2002 dodge stratus began to hesitate and act like it was stalling driving a 10 mile commute. Wife pull over, opened the hood, but saw nothing wrong. Being only a couple miles from home she attempted to restart the car. The car would not start and didn't sound right. She called our mechanic and had the car towed to his business. He told us that after making several attempts to start the car that the engine seized. Both the water and oil were well within the normal operating range. The car has only 58,000 miles on it has been well cared far and driven by my overly cautious wife. As I have learned more about this engine I have found plenty of evidence online that the 2.7l v6 engine is probably one of the worst examples of faulty engineering in memory. This could have caused very serious problems, and chrysler should have been forced to recall this. This is an outrageous fraud upon the american public that also makes me think that the federal safety agency is not doing their job for the american people.
Dodge Stratus hesitation problems
14 of the 2,653 owner complaints about the Dodge Stratus describe hesitation when accelerating, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 14
- worst model year
- 2002
By model year
- 20026
- 20001
- 19981
- 19971
- 19963
- 19952
Often reported together
Jerking 5Overheating 3Stalling 2Won't start 1Windshield crack 1Slipping 1Engine failure 1Grinding brakes 1
What owners say
Have contacted dodge/daimler-chrysler several times about transmission on my 1997 dodge stratus going out. Hesitation on shifting into gear, slipping out of gear and back in on turns, trans leaks, slipping into gear suddenly and jerking the car, and so on. Car has only 66,000 miles on it now and I got it in 2001 when my father passed away. It had only 53,000 miles on it then. A trans shouldn't be going out at 50-60,000 miles. If dodge has a bad product they should correct it themselves. I shouldn't have to pay to repair a problem dodge already knows about and isn't doing anything about. I never haul or pull anything and I only put 13,000 miles on it in five years. Not heavy driving. I should not have any problems at all and dodge refused to do anything or pay for repair- just saying "it's past warranty". I cannot afford to repair but I should have a vehicle company that is proud of it's product enough to stand behind it. I only get $867 a month retirement and I'm 60 years of age. Daimler-chrysler should have made repairs when I first contacted them a year ago. This is a daily problem and getting worse. Hundreds of failures. I have to use the car for pet care so just continue to putt along until it (the trans) goes out completely.
Car hesitated to go into gear, next day, just driving down the road and it stops pulling. The transmission went completely out,right in the middle of an intersection!hauled it to a garage, the transmission is completely shot. Will cost $1200.00 to $1500.00 to replace. If someone was in heavy traffic when this happened this would be extremely dangerous! From what I have been reading this is a very common problem in these vehicles. It is a 2002 dodge stratus se.I will have to borrow the money to have it fixed, as so many people have from what I have read about these and many other dodge vehicles.
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.
2nd request fax fwd email fm behalf of [xxx] (tx) re numerous defects on a 1996 dodge stratus (VIN#[xxx]). *mr the A/C leaked, electrical circuits malfunctioned, transmission problems, premature brake wear, head gasket problems, and poor driveability. There was steering oscillation when driven above 50 MPH, rough ride when there was an irregular surface, erratic idle, performance loss, overheating in traffic and or the A/C would become inoperative, warm-up sag, hesitation/die out, rear grid defogger indicator light malfunctioned, inside lights worked improperly, erratic late harsh transmission shifts, frequent rumble or gear noise from the front between 50 and 70 MPH, musty odor and defogger failed to clear the glass. *scc the vehicle was also in need of an exhaust manifold and struts. *jb information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
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.
