1996 DODGE STRATUS Suspension Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, STRUCK THE CURVE AND TRAVELED INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED HER THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED FROM THE SOCKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09E056000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 116,000. UPDATED 02/28/13 *BF THE LOWER BALL JOINT AND AXLE WERE REPLACED.

2ND REQUEST FAX FWD EMAIL FM BEHALF OF [XXX] (TX) RE NUMEROUS DEFECTS ON A 1996 DODGE STRATUS (VIN#[XXX]). *MR THE A/C LEAKED, ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS MALFUNCTIONED, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR, HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS, AND POOR DRIVEABILITY. THERE WAS STEERING OSCILLATION WHEN DRIVEN ABOVE 50 MPH, ROUGH RIDE WHEN THERE WAS AN IRREGULAR SURFACE, ERRATIC IDLE, PERFORMANCE LOSS, OVERHEATING IN TRAFFIC AND OR THE A/C WOULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, WARM-UP SAG, HESITATION/DIE OUT, REAR GRID DEFOGGER INDICATOR LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED, INSIDE LIGHTS WORKED IMPROPERLY, ERRATIC LATE HARSH TRANSMISSION SHIFTS, FREQUENT RUMBLE OR GEAR NOISE FROM THE FRONT BETWEEN 50 AND 70 MPH, MUSTY ODOR AND DEFOGGER FAILED TO CLEAR THE GLASS. *SCC THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO IN NEED OF AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND STRUTS. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

LTR FM JOVAN MATHEWS (TX) RE PROBLEMS WITH HIS 1996 DODGE STRATUS AND ASKING DAIMLER CHRYSLER TO INITIATE A RECALL. *MR THE A/C LEAKED, ELECTRIC CIRCUITS MALFUNCTIONED, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR, HEAD GASKET, AND POOR DRIVE ABILITY. THE CONSUMER HAD REPLACED THE TIMING BELT, HYDRAULIC TENSIONER, WATER PUMP, ALTERNATOR, ALTERNATOR BELT, ROTORS, BRAKE SHOES, REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS, PCV VALVE, DRYER, A/C COMPRESSOR, TIRES, ALL FILTERS, AND FLUIDS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD, WINDSHIELD, STRUTS, SHOCKS, STEERING WHEEL, AND A HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION/VIBRATION ABOVE 50 MPH, ROUGH RIDE ON ROAD WITH IRREGULAR SURFACE, ERRATIC IDLE, PERFORMANCE LOSS, OVERHEATED,WARM UP SAG, HESITATION, REAR GRID DEFOGGER INDICATOR MALFUNCTION, INSIDE LIGHTS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, LATE/HARSH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS, FREQUENCY RUMBLE OR GEAR NOISE FROM THE FRONT BETWEEN 50 AND 70 MPH, MUSTY ODOR, AND THE DEFROSTER FAILED TO CLEAR THE GLASS. *SCC *JB

BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR THE FRONT LEFT TIE-ROD END BROKE. THE CAR IS SERVICED & MAINTAINED THROUGH DODGE. IT ONLY HAD 43,875 MILES ON IT. NO GREASE FITTINGS ON THESE TIE-ROD ENDS, SO THEY CANNOT BE SERVICED. THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS A LIFETIME PART THAT NEEDS NO SERVICING. I TOOK AN EXTENEDED WARRANTY WHICH EXPIRED 3 MONTHS PREVIOUS TO THE INCIDENT. DUE TO TIME NOT MILAGE. THIS VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT AND HAS LOW MILES FOR YEAR. DODGE SAID THEY WOULD PAY HALF THE BILL BUT I THINK THE WHOLE BILL SHOULD BE PAID (TOW, RENTAL, & RIM) COULD SOMEONE PLEASE ADVISE ME ON THIS SITUATION.

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH CAR STARTED JERKING, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THEN IT LOCKED UP, AND CONSUMER HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC, MECHANIC SAID CONSUMER NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. *AK

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SITTING STILL AND IN DRIVE THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. DEALER SAYS IT'S NORMAL. *AK

ALSO NOTICE THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN TURNED. *AK

VENDOR PART UNAVAILABLE FOR 2 1/2 WEEKS. CAUSES CAR TO PULL SEVERELY TO SIDE. *AK

WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT AND WHEN APPLYING THE GAS TO PULL OFF AGAIN, THE VEHICLE JERKS VERY HARD LIKE SOME ONE HIT THE VEHICLE IN THE BACK. *AK