Dodge Stratus harsh shifting problems

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 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 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.

Filed May 2, 2010 · Suspension · 110,950 miles · IL

I was driving to work on 4-30-2010 in my 2002 dodge stratus es sedan. I heard a strange metallic clunk from the rear of the car. Once I got to work I checked around the rear wheels and found that the driver/rear spring mount plate was totally corroded and a chunk was missing which caused the spring to slip (noise I heard). The other pass/rear side is just as bad. The aluminum mounts are totally corroded and flaking apart. I live in northern illinois so corrosion is a usual thing, but for parts to just flake away in chunks? This seems overtly dangerous and an engineering oversight. I need to get this fixed right away or who knows how the springs will fail and cause me to lose control.

Filed Jul 23, 2009 · Fuel system · 189,432 miles · IL

My name is [xxx] . This complaint is for the car allowance rebate system. I feel that my car is eligible for the clunkers for cash program. It is a clunker, it is 11 years old. But because the mpg is 22 I was told I don't qualify. Why haven't it been made a little easier for those that own old vehicles period? I feel this isn't done fairly and it could be changed. This will be break for those who can't afford to upgrade to better cars. Those that are low income workers. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Apr 30, 2009 · Suspension · 23,900 miles · TX

I was driving at 30mph coming to stop where I heard this loud clunk like if I ran over a large rock and bottomed out on it. Nothing happened to the car from what I can see but I see that there are many other complaints for this issue on this car.

Filed Nov 10, 2008 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · FL

My case is similar to odi case 10151711. I perform most of my car maintenance from oil changes to brake pad replacement. I had recently replaced my pads and made sure every bolt was tightened correctly. One week later I was driving down the highway at an approximate speed of 70 MPH and heard a clunk and it sounded like I had ran over something as the object hit the bottom of my car. I thought someone threw something out their window. About a mile down the road I heard a noise that sounded like I had a flat tire. As I began to brake and pull over the noise went away. Confused by the sudden stop of the noise, I proceeded another mile or so down the highway until the noise from the right front tire started up again and sounded like grinding. I immediately pulled over at this point and came to a skidding stop. I tried to pull forward as I was off the road but very close to the shoulder. The car would not move forward regardless of the pressure on the gas peddle. I decided to try and back up and I was successful and pulled further off the shoulder. I saw that my caliper had come free and began to take chunks out of the alloy rim. I am very fortunate that I did not lose control of the vehicle or damage any other vehicles on the road. The tow truck driver and service manager stated they never saw anything like this before. $497.66 later (new bolts and a rim) my car was mobile. I was over twenty miles from home when this occurred. Photos and bill available for review.

Filed Sep 3, 2008 · Electrical, Transmission · 34,000 miles · VA

1. Ignition- ms. Faulkner was transporting me to pick up my vehicle and her vehicle engine shut off just before she came to a stop. She stated that this had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle did not stall the day I drove it but when I stopped at a signal light the engine surged momentary for approximately 3-4 seconds and then it returned to it?s normal idle. Had I not had the brake pedal engaged the vehicle would have surged forward 2. Transmission ? While driving on the interstate at speed limit and speed control set, upon resuming speed after coasting down a hill, there was a very distinct clunk that came from the transmission/transaxle. This same clunk occurred again at slow speeds when I slowing down for a signal.