Ltr fm jovan mathews (tx) re problems with his 1996 dodge stratus and asking daimler chrysler to initiate a recall. *mr the A/C leaked, electric circuits malfunctioned, transmission problems, premature brake wear, head gasket, and poor drive ability. The consumer had replaced the timing belt, hydraulic tensioner, water pump, alternator, alternator belt, rotors, brake shoes, rear wheel cylinders, pcv valve, dryer, A/C compressor, tires, all filters, and fluids. The vehicle was in need of an exhaust manifold, windshield, struts, shocks, steering wheel, and a head gasket. The vehicle experienced steering wheel oscillation/vibration above 50 MPH, rough ride on road with irregular surface, erratic idle, performance loss, overheated,warm up sag, hesitation, rear grid defogger indicator malfunction, inside lights had become inoperative, late/harsh automatic transmission shifts, frequency rumble or gear noise from the front between 50 and 70 MPH, musty odor, and the defroster failed to clear the glass. *scc
My name is [xxx], and I am a twenty-four year old father of three who is currently receiving social security. I am writing this letter today because I am having some problems with my 1996 dodge stratus (VIN# [xxx]). The types of problems that I am having consists of air conditioning leaks, electrical circuits that malfunction, transmission troubles, premature brake wear, head gasket problems, and poor driveability. Chrysler motor corporation prides itself as representing value, quality, durability and reliability, but I cant seem to see that as a true statement with all of my current problems. I could not believe all the problems that I am having with this vehicle at one given time so I decided to research my difficulties on the internet and I found that I am not the only one with these same issues. I feel that daimlerchrysler corp should be held responsible for my repairs due to circumstances caused by shoddy parts and quality. So far I have replaced the timing belt, hydraulic tensioner, water pump, alternator, alternator belt, rotors, bake shoes, rear wheel cylinders, pcv valve, dryer, AC compressor, tires, all filters, and fluids. I am in dyer need of a exhaust manifold, windshield, struts, shocks, steering wheel, head gasket. Also, I am experiencing steering wheel oscillation/vibration above 50 MPH, rough ride on road with irregular surface & bottoming out on pothole, erratic idle, performance loss, overheats in traffic &/or A/C becomes inoperative, warm-up sag, hesitation & driveway die out, rear grid defogger indicator light malfunctions, inside lights work improperly, erratic, late or harsh automatic transmission shifts , frequency rumble or gear noise from front between 50 & 70 MPH , musty odor and defroster fails to clear glass. As it appears I need a lot of work and being low income I need help.*ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I am so dissatisfied with my 2002 dodge stratus se. Ever since I bought my car in jan 2003, I have had more problems with this car than any other. My car leaks fluids constantly, my breaks don't work when applied, my car hesitates in all weather circumstances, my windshield makes a crackling noise, my doors squeak along with my trunk lid. Not to mention that I get anywhere from 10-15 miles per gallon for gas. I drive for about 40 min and half of my gas is gone!!! This vehicle is a hazard to the road and anyone or thing it comes in contact with :-( I never recommend my car to anyone and am ashamed to say it's mine. Dodge is definately one dealer that I wil never ever ever buy another car from!!!!!
While driving and when accelerating vehicle starts to jerk/hesitate and accelerate which may cause an accident.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the floor shifter ignition-park interlock may fail and allow the shifter to be moved out of the park position with the key removed. An inoperative interlock may also allow the key to be removed when the shifter has not been placed in the park position.
- Risk
- Either circumstance may result in the vehicle rolling away without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new load-limiting push rod into the floor shifter lever of the affected vehicles. Owner notification began on june 14, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 04V021000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A hose manufacturing process allowed the reinforcement yard to breach the inner layer of some automatic transmission hoses weakening the inner wall which could result in leakage of the automatic transmission fluid.
- Risk
- Fluid leakage from the cooler hoses can cause transaxle driveability problems and smoke if the oil contacts the front exhaust pipe.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the transaxle oil cooler hoses. Owner notification began april 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 01V011002 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The adjustment of the cable connecting the console shifter mechanism to the ignition key can cause a trapped key condition which can result in a low force required to depress the shift button. A combination of applying a mis-adjusted release button with a low force attempt to shift out of park with the key in the locked position, can break the connecting pin in the shifter.
- Risk
- If this happens, the "ignition-park" interlock system will be nonfunctional.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for proper operation of the system. Any vehicles that are not functional after the inspection will have the shift mechanism and cable replaced with a "self-adjusting" design.
Recall number 98V183000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Stratus hesitation
Which Dodge Stratus years have hesitation when accelerating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (6 complaints), 1996 (3 complaints) and 1995 (2 complaints).
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