2001 dodge stratus...noise in front end. Told it was bearings on 3 separate occasions, and they were replaced. Engine ticking/ possible valve tap numerous complaints to dealer being told that year model runs rough; and could trade it for a more expensive car. Now trying to have rear struts put in and the aluminum plate that holds them in is powder. The part is not available. Dodge is the only place to order the part and was informed this is an old car and the part was on back order.
2001 Dodge Stratus suspension complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 41, newest first, as owners wrote them.
2001 dodge stratus se has issues with the rear strut mount. Consumer states that there is a back order on the upper strut mounts. *nj the consumer stated the blower resistor stopped working and two days later, the vehicle would not start. The consumer had to purchase a fuel pump. The consumer then started to hear a knocking noise in the steering. The consumer was informed the knocking noise was due to the fact that the steering column was too large for the components. The thermostat broke into pieces and the transmission stopped shifting gears.
I have a 2001 dodge stratus with 80,000 miles. On july 26 I heard a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. I took it to a repair shop that I usually take my car in to change the oil and such. He inspected the rear axle of my dodge stratus and said the upper strut joint on both sides of the rear vehicle. He told me that the car should not be driven do to the metal part of the upper strut joint broken and it would be hazardous to drive the vehicle. I asked him when and how much the repairs would be? He made a few calls to autodealers, auto parts stores and apparently they are not available due to a back order of upper strut joints. We took matters into our hands and called a number of dealers thinking that they would have an inventory of the product. All the car dealerships said that they were in back order and that they also needed them for customers and loaner cars that they have in their inventory that they cannot use due to the part not being available. They told me that it would take more than three to four weeks for the part and that was not a guarantee. Some of the car dealerships and repair shops said that this is a problem and can cause the rearend of the vehicle to be attached only by a part of the vehicle which is dangerous. These parts are in back order which means this is a problem that should be addressed. I have photos of the defective part and would like to make them available to you. I could not wait for the part so I had someone make a temporary part for both sides of the vehicle. This should not happen to anyone that has invested on a vehicle and when something happens there are no parts to be found. Their is a problem with this matter and it should be investigated. Please feel free to call me anytime regarding this matter.
On 7-12-08 my wife was driving the car home and got less than 1/4 mile away, going around a curve at 45mph. She heard a noise pop and then a rub. She proceeded to the drive and into the garage. She came into the house, got me and I looked at the rear of the vehicle. What I found was the upper strut mount on the rear right side is rotted out because it was made of aluminum (which reacts with steel and road salt). The strut broke free and rubbed a 3/16" groove into the tire. Also looking at the left side it is also rotted or corroded. I am pretty upset about this for two reasons. First, if she were traveling down interstate 69 at 70 MPH and it broke free, the tire would of been cut in half. Probably sending the car into a spin into the ditch, other cars, or a guard rail. This would of been disastrous let alone having some kids in the car. Second, I called three dealerships in the fort wayne area on 7-14-08, one told me there are 1200 on back order. One said there are 1300 on back order. One said there are 9000 on back order. All of them said they would not come in until the middle of august. I ordered 2 rear strut mounts on 7-14-08 and have not heard anything as of 7-20-08. What is a person to do without a car for one month? Thank you for your time.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 dodge stratus. The contact heard excessive noise coming from the vehicle and it began to ride roughly. The failure has been occurring for approximately a week. The dealer stated that the rear upper strut mounts needed to be replaced. The dealer also stated that this is a common occurrence with this make and model dodge. The parts for the repair are on back order until august of 2008 at all chrysler dealers. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 139,000 and current mileage was 139,200.
2001 stratus se heard a grind after going over a bump on the way home from work. Looked under car and saw driver side strut mount was broken. Took to mechanic and was told both mounts are broken and needed repair. These parts are made of cheap aluminum which is horrible material for salt corrosion. Was told part was on national backorder 2-3 weeks. Not believing hem, I called dodge directly and was told basically told sorry, 1000 were shipped 7/3 but there was another 7,600 backorder!!! Now it will be end of july before I get parts. All they would do was get me a priority for if a dealer in oh gets some I can have them. (and a case number). Very disappointed in dodge making a suspension piece that sees heavy corrosion conditions out of aluminum pot metal and then has a month backorder. Seems like this is a major issue with this car. So I'm out of my main work vehicle for a month, borrowing the wife's van. What were we to do if my wife was working or if she needed van to get kids to school. Dodge wouldn't even work with me for a loaner. (because I wouldn't have it repaired at the dealership which was 2x the cost, a whole other story).
