2002 Dodge Stratus: jerking or lurching

Filed Jan 15, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 108,700 miles · CA

Noticed slight gear slippage travelling 35-45mph. All fluids checked, at proper levels. A week later, engine 'jerked' when coming to complete stop, check eng light illuminated. Progressively worsened. Once engine warmed up, started hearing a 'whirring' noise from lower-middle area of engine. Stopped @ local repair shop, they checked fluids and vac hoses, noise stopped, but noticed coolant in reservoir side 3/4 full & boiling, temp gauge on dash 'normal'. Next day, while cold, I checked coolant level in reservoir (left side) still full, (hadn't flowed back thru system once cool). I added water to 'fill line', checked condition of pressure cap (looked fine), placed & tightened, started engine, let run a few minutes, loosened 'air bleeder' on top of coolant bleeder hsng. Then I slowly shifted thru all gears, w/foot on brake, let air bleed til solid stream of liquid and shut car off. Waited an hour, started up and drove. Ck eng lt= off. Fine for a few days, same issues started up again. Louder 'whirring', like a belt or band slipped. Irratic shifting, trans never failed. Ran both code tests on dashcluster=no dtcs. Jan 2014-drove to dodge dealership: disposition: replace mopar 41te trans. My lost wages / loss of veh use(dec/jan) + burden of a loan to replace the transmission = more than I paid in full to buy the car barely 6 months ago. Unfair to customers: ongoing computer and PCM/transmission failure since 1999. The 'oops' tech spec-correct trans fluid atf+4 how many damaged & failed transmissions? Refused to honor powertrain warranty!! And continued placing. Shame on all of the corporate executives & engineers that got rich from robbing the consumers. You were 'successful failures' mopar, chrysler-dodge-daimer-iacocca, etc. 90+ tsbs, no recalls. Class actions dismissed! Time for the consumers to prevail. Time for a california class action!!

Filed Oct 23, 2007 · Electrical, Suspension · 77,601 miles · NC

I have had the control arm replaced on this car twice on the same side within a two year period. Now I am having problems with the car it jerks when it gets up to 50 MPH.

Filed Mar 13, 2006 · Airbags, Brakes · 60,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35mph on a winding road, curving right, the steering wheel jerked and the vehicle turned left. The brakes seemed stiff when applied. The vehicle hit a fence and the driver sustained severe injuries. The airbags did not deploy, although seat belts were worn. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance agency, but no determination was made as to why the airbags failed to deploy. However, the insurance agency did determine the accident may have been cause by a steering or brake problem.

Filed Apr 6, 2004 · Acceleration · 120 miles · PA

While driving and when accelerating vehicle starts to jerk/hesitate. While at a light the rpms surge between 1000 and 3000 rpms or while sitting in park.

Filed Nov 18, 2003 · Engine · WI

While driving and accerlerating, car starts to jerk / hesitate - poor gas mileage - tac flutters and engine revs up while car is park or in neutral.

Filed Jul 23, 2003 · Transmission · IL

Consumer states while driving at normal speed vehicle is jerking.

Filed Sep 20, 2002 · Acceleration · PA

While driving and when accelerating vehicle starts to jerk/hesitate and accelerate which may cause an accident.