2002 Dodge Stratus: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Mar 7, 2014 · Body, Engine · 105,000 miles · TX · fire

Grandaughter was returning home from college . Vehicle suddenly caught fire on highway between marble falls tex and burnet texas.. Her mother was following in another car and barely had time to rescue some of the personal items before entire car was engulfed in flames. Granddaughter barely escaped the vehicle without injury. She was able to get several pictures of the vehicle fire on her cell phone.. The fire begin either under the hood or under the front of the car and was completely engulfed in a matter of minutes.. Grandaughter and her mom was very distraught and terribly upset until fire dept from burnet arrived on the scene . They were called (911) by a passing motorist. The burned out vehicle was hauled in to burnet texas by advantage towing 512‑756‑7995. We have never received a recall from dodge about the possible fire hazards on this vehicle.

Filed Jan 24, 2014 · Electrical · TX

I had smelled a burning smell in my car while I drive it. My husband had tried his best to find where the smell is coming from. We could not find it and now my radio doesn't work, the dome light don't work and the locks don't work. In order to lock my car I have to push the locks down. Can you please help me with what could be the possibility of what's wrong with my car? I haven't been driving it.

Filed Aug 18, 2009 · Engine · 70,000 miles · PA

On 9/3/08 I had brought my 2002 dodge stratus 2.7l v6 in for a coolant system flush. I was charged $129.95. Soon after, I smelled burning coolant, but the dealership had said it was just excess burning off. Two weeks later on 9/23/08, I was on rt 1 to out to my sister-in-laws in lancaster, pa, when my car overheated and had to shut it down on an off ramp. I got out of the car, and all the coolant was leaking out. I had it towed back to miller dodge, and they had informed me my water pump has failed and has to be replaced, along with the timing tensioner chain. It cost me $628.63. I had argued with the dodge dealership because they just did maintenance involving the water pump, and now it is dead. They said I would have to fight with chrysler about it. I found a bulletin on mycarstats.com regarding my engine that the water pump appears to fail after a coolant flush is performed. The bulletin id # 0700202, mfg bulletin date: 20020204, and the federal safety agency item # 629131. I called chrysler about it and they said they would not pay for it. I am still fighting that fight now, almost a year later. I feel that if the coolant flush damages the water pump, that it is a defect, and chrysler should pay for the cost of repairs. I do not feel I am getting any where with chrysler, and now I am reporting it, hopefully for some kind of solution.

Filed Jul 24, 2009 · Engine · 138,000 miles · NC · fire

While driving the car on a road trip (about 2 hours) the vehicle began smoking. After stopping the vehicle and opening the hood, the engine burst into flames. The car was a total loss.

Filed Apr 18, 2008 · Engine · 106,156 miles · PA

Oil light started flickering most when I was applying the brake. The engine started knocking maybe 3 weeks after. I knew I was due for an oil change so I had one done yesterday that didn't stop the knocking. I take it to the dealer I brought the car to have it looked at and he told me it was the engine so last night as im driving the knocking got real loud and you could smell something burning. The oil light was flickering more. Before I knew it the car had completely shut down.

Filed Oct 6, 2003 · Engine · 64,000 miles · NY · fire

Had parked vehicle. Noticed flames coming from under the hood near the engine compartment. Fire dept called and arrived to put out flames. Cause of fire has not been determined by fire dept.