10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,384 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Dodge Stratus engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments (Page 7 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #104

Feb 222000

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle leaking oil. Had to replace oil 1-2 times a week. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide fruther information.

- Wellsbro, PA, USA

problem #103

Feb 182000

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
There is an oil leak at the cylinder head and oil galley plug, causing a fire hazard. Also, there is recall 96V006000/manufacturer's recall 671. But this vehicle not included in the recall. Consumer has contacted dealer, parts has yet to be replaced.

- Port Saint Lucille, FL, USA

problem #102

Jan 202000

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Shifter cables stretched, advised it was a common problem, but no recall. Headgasket is also a common failure in this vehicle but still no recall/with a potential fire hazard

- Enid, OK, USA

problem #101

Jan 172000

Stratus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Major oil leak on the driver side near the firewall. Dealer diagnosed a head gasket failure, allowing oil to pump out of the engine near the exhaust manifold. Recommended fixing to avoid fire, but would not offer any help. Reviewed up to customer rel. Mgr. At zone office, said due to mileage, no assistance would be offered. This seems too low a mileage for the engine to be self destructing when other brands run 200K and more miles with no trouble.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #100

Feb 012000

Stratus

  • miles
Engine head gasket blew at 40,000 miles, causing loss of oil.

- New City, NY, USA

problem #99

Feb 012000

Stratus

  • miles
Head gasket failure.

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #98

Jan 282000

Stratus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Premature failure without warning resulted in being stranded on capitol beltway. Replacement period is 100,000 miles. Actual failure at 45000. Failure cause reported mechanical with tensioner bearings.

- Burke, VA, USA

problem #97

Aug 011999

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine head gasket was leaking oil from the sides. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for repairs.

- Farmington, MO, USA

problem #96

Jan 252000

Stratus

  • miles
Noticed a pool of oil in the driveway. Leaking 3 quarts of oil every two days coming from the back side of the motor. Mechanic said it was a faulty plug.

- Baxter Springs, KS, USA

problem #95

Jan 272000

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles
Vehcle not included in recall 96V00600, the engine cylinder head oil galley plug does not seal properly, and the engine cylinder head oil is not adequately retained.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #94

Dec 151999

Stratus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Oil leak from cylinder head gasket area and rear camshaft sensor seal was detected. I am lodging a complaint because upon searching complaints site of ntsa, I have found that there are more than just a few complaints. I originally took the vehicle to a repair shop other than a Dodge dealer and was told at that time that the problem with the head gasket is "common" among the Stratus. My search on the internet confirmed the statement. I just paid over $1000 in repair bills because of this problem. I noticed that there was a recall of 1996 stratuses due to a similar problem before my car was made. Was the problem really solved with the earlier manufactured dates? my fear is that this problem will come up again in an "unsafe situation" and the lives of my children and myself will be jeopardized. This complaint may be taken lightly by the manufacturer but the problem with the head gasket troubles me a lot because there have been quite a few complaints about this problem. I hope they are not waiting for another disaster similar to "Ford and the pinto" before they do something about the problem.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #93

Jan 202000

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles
Major oil leak is coming from cylinder head gasket, causing safety hazard.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #92

Dec 081999

Stratus

  • miles
Vehicle parked. Left vehicle & few minutes. Later was informed vehicle was on fire. Contacted fire & police departments who refused to come out, indicating vehicle was on private property. Prior to fire, vehicle was inspected for leakage in "O" rings which was replaced. Vehicle's engine was cleaned. Oil proceeded to leak again. There was a recall #96V006000.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #91

Nov 241999

Stratus

  • miles
Engine head gasket problem, leaks oil.

- Beverly, MA, USA

problem #90

Nov 151999

Stratus

  • miles
I noticed a leak, thought it was the valve cover, but was tipped off that it would probably be the cam sensor. But found out that it is the head gasket.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #89

Jan 102000

Stratus

  • miles
Oil leaks may start fire. Blown head gaskets common on Stratus and neon models due to defective gasket material used during manufacture of engine.

- Granger, IN, USA

problem #88

Jan 052000

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles
Engine head gasket failed twice in 40K miles. Fear fire may start.

- Park Forest, IL, USA

problem #87

Jan 032000

Stratus

  • miles
Engin ehead gasket leaks.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #86

Oct 151999

Stratus

  • miles
We have had a problem with engine head gasket contacted the dealership they say Chrysler aware of the problem. The neon has been recalled, but not the Stratus althoughthey have the same engine plus the gasket only leaks when cold when car warms up. Also, engine seals are a problem here, and we keep running into dead ends.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #85

Dec 151999

Stratus

  • miles
Engine cylinder head oil galley plug does not seal properly, causing oil to leak. Dealer was notified about the problem. Owner was told that vehicle was not included in recall # 96V006000 Chrysler/engine, and could not be serviced free of charge. Problem has not been corrected.

- Middlebury, CT, USA

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