2004 Dodge Stratus: engine failure

Filed Mar 6, 2013 · Engine · AL · crash

Car was parked in the driveway about 1 day. As I started the car I heard a big bang, and the engine seized up. Car will not turn over. No warnings or anything to indicate something was wrong with the engine. I decided to look under the hood, and I pulled out the dipstick and spotted a dark milky substance. I bought this car about 3yrs. Ago, and kept the maintenance up on the car.

Filed Jul 26, 2012 · Engine, Steering · 118,127 miles · WA

I was driving home and felt a miss in the engine, placed in neutral to see if it was just a bump or imagination. I watched the engine rpms drop to zero. Somehow the vehicle started back up and I was able to stop in time only to have to throw it in neutral again and drive two footed all the way home because the engine was trying to die. So, I drove my truck to work for the next week and then saturday came around and I fired the car up nothing appeared or sounded unusual. I let it idle for about 5 min. Backed up and out of the drive way and at the second stop sign I hung a right and heard a "pop" noise followed by a card in bike spoke sound from the engine, I opened the hood, again no damage ....the valve cover closest to the front of the vehicle had 2 cracks in it! It was oozing out oil. So as it turns out though I got really lucky, I bent 2 valves on #3 piston, also did compression leak down test on all other cylinders they were fine. (if your chain snapped it is a very easy and fast test to determine if your motor is junk or not and should not cost you much at all) dealerships wanted over 6k for long block, the car isn't worth that much! Auto parts stores wanted over 400 bucks for timing set only. I found the timing chain set, oil pump, and water pump on line for half the cost of the timing chain set alone. Good brand names too! Upon removing the timing cover and heads from the engine I found the cause of the problem, the water pump bearings seized, and because that water pump is driven by the large timing chain it was the cause of the chain snapping and almost ruining my entire engine.

Filed Jun 18, 2011 · Engine · 56,262 miles · CA

Our 2004 dodge stratus engine seized up completely and without warning in the middle of an intersection while my wife was driving home with our children. This car is equipped with the 2.7l v6 engine which only now have we become aware of the long history of this catastrophic type of failure. We bought this car new and have taken meticulous care with maintenance as noted by the service manager at our dealership. None the less, now I am expected to spend $6,700 to replace a motor that was clearly defected in design.

Filed Sep 2, 2008 · Engine, Steering · 33,000 miles · CT

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 dodge stratus. The vehicle was purchased on june 13, 2005 and the oil light has been illuminating on the instrument panel ever since. The dealer attempted to diagnose the failure on several occasions; however, they stated that cleaning some parts would correct the issue. The failure continued to persist. An independent mechanic stated that the oil switch and plugs were not in place. He replaced them with parts that were purchased from the dealer, but the oil light remained illuminated. Four months ago, a dealer diagnosed the vehicle due to noise present in the engine area. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced at the cost of $3,000; however, she could continue to drive the vehicle for a short period of time. While driving approximately 60 MPH on september 1, 2008, the engine shut off. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and it was towed to her residence. The tie rod also failed on another occasion while driving approximately 60 MPH. She was able to stop the vehicle without incident and it was towed to the dealer for repair. There was no warranty for the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000 and current mileage was 107,000. Updated 10/14/08. *lj the consumer was informed the vehicle needed a new engine. Updated 10/16/08.

Filed Aug 25, 2008 · Engine · 86,000 miles · CA

This letter in regards to my service contract #23013588 for # 2004 dodge stratus. I purchased the vehicle on 10/14/06 and it had 50,000 miles on it. I have put approximately 36,000 miles on the vehicle and have done routine oil changes every 3 ? 4,000 miles. I have changed the oil myself by draining the oil and replacing the oil filter and new oil. I have no receipts for this and was not aware I was required to keep detailed records of this. Nowhere in my service do I see anything that says to. On 08/10/08 my car began stalling and I was able to get it towed to jack powell chrysler dodge in escondido, ca for service. Mike lewis recommended I have the engine dismantled to further investigate the problem. Upon his investigation he saw metal shavings and ?sludge? Near the bearings. Chrysler sent a 3rd party investigator to take a look at the problem. It was the inspector?s decision that the problem was due to lack of maintenance and the repairs would not be covered. This is absolutely preposterous! I have taken excellent care of my car and was a very happy customer until this incident. I am requesting in writing an appeal to this decision and demand that the car be repaired as designated in my service contract. I purchased the additional warranty for the comfort of knowing that if something like this were to happen I would certainly be covered. I contacted your company and was told this is the proper channel to make this request. The person I spoke to said you replace engines everyday and doesn't see why this would be a problem. I need to have this repaired as I cannot possibly afford what it would cost to replace the engine. I am a good customer and I cannot understand why my service contract is basically useless. These repairs must be covered and there was in no way a lack of maintenance. Please take whatever actions are necessary to resolve this matter in a timely fashion. I refuse to just be swept under the rug.

Filed Jul 5, 2007 · Engine · 31,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 dodge stratus. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle experienced engine failure at the head of the engine. The contact pulled off the road and the vehicle was towed. He discovered that the machine head was constructed incorrectly, which prevented oil from reaching the cylinder. The head was replaced under warranty. The contact had to pay a $100 deductible and was told that the expenses would be taken up with the chrysler dealer. The current and failure mileages were 31,000.