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 dodge stratus. While driving 65 MPH, the contact heard a faint grinding sound that gradually grew louder. A mechanic stated that the strut mounts on both sides of the vehicle totally disintegrated and the coil was grinding into the tires. The vehicle was repaired. The powertrain was unknown. The current mileage was 89,000 and failure mileage was 84,000. Updated 10/03/07
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 dodge stratus. While making a u-turn at 10 MPH, the passenger side front tire leaned halfway down to the ground. Dodge has not been notified and the vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN and purchase date were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 73,000.
While driving about a year ago passenger rear strut broke. Upon inspection I noticed the top strut clamp of the spring corroded, causing the spring and strut to fall out of place and rub against the tire. Had to replace tire and strut. Approximately $500.00 for both. 6 months later the driver side strut did the exactly the same thing. The clamp corroded and has fell apart, causing the spring to rub against thewheel once again. This was due to an aluminum alloy/metal corroding. Manufacturer should know that aluminum corrodes extremly bad when it come in contact with weather.
Drove the vehicle the night before there were no signs, warnings of anything wrong. Went to drive the vehicle the next afternoon and upon start up vehicle was making a rattling, clicking noise, turned it off immediately. Had car towed, was told oil was sludgy , engine needed to be replace, at a cost of minimum end of $5700. Mechanic stated he had two more vehicles of exact year, make, model and 2.7l engine on his lot with the same problems. He stated further, he was sorry, but would have to decline his service to repair/replace the engine as he was already fed up with dealing with manufacturer with the other two vehicles. He went on to state that the manufacturer is claiming owner fault, of not maintaining 3000 mile oil changes, even though one of the owners had every receipt proving otherwise. Here I sit without a vehicle now, have no financial means to repair or replace this vehicle as I became disabled in april of 2005 and have a very limited budget. I bought a brand new vehicle so I didn't have to worry about any major expense or problems and it would last me 15-20 yrs, not 5. I also didn't expect to pay over $20,000 for a vehicle that would only last 70,000 miles. This wasn't the only items I had to have fixed, in 2003 I had to have the fan fixed for the AC/heating as it only worked on one speed, thank goodness it was covered by warranty. Which I never did receive any recall letter or any notification of this problem. In 2005 the front wheel bearings went out and had to have them replaced. The front drivers side get water in when it rains, have taken it in to dealer, they have no clue as to what and why this is happening. This is the first brand new vehicle I have ever purchased and was so proud of it, took meticulous care of it and now I feel and look like a complete fool, as the manufacturer is laughing all the way to the bank, plus has a vehicle that runs! Their old slogan dodge tuff, the new is your dodge doesn't run, that's tough.
2002 had to replace power steering pipe, manufactured to lean on the interior auto body, in which engine vibration rubbed hole in it. 2002 front right wheel makes continuous loud high pitched whistle noise, still does. Dealership discounted it and didn't know why it sounded like that. 2002-2006 engine dies while driving, odometer goes crazy up and down 2006 clock spring keeps breaking, no power to air bag or horn.
Dt*: the contact stated the air bag light illuminated constantly, the cruise control was inoperable and there was a clicking in the steering column when the wheel is turned left or right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined a spring in the steering wheel needed to be replaced. Also, the contact stated there was a clicking noise in the front underside of the vehicle that has not yet been inspected by the dealer.
Right rear axel broken, both rear ball joints broken and rear upper control arms broken on dodge stratus, 2001, with only 26,000 miles. Failure occurred while driving slowly. Both rear ball joints and upper control arms showed excessive play.
Rear top mounts on both the rear struts corroded into several pieces. Very poor manufacturing using cheap pot metal as they were completely corroded from salt,etc. Couldn't find replacement struts in stock anywhere(out of stock and on back order cross country) and it was extremely dangerous to drive vehicle in this condition. Both struts went within a two week period and I ended up getting two used struts from a junk yard off of a 2004 stratus which had been totalled with 2000 miles on it.
My car is a 2001 dogde stratus 4 door es. The car has 57,000 miles on it. At the time of purchase I also purchase an extended warrenty from the dealer. The was from first extended service corp. Ganley east inc. At 28840 euclid ave. Wickliffe, ohio 44092. I was driving to work on thursday 6-16-05, starting out on side roads to then the freeway and then to a main route to my work. After getting off the freeway I have about a 15 min ride. As I was pulling into my parking lot I heard a loud bang. The car at this point had a hard time moving. I called the dealer and then the extended warranty place to see if the broken (front, passenger side) control arm / ball joint was covered and they said yes. After having the vehicle towed to the dealer which costed me $100.00. The dealer inspected the car and told the extended warranty that the reason the control arm snapped was because of rust or corrosion. Being a major part on the car and the seriousness of this if the part would of snap as I was doing 65 on the freeway, I might not of been here typing this complaint. The dealer said it was out of there hands upon payment and before this the extended warrenty company said it was out of their hands as well because the dealer said that it failed because of rust. At the dealer I was never asked if I wanted the bad parts back or to see them, they never washed my vehicle after the service and after leaving the dealer and driving 2 miles after the vehicle was serviced and supposedly inspected the hub cap flew off the car and almost caused me to have an accident on the way home. I was able to retrieve the hub cap and go back to the dealer, were they determined that it was broken up either putting in on or taking it off. They were soooo nice to order me another one at their cost. I was charged $680.43 for the repairs plus another $100.00 for the tow to another company. After researching your web site I have found at least 5 other similiar complaints with the same make, model, year and parts.
