NHTSA Complaint #10240587 — 2004 DODGE STRATUS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE STRATUS. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JUNE 13, 2005 AND THE OIL LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL EVER SINCE. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT CLEANING SOME PARTS WOULD CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO PERSIST. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE OIL SWITCH AND PLUGS WERE NOT IN PLACE. HE REPLACED THEM WITH PARTS THAT WERE PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER, BUT THE OIL LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. FOUR MONTHS AGO, A DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE DUE TO NOISE PRESENT IN THE ENGINE AREA. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $3,000; HOWEVER, SHE COULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2008, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE TIE ROD ALSO FAILED ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THERE WAS NO WARRANTY FOR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. UPDATED 10/16/08. *JB