NHTSA Complaint #10068508 — 1999 DODGE STRATUS

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE STRATUS WITH A LEAKY HEAD GASKET. I WAS TOLD BY MANY MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS. WHEN I WENT TO DODGE ABOUT IT THEY SAID THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT IT AND THAT THE NEW MODEL STRATUS' HAD BEEN FIXED. BUT WITH ALL THAT I HAVE READ IT SEEMS THAT THEY SAY THIS EVERY YEAR AND THESE CARS STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. I DON'T HAVE $1200.00 DOLLARS TO FIX THEIR MISTAKE AND POOR CRAFTSMAN SHIP. I PUT AT LEAST A QUART OF OIL IN EVERY FOUR DAYS OR SO. WHEN EVER I CALL AND ASK ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD DO TO HELP THEIR ANSWER IS, THAT IT IS MY PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO PAY TO FIX IT. I HAD TO POST-PONE SCHOOL THIS SEMESTER BECAUSE OF THIS CAR. I GO TO SCHOOL AN HOUR AND A HALF AWAY AND I CAN'T WORRY WETHER OR NOT IT WILL MAKE IT. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PUT MY EDUCATION ON HOLD FOR THIS. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT AND MAKE THE OUTRAGEOUS $320.00 A MONTH PAYMENTS AND INSURE IT. IF THIS CAR BREAKS DOWN I AM OUT OF LUCK. I WOULD HAVE NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND I WOULD BE STUCK PAYING FOR A CAR THAT DOESN'T GO. I HAVE READ THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN LEAD TO ENGINE FIRES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I AM AFRAID MY CAR WILL CATCH ON FIRE WHEN I AM DRIVING AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT. *AK