2005 Dodge Stratus: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Oct 8, 2020 · Brakes, Steering · 73,083 miles · FL

Got this car 2 years ago and from day 1 when applying the brakes all the way the car is almost uncontrolable the wheel pulls one way or the other bad so I have to pump them and then it still pulls and I have replaced the brakes 4 times to make sure it wasnt the disc and also replaced the wheel bearings and the shop told me the lower control arm and upper and lower ball joints are cracking up and so its not safe for me to drive and I dont have the money to be replacing something that shouldnt be messed up my car has low miles it started makimg clunking noises whem going over a bump and any time car is moving it is squeaking noises coming frpm front of car

Filed May 11, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 180,500 miles · IL

Takata there are several things that I have seen as a recall on a dodge stratus and tried to report it and whomever I be talking to is in denial about that my car is showing me the signs that it's needs to be fixed because it's a malfunction my ball joint is bad because of the front right steering knuckle has messed it up and my gas gauge is messed up with the alarm and temp control is also messed up

Filed Feb 25, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · 121,517 miles · GA · crash

The vehicle was purchased in 2013 " as is" (used) f rom a car lot. There were at least 2 or 3 alignments completed due to repairs on related parts. After each alignment, the steering wheel would turn to an angled position after a few days or a week. When turning the steering wheel to the right or turning it to the right while backing up in reverse, a loud pop can be heard coming from the vehicle. The noise has always seemed to come from the left side of the car. Everything suggested as repairs has been done. Both ball joints were replaced. All front and back struts were replaced. Also there has been a problem with the suspension causing noise and bouncing while driving. All of this has happened on city streets, driving about 35 MPH or much less. A mechanic suggested in 2013 that the car might have an electrical problem but almost everything has worked well for the past 4 years with no problems except for the windshield wiper speed which does not work on the regular back and forth and super fast speed. The wiper switch was replaced which didn't help. A dodge dealership checked it last week and said that the wiper motor works. Only one of many auto repair places tried to charge me for an elec issue. Also in 2013, the first car repair shop I took it to did not detect any recalls and they listed a different VIN # which is:[xxx], on my paperwork. A dealership told me it was not valid when I contacted it for parts. A different VIN # is on the car title which is in my name. Could this car be part of a chop shop scam? I've had a problem trying to find parts that match the color and year especially for an inside door panel. Also I filed police reports because someone has entered the car repeatedly and illegally without forced entry and may have a key. The seller of the car was dishonest when the car was purchased. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 27, 2016 · Suspension · 130,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge stratus. While reversing out of the driveway, the front passenger side wheel fractured and the ball joint detached. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09e056000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Jul 6, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 160,000 miles · CA

Was driving 25 MPH driving on paramount blvd at whittier blvd, in pico rivera, ca, when the car made a loud clunking noise, then felt as though we were dragging something. Only drove 50 feet before pulling over, as it was impossible to drive. We thought it was initially a flat tire, until we got out. Our mechanic inspected it, and determined that the lower control arm had failed on the passenger side. It was clear from the picture that the ball joint was rusted and snapped free of its housing.

Filed Mar 28, 2016 · Suspension, Wheels · 494,600 miles · TX

While I was driving the front driver side wheel broke off it was the control arm I have had it fixed. A couple of months after that incident I had the front passenger side tire also do the same. I got it fixed. Now my back driver side wheel is tilting in like it wants to break off. Since noticing this I have not driven it and has been stuck in my driveway 4 months until I can figure out a way to get it fixed without having to pay for something like this again

Filed Sep 9, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · ND

I was backing out of the driveway on his way to work and all of a sudden he couldn't steer. The right front tire just turned in sideways and wouldn't move with any movement of the steering wheel. We jacked up the car to see what happened and we saw the arm with the ball joint was completely detached from the socket. By the looks of it, the crack is near the retaining ring groove. We can manually move the tire as it is completely detached from the front suspension control arm. I was very upset with this and the fact I wasn't notified this was an issue. Not only could my life have been in danger but also my nephew who I let use the car and all of those other drivers on the roads everyday. An issue like this would for sure cause a fatality at a fast speed as I drive the interstate daily with my twin girls. This issue best be fixed and more notification is requested on any other issues pertaining to my car! If its not a recall, make it a recall! Very dangerous!!!!!

Filed Jul 2, 2015 · Suspension · 115,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge stratus. While driving at 30 MPH, the front driver side wheel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the upper ball joints and the lower control arm assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the aftermarket upper ball joints used for the repaired failed in one years time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 20, 2015 · Steering · 101,000 miles · IA

My daughter was driving through a parking lot and the car suddenly stopped. She got out and looked at the front and discovered the both front wheels were turned out in opposite directions. The tie rod had broke and came apart. This could have been disastrous at highway speeds. I was able to fix it at home, but as a father, I worry about just this thing happening!

Filed Oct 29, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 149,000 miles · SC

One day I went to back out, I turned the wheel and hear this crunching, clunking sound which sounded like a huge rock scrapping on metal. I immediately stopped and walked around the car and saw nothing. It started again as soon as I started the car back up. Anytime I turn the steering wheel, I heard this sound. I took it to a mechanic who told me it was the tie-rod ends. He said a lot of people have this issue but there was no recall yet. I called the dealer to see if they would fix it since there were a lot of complaints. Nope ! The dealer said they could not fix it for free without an official recall. It's a costly repair $900-$1100 b/c it requires many different services - tie rod ends, tires, balance, alignment, but they would not drop the price by a single penny. Now they are doing a piecemeal recall beginning with the trucks. Why not force them to recall them all ? I have been on multiple sites and I have seen complaints from as far back as 2003 to as recently as 2014. I wish the government was a hard on the dealers as the dealers are on the buyers.

Filed May 1, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 180,453 miles · OH

As I pulled into the car lot where I am buying the car I heard a kind of clunk but was unsure what it was. I went in and made my car payment upon starting my car and putting in reverse to leave my car would not turn in any direction. I put the car in park and shut it off went back into the car salesman and asked him if he could help figure out what was going on . He jacked the car up and checked to see the problem but was unable to see anything until he removed the drivers side front tire . Here he immediately noticed that the rack and pinion had broke free from the tie rod end and was unable to get back together as the bolts that held these parts together were stripped completely out and there was no way to fix ..

Filed Aug 22, 2012 · Suspension · 129,906 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge stratus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 2 MPH, attempted to make a left turn when he suddenly heard a loud clunk underneath the vehicle. The contact stopped and noticed that the front passenger side tire sheared and the lower ball joint had fractured. The vehicle was towed to the owners home and was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 129,906.