10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,574 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.

1997 Dodge Stratus engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments (Page 5 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #37

Oct 011999

Stratus

  • miles

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

Head gasket leaking oil at rate of 1 quart per 3,000 miles. DaimlerChrysler contacted but kept details regarding scope of failures a secret. They offered to split repair costs 50-50 with me (my portion to exceed $300). Contacted a number of dealers and independent repair facilities, all of which confirmed large numbers of head gasket failures across several model and engine lines. After seeing the number of complaints on this same subject on this site, I have to believe it is a major defect in either gasket design or material and warrants a recall to repair at no cost to the original owner. Vehicle costs too much ($20,000) to allow this type of a failure to continue. I currently own 2 Chrysler built vehicles, but will not buy another DaimlerChrysler product, ever.

- Hampstead, MD, USA

problem #36

Mar 222000

Stratus

  • miles
Head gasket leaking oil. Was told that there has been allot of problems with this part. Chrysler gave me the run around on the phone. The dealership said the new head gasket is a new design meaning that the original is defective. I realize that I have allot of mileage on my vehicle, but considering that we have kept up with the required maintenance, there should not be a problem with the head gasket.

- Cartersvill, GA, USA

problem #35

Feb 222000

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer noticed an oil leak. Took vehicle to dealer, and they said it was the engine head gasket. If head gasket were to fail completely, oil could get onto catalytic converter and start a fire.

- Alvaton, GA, USA

problem #34

Mar 202000

Stratus

  • miles

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

Head gasket blew at 30,000 miles still under warranty but going out of warranty soon and noticed people with simular problems and would like to know how to protect myself from it happening when the warrenty is up.

- Rossford, OH, USA

problem #33

Feb 232000

Stratus

  • miles
Premature head gasket failure and ongoing body idle vibration

- Manson, NC, USA

problem #32

Feb 262000

Stratus

  • miles
Timing bel/ pulley bearing failed, causing pulley to break

- Montpelier, OH, USA

problem #31

Feb 152000

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Vehicle experienced head gasket failure for the second time within 17,000 miles of first replacement. Dealer notified, and informed consumer vehicle was out of warranty and not under a manufacturer's recall.

- Rocky Hill, CT, USA

problem #30

Feb 122000

Stratus

  • miles
Engine head gasket was leaking oil at 51,000 miles. Spoke to mechanic this is a defect in the gasket. I have the gasket if the NHTSA wishes to inspect. Spoke to Dodge they said it was a common problem with the Stratus but it was not cover under the warranty.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #29

Feb 112000

Stratus

  • miles
Consumer purchased car used and engine head gasket was replaced at 44,000 miles. Now at 61,000 miles it has blown out again. Dealer isn't going to replace it, but manufacturer wants the consumer to get the car to dealer, and they have a representative to look at it.

- Rocky Hill, CT, USA

problem #28

Feb 102000

Stratus

  • miles
Engine head gasket was leaking oil at 43000 miles. This has to be a defect.

- Somerset, MA, USA

problem #27

Sep 181999

Stratus

  • miles

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

Cylinder head gasket leaks prematurely... will contact Chrysler.

- La Mesa, CA, USA

problem #26

Feb 032000

Stratus

  • miles
I found out yesterday my head gasket needs replacing after doing alot of research I have found this seems to be a problem with alot of Stratus vehicles, and neon's and hope Dodge will be forced to back there problems.

- Dixon, IL, USA

problem #25

Nov 231999

Stratus

  • miles
Head gasket failed, causing severe oil leak. This appears to be a common problem with this engine due to a design or manufacturing defect.

- Pass Christian, MS, USA

problem #24

Dec 301999

Stratus

  • miles
Oil is leaking around the seal, and head gaskets. I called around to get estimates on getting the car fixed, and was told that hundreds of Dodge Stratus has had that same problem. And it would cost between $900, to $1000 to be fixed.

- Atoka, OK, USA

problem #23

Jan 222000

Stratus

  • miles
Bad oil leak from head gasket. $600 quoted price. Many others have experienced the same problem.

- Kent, OH, USA

problem #22

Jan 122000

Stratus

  • miles
Engine head gasket has failed, causing engine to be replaced ($5200), as per dealer service center in redlands, ca.

- Redlands, CA, USA

problem #21

Jan 042000

Stratus

  • miles
I took my car to be inspected and they informed me that there was a serious oil leak due to a gasket failure. They advised me to take it to the dealer in the hope that there would be a "silent recall" for this design failure. I was also told that the cost for this repair would be about $1,000! while looking through the database of reported failures I noticed that there are several other reports about the same issue. Please help!

- Liverpool, NY, USA

problem #20

Sep 191999

Stratus

  • miles
Engine pulley that holds the timing belt broke which may have caused a loss of vehicle control if driving.

- Waterford, PA, USA

problem #19

Sep 091999

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles
Idle bearing failed wearing out timing belt within 42,000 miles. Could have caused loss of vehicle control.

- West Warwick, RI, USA

problem #18

May 231998

Stratus

  • miles
Rear seat belt. Engine--cylinder head gasket.

- Chino, CA, USA

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