Consumer was driving 25 MPH when the vehicle jerked as if it had struck a pot hole. Consumer got out to check the vehicle, and noticed the rear passenger tire was nearly off. The ball joints were defective and needed to be repaired.*ak the manufacture offers no assistance. Rear upper ball joints replaced and 4 wheel alignment performed.
Left rear shock was rattling around within the coil spring. Upon investigation, found that the upper spring/shock mount, which is aluminum or an aluminum alloy, had deteriorated so badly that it had seperated into 5 pieces. This part locates the upper end of the rear spring, and had it not been caught, could have allowed the spring to migrate into the tire, possibly causing an accident. This car has 70,000 highway miles, and is kept clean, and stored in a garage every night. I will be replacing the rh sided shortly, as it is showing similar signs of rot. I have the failed piece, and have digital pictures if interested.
Left rear ball joint went out while drinving. As a result, tire hit the rear of the vehicle.
Timing belt failure resulted in engine failure. Bearings on both front wheels were replaced at 30,000 miles, replaced front bearings and replaced engine.
Failure of right rear ball joint in 2001 dodge stratus with no warning such as noise or vibration proceeding failure no personal injury or property damage ball joint replaced by dodge dealership with after market part, old parts are available.
Left rear tire was cocked outward. Dealer inspected and said upper ball joints were blown out on both sides. Car was never in collision, and only 44k miles on it. Also, interior dash lights flicker when turn signal is used, clicks around corners, seats don't always stay locked in place. It's still under warranty!! I don't want to pay $600 to fix a problem I did not cause.
Before getting into the vehicle consumer noticed that the rear right wheel was tilted inward. Dealer informed the consumer that the upper control arm broke. Dealer informed the consumer that a bolt was welded to the frame of the vehicle.
When turning corners a crunchy noise was heard. *ak
Dealer will replace coil spring. Consumer stated vehicle still under warranty, but this coil is not covered, and will cost $750 to replace.
While driving, heard a "screeching" noise and noticed smoke coming from vehicle. Dealer diagnosed that the rear upper ball joints had failed and the lower ball joints were ready to fail. Dealer also discovered that the tie rods were loose. Related investigation pe03-032
While driving the vehicle started to swing from left to right.
The passenger side lower control arm broke, almost resulting in a collision. The wheel was damaged. Ph
This should be handled as a top priority investigation. The front axles bearings have been replaced 3 times on right and left front. The front ball joints and control arms have been replaced once all covered under warranty by manufacturer. Axle bearing failure occured at 21,000 miles vehicle was 6 months old. Then again 6 months later with 38,000 miles on it , at that time it was discovered the ball joints on the upper and lower on both sides were worn out, manufacturer covered under warranty. Recently a power steering line which runs from the power steering pump to the power steering resevoir started leaking, upon inspection I found it had been leaking for a while but finally opened up. The casue is the design of the power steering line, it rubs against the A/C line which is metal and wore a hole in the line. I purchased the line front the local dodge dealer. The line has been superceeded 3 times, a obvious design problem. I am ase certified technician, the following problems I listed are very serious and dodge is aware of them. Comment to me was the axle bearings and ball joints are a very common problem, this came from the dealer it self. The dealers also can not keep the power steering lines in stock. Potential risk associated with this failures are as follows, ball joint and axle bearing failure should they break while operating on the highway can cause loss of control of vehicle. The power steering line when it finally ruptures after it has worn through can cause a potential fire hazard due to the proximity of the exhaust system and also loss of power steering. Although my vehicle has 64,000 miles on it, it is only 15 months old and is driven exclusively on the highway. These failures are not normal on any vehicle with the mileage I listed and should prompt an investigation before someone gets injured. The superceeded power steering line can be confirmed at any dodge or chrysler dealer. Thank you kevin gilmore dt
Consumer states that the whole front end has been replaced, however the vehicle continues to have suspension problems, possibly causing problems with the steering.
While making a left turn it felt like something was rubbing. Vehicle has not been examined by dealer.
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