The ABS and the braking system quit working I got on the freeway and I had breaks by the time I got three off ramps later to get off the freeway I had no brakes they didn't work in the pedal went all the way to the floor causing and accident
Dodge Stratus brake failure problems
58 of the 2,653 owner complaints about the Dodge Stratus describe brake failure, most of them for the 1995 model year.
- owner complaints
- 58
- worst model year
- 1995
- typical mileage
- 64,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 14No deployment 4Grinding brakes 3Knocking 2Ball joint 2Adaptive cruise 2Tire blowout 1
What owners say
Driving down the road, I had lost my brakes, took it to a mechanic and the brakes line on the left front wheel broke, this happened in september 2013, and the left front brake line broke again in december 2013. I called the dealer and they said there were no recalls for brakes, maybe next time I'll be traveling the interstate and realize I have no brakes when I need to apply them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge stratus. The contact was traveling 35 MPH when a preceding vehicle abruptly stopped 100 feet ahead of him. The contact depressed the brakes hard but the driver side wheel locked and the remaining three wheels did not respond. The contact crashed into the vehicle as a result. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop but was not inspected for the brake failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 128,500.
Without warning, while driving my 2006 dodge stratus sxt at 35 MPH the bolts on the caliper bracket broke. I had no brakes and had to have it towed. One of the bolts crumbled in the mechanics hands when he removed it and the caliper bracket was bent. The bolts broke and bracket bent on the front driver's side of the car. A bracket was ordered from a local dealership and installed on my car. The brakes are good but now on the left front there is a constant squeak which worsens when braking and from time to time while driving, a knocking sound comes from the same area. I have put it in the shop twice but the knocking sound is so sporadic the mechanics have not heard it.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge stratus. While driving at an unknown speed, the brakes failed in the contact's vehicle. He had to pump the brake pedal twice to stop the vehicle, but by then he had rear ended the preceding vehicle. He was not injured badly, but is very sore. A police report was filed. The front end of the vehicle was crushed and was towed to a collision center. The dealer and manufacturer have not yet been notified. The failure mileage was 64,000.
After an abrupt stop, the brake pedal went to the floor and braking ability was severely impaired. I went home immediately fearing for my safety. After an inspection under the vehicle, I noticed that a large amount of brake fluid in my driveway. Looking more closely I found the leak in the brake line. It appears that the parking brake cable had worn a spot on the left rear brake line. This combined with corrosion had caused the line to rupture. It looks as if the factory was concerned because there was a soft 3" piece of foam rubber tubing over the parking brake cable where it contacted the hydraulic line. This foam rubber may have actually contributed to the corrosion by trapping water between it and the steel brake line. Judging by the amount of rust stuck to the foam rubber I would say this is a fair assessment. Chrysler dealers and the main office offered no recourse. After experiencing all this and many other problems from a vehicle purchased new, I can say that I will never pay for another chrysler vehicle again. If someone gives me one, I may consider the offer. P.s. Other problems included: oil pressure sending sensor, transmission speed sensors, front wheel bearing, radiator, lower control arm bushings, an unresolved pulling to the right not resolved after new tires and wheel alignment, etc.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge stratus. While parked in the parking lot, the vehicle caught fire. The fire and police departments suggested that the fire could have been caused from bad wiring within the instrument panel. The contact stated that the entire instrument panel and engine were completely destroyed. She stated that there was no ignition source that could have caused the fire. The vehicle was towed and the contact is still waiting to hear from the mechanic. She has also been experiencing brake failure and have had them replaced twice. A police report was filed. The VIN and engine size were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 140,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge stratus. The contact stated that the brakes failed while driving. There were no warning indicators. The failure resulted in a crash with one minor injury. Presently, the vehicle has not been diagnosed. The engine size and purchase date were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 25,000. The consumer provided a vehicle accident report. Updated 07/18/07
Brakes failed on my sons '96 dodge stratus. He went over approximately a 20 foot embankment and landed in a creek. Luckily he only received minor injuries. I searched the web and found your site on recalls and the master cylinder for the brakes were recalled for this particular vehicle, however, his VIN # wasn't included in the recall. It cost about $600.00 to replace this.
While driving consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. Consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle, and collided with another vehicle. Upon impact, both frontal air bag did not deploy. Driver was injured, and went to the hospital on her own. Vehicle was totaled out by the insurance company. *ak
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with an inadequate weld between the right front brake hose block and the stand-off bracket.
- Risk
- Separation of the stand-off bracket from the block could cause fatigue damage of the right front brake tube and result in a half system brake loss.
- Remedy
- Dealers will add a brake line bracket to the right front brake tube.
Recall number 00V196000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The right rear brake tube can contact the exhaust system clamp and wear a hole in it.
- Risk
- Daimlerchrysler recall no. 843. If this happens, the tube could leak, reducing the effectiveness of one-half of the diagonally split braking system, and resulting in longer stopping distances.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the brake tubes for visible evidence of contact with the exhaust system clamp. If the tube shows evidence of contact, it will be replaced. If no evidence of contact exists, the tube will be fastened with a clip.
Recall number 99V244000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- The brake master cylinder can leak brake fluid due to a damaged double lip rear piston seal.
- Risk
- Brake fluid leakage can result in diminished effectiveness of one half of the split brake system. The instrument panel warning light(s) will signal system impairment prior to partial brake system loss.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear brake master cylindr piston assembly.
Recall number 96V075000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Corrosion of the ABS hydraulic control unit can cause the solenoid valves to stick in the open position.
- Risk
- If either front wheel valve sticks, the vehicle would swerve from a straight stop when the brakes are applied.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a plate and silicone grease injected into the solenoid cavity to eliminate the potential for this condition.
Recall number 96V074000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Stratus brake failure
Which Dodge Stratus years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1995 (15 complaints), 1996 (15 complaints) and 1998 (8 complaints).
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