side of the road and noticed fluid coming from the front passenger wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control arm and ball joint fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 197,000.

Filed Dec 15, 2015 · Steering · 151,000 miles · ND

I was driving my car when the ball joint assembly snapped in half, the entire tire almost came all the way off.

Filed Jan 2, 2013 · Suspension · 132,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge stratus. The contact stated that there was a loud, abnormal noise from the front end of the vehicle when attempting a turn or when driving at any speed. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic. The vehicle was inspected and the failure was located at the front passenger's side lower ball joint. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000 and the current mileage was 132,100.

Filed Apr 19, 2011 · Suspension · 40,000 miles · NC

Lower ball joint/ control arm defective. No extenuating circumstances or unusual wear on the vehicle to precipitate this problem. The same defective part was seen on other 2000 dodge stratus vehicles with applicable recalls. My vehicle has the same problem but based on my VIN number the recall does not yet apply. The problem has been diagnosed at steve white dodge dealership in newton, nc. The parts are still in place on my vehicle at this point.

Filed May 21, 2010 · Steering, Suspension · OH

Front passenger tie rod on 2000 dodge keeps breaking. Have replaced tie rod 4 times, but 2 separate mechanics are telling us that the only reason that tie rods would break repeatedly is because of a defective ball joint. Tie rod has snapped next to ball joint every time. It is already cracked and about to break again. It has resulted in several near accidents for us and once being stranded at a gas station an hour from home. The last time it broke was november 2009. The ball joint is the original that came on the car.

Filed Jul 27, 2007 · Brakes, Engine · 127,000 miles · WI

After an abrupt stop, the brake pedal went to the floor and braking ability was severely impaired. I went home immediately fearing for my safety. After an inspection under the vehicle, I noticed that a large amount of brake fluid in my driveway. Looking more closely I found the leak in the brake line. It appears that the parking brake cable had worn a spot on the left rear brake line. This combined with corrosion had caused the line to rupture. It looks as if the factory was concerned because there was a soft 3" piece of foam rubber tubing over the parking brake cable where it contacted the hydraulic line. This foam rubber may have actually contributed to the corrosion by trapping water between it and the steel brake line. Judging by the amount of rust stuck to the foam rubber I would say this is a fair assessment. Chrysler dealers and the main office offered no recourse. After experiencing all this and many other problems from a vehicle purchased new, I can say that I will never pay for another chrysler vehicle again. If someone gives me one, I may consider the offer. P.s. Other problems included: oil pressure sending sensor, transmission speed sensors, front wheel bearing, radiator, lower control arm bushings, an unresolved pulling to the right not resolved after new tires and wheel alignment, etc.

Filed Jan 20, 2007 · Brakes, Steering · 20,000 miles · PA · crash

I have had this car since oct. Of 2000 and about four months later, I was in an auto accident that was the other vehicle's fault. Ever since then my brakes have not worked properly I have taken it to the dealer 4-5 times for vehicle failure to not stop in enough time and pulsating. The first two times I took it to the dealer they claimed the couldn't find anything even with a test drive. The third time they claimed my brakes were bad and replaced the brakes and not the rotors. After that the pulsating was not as noticeable for a few weeks then it was back to the way it was before. I had the dealer check them one or two more times and again they said nothing was wrong. Shortly after that I had a small fender bender due to brakes not stopping my vehicle properly. I have to have my front and rear brakes changed twice a year, the front brakes go like they are made of paper, the rear brakes wear on one side more than the other. My outer tie rod have been replaced twice because they were broken, the rotors have been replaced 3 times. For the past two winters when I first start my car and turn the steering wheel, it screeches so loud and pops I think my tires are going fall off. I have two small children and find this very unsafe. When I have to come to a stop I have to almost stand on the brake pedal to make sure I stop in time. It is not always like this but 90-95% of the time it is and I know that my car is not the only one that this happens to.

Filed Oct 11, 2006 · Steering · 97,500 miles · MD

While backing into a parking lot, a loud snapping noise was heard from the driver side front wheel. Upon hearing this noise, the vehicle was unable to move more than a few feet, but was able to be partially parked in the parking spot. Once parked and investigated, the tie rod assembly detached from the driver side front wheel. Car had to be towed; tow truck driver was able to move/drag vehicle approximately 10 feet onto flatbed tow truck. Left outer tie rod was replaced and vehicle front end was realigned.

Filed Sep 8, 2006 · Suspension · 99,582 miles · NE

Have had this 2000 dodge stratus which daughter has driven for 5 years now it is on it's fourth transmission since purchasing and numerous other repairs, all soft plugs replaced, originals were made from pot metal, replaced with brass. Numerous alignment problems. But just last month daughter was driving and noticed a severe scrapping noise all of a sudden, she thought it might be brakes wearing out. Upon inspection it was the lower control arm rubbing against the inside of the front passenger side wheel. Lower ball joint had given away and the entire control arm was now resting inside of the wheel. 2000 & 2001 dodge stratus unsafe at any speed.

Filed Aug 25, 2006 · Suspension · 95,000 miles · MO

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 5 MPH on dry roads, there was a cracking noise accompanied by a shudder felt in the front end. Upon inspection, the contact noted that the front lower control arm on the left had fractured. The vehicle was not immediately taken in for service.

Filed Oct 4, 2005 · Steering · 68,970 miles · OH

Dt: contact owns a 2000 dodge stratus. The incident happened on september 28, 2005. Front end tie rod ends came apart from the wheel. Had no warnings signs that anything was wrong with the vehicle. Contact's 171/2 year old daughter went to pick up a friend, while pulling out from driveway the tie rod ends broke . As she was pulling out a friend's father heard the noise of the tie rod end breaking . He checked the vehicle, and told her what was wrong with it. Vehicle was towed to contact's home. In the meantime contact found part available at advance automobile, and contact's husband fixed the tie rod ends. No crashes. No police reports. No fires.