NHTSA Complaint #10177711 — 2001 DODGE STRATUS

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CAR AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND TRIED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR POSSIBLE LEAKS, BUT THERE WERE NONE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FIVE TIMES. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE VALVE FAILED. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN 2003 WHEN THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 20,000 MILES. THE DODGE DEALER STATED THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME INCIDENT. THE CONTACT HAS TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES FOR REPAIRS INVOLVING THE SAME FAILURE SINCE 2003. A REBUILT ENGINE WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE ON ONE OCCASION IN 2003. THE CARWAS 5 YEARS OLD WITH 51,000 MILES. THE CONTACT TRIED TO REGISTER THIS ISSUE WITH CHRYSLER 3 YEARS AGO BUT WAS NOT SURE IT IT WAS SUCCESSFUL . THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME. *AK UPDATED 01/29/07. *JB