Dodge Stratus steering lock-up problems

Filed Jan 12, 2018 · Airbags, Steering · IL · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge stratus. While making a right turn, the steering wheel locked without warning and the vehicle crashed into a light pole. The driver had a seizure after the crash and was transported to the hospital for medical attention. Only the front passenger side air bag deployed. A police report was filed, but it was not consistent with the contact's account of what occurred. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility. The vehicle was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or dealer. After ten days, the vehicle was no longer accessible after being towed to a yard. The manufacturer was made aware of the crash months after it happened. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Jul 31, 2013 · Steering · 168,000 miles · VA · fire

While I was parallel parking my passenger saw heavy white smoke after I turned my steering wheel sharply. My steering wheel locked also. My passenger and I got out of the car and called 911. I believe I turned the ignition off before getting out. The smoke started on the front passenger side and flames were seen under the front of the car. The fire department came and put out the fire. Everything under the hood was burned and the car was a total loss. Afterwards the car (interior and exterior) smelled like burnt power steering fluid. I filed a claim with my insurance company.

Filed Feb 6, 2008 · 100,000 miles · NY · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge stratus. The aftermarket floormats rise underneath the brake pedal and catch onto the steering column. While driving between 2-5 MPH, the steering wheel locked due to the floormat and the contact could not turn the wheel. The vehicle crashed into his other parked vehicle. The front bumper was damaged. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. The contact feels that the vehicle should have a hook installed to prevent the floormat from moving. He did not have any product information regarding the floormats. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 160,000. Updated 03-04-08

Filed Nov 29, 2005 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · PR · fire

On thanksgiving day of 2005 I picked up my 74 year old grandmother, who is blind to go see my mom, who lives about an hour away from me. As we were approaching my mother's house, I heard a popping sound from what appeared to be the power steering hose from my 1999 dodge chrysler stratus and the steering wheel locked up. Smoke and fire started coming out from under the hood. I stopped the car and put it in park and shut off the ignition. I froze for a couple of seconds and realized we had to get out from out of the car. I went around to get my grandmother out and the locks went down automatically. I opened her door and told her to get out, hold on to me and run as fast as she could. She asked me what was going on and I told her the car was on fire and could blow up. We started running and screaming for help. People came out of their houses and two men tried to put down the fire but to no avail. After a while, the fire dept and police arrived. The fire dept. Was able to put out the fire but the car's front was completely consumed. The fire inspector told me he had heard of similar stories with this car. I called chrysler corp in puerto rico and they told me I have to wait for an inspector from chrysler comes down to puerto rico and inspects the car to see if they are liable or not. Meanwhile, I have to pay for a tow truck to bring the car to wherever it is they will inspect it and also, the lady who took my complaint at chrysler said if they find there was a defect, I have to wait to see what chrysler decides to do about it. I have no car, my nerves are shot and my grandmother is a nervous wreck. This is extremely frustrating waiting for chrysler to contact me to see when they will be able to inspect my car. Please help!!!!

Filed Oct 30, 2005 · Suspension · OH · crash · 1 injury

While driving forward at about 25-30 MPH, the steering locked to the right, right side fell down and pulled car severely to the right. There was no steering, no control. Air bags deployed, pulled car up a curb into a fire hydrant then another 25 feet into a pole. Car is a total loss. The front end parts are all in tact, only the lower control arm is cracked which caused the wheel to turn completely to the right. Everything was inspected on vehicle and there is not any other explanation or evidence prior to the curb than the lower control arm. The car lost control causing further damage.

Filed May 4, 2003 · Electrical, Transmission · NY · crash

I own a 2003 dodge stratus sxt sedan 2.4l. When I bought the car I happened to notice that there was rusting on the axles & brakes to the front end of the car. The second day I had the car it completely shut itself down and wouldn't start, immediately my car dealership picked up the car and said it was because the battery "died". I did not take note of the rusting because the dealership said "all dodge cars are rusted...*all*"a month later my car started making noises to the front end of the car slightly, then it was progressing towards january with vibration of the car past 50 MPH, I decided to call the dealership when it became out of hand and they were closed, then the monday the car shut itself down and the steering wheel locked into place while I was turning a corner and it hit probably a 5 inch high curb..of course the "rusted" right front end "axle", control bar & gear controls broke off. Found it interesting that all of these incidents I had to pay out of pocket for because this dealership says in other words that we're lying and it isn't their fault nor was it a mechanical defect. Also I have noted that my doors doesn't close properly & my windows slip out of place. After the incident of my car locking up and my axle being broken I had to take out of pocket once again $1,800 and they fixed it..but there was still problems..the vibration was still there and now there was a knocking/cracking sound to the front & rear ends of the car, and I mean it was loud..took the car back for the oil change and they said they heard nothing nor was there a vibration!.a month later I took the car back I said this was ridiculous that this noise is still there and yes of course when you have a huge brawl and fight they do find the so called "problem"....the pins to hold my brake pads in place weren't even there!...and vibration again? None to be found...yes I am the driver and the vibration is still there.

Filed Oct 10, 2001 · Body, Brakes · OH

While traveling, transmission would not shift into next gear correctly. Would suddenly slam into gear, and cause vehicle to jerk forward. *ak rear brakes make noise. Consumer states steering wheel lock up. Windshield washer is not working. Rear bumper is coming loose. The vehicle also has noisy a suspension.

Filed Oct 3, 2001 · Steering · MA

First incident involved loss of steering control on a right turn. Steering wheel locked and I had to brake hard. Second incident was again a right hand turn in an intersection, the wheels locked and though I was turning right the car went straight towards oncoming traffic. Braked hard, lucky car behind me swerved. There is steering related safety recall on 95 stratus, but dealer says my car is not covered and wants me to pay over 600 $ for repairs. Chrysler customer service is rude and callous, refused to acknowledge steering failure as a serious problem.

Filed Jan 29, 2001 · Steering · GA

While traveling and without any indication steering wheel locked up, causing poor steering. Please provide further information.

Filed Feb 10, 1999 · Steering · IL

Floor mat started moving while making a turn. Steering locked because floor mat was jammed around the column due to steering column mechanism not being covered. Dealer contacted, and stated it was design of vehicle. Problem still exists. Provide further information.