1997 DODGE STRATUS Engine And Engine Coolingengine Problems

DODGE CHRYSLER DID NOT INFORM OWNERS OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET. THERE WAS NO RECALL NOTICE; INSTEAD THERE WAS A "SILENT RECALL" -- THAT IS, OWNERS ARE UNAWARE UNTIL THERE IS A PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED OIL BURNING WHICH WAS LEAKING FROM ENGINE HEAD GASKET, AND GETTING INTO ENGINE MANIFOLD. DEALER HAS REPAIRED ENGINE HEAD GASKET FOUR TIMES, BUT PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. ALSO, LOUD KNOCKING IN FRONT LEFT SIDE OF WHEEL DUE TO RACK PINON FAILURE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK

OIL IS LEAKING FROM ENGINE HEAD GASKET. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS PREMATURELY BLOWN, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT WHEN THE HEAD GASKET BLEW THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BURNED OUT RESULTING IN THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING AND LOCKING UP.

THE MOVING STEERING SHAFT BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IS EXPOSED. A CLAMP ON THE STEERING SHAFT CAUGHT THE FLOOR MAT AND MADE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR. I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD ALL STRATUS ARE MADE THIS WAY. THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDS A SHIELD. IF CHRYSLER DOESN'T FIX THIS, I MAY SELL THE CAR. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS, INCLUDING TIMING BELTS/IGINITION KEY/ HEAD RESTS/BODY, ELECTRIC MIRRORS,ETC.. THIS MAY BE THE LAST STRAW. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER WITH 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE AND I HAVE WORKED ON CARS SINCE GRADE SCHOOL. A DESIGN FLAW LIKE THIS BORDERS ON CRIMINAL!!! IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THIS DESIGN, I WOULD BE GLAD TO TESTIFY. IT WOULD BE AN OPEN AND SHUT CASE!!! I WOULD APPRECIATE A REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE IF POSSIBLE. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED.

IDLER PULLEY BEARING SEIZED UP AND BROKE APART AND TORE TIMING BELT.

HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL, CHRYSLER WILL NOT PROVIDE RELIEF. *AK

TIMING BELT IDLER PULLEY BROKE DAMAGING THE TIMING BELT.

SEVERAL OWNERS OF THE NEON AND STRATUS CARS HAVE BEEN SHOWING UP WITH HEAD GASKET FAILURES WHICH ARE NOT AN INEXPENSIVE REPAIR. BETWEEN THE OIL LEAKS, OVERHEATING AND WORRIES, I AM WONDERING WHO TO CONTACT TO SEE IF CHRYSLER FAILED TO BUILD THE MOTOR WITH THE CONSUMER IN MIND.

ON MAY 27,1998 I CALLED THE DEALER TO HAVE MY CAR LOOKED AT BECAUSE I WAS HAVING A MAJOR OIL LEAK.WHEN THE DEALER GOT IT IN FOR SERVICE THEY NOTICED IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD-GASKET AND FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR ME.ON NOV. 11,1998 AT 38616 MILES I NOW HAVE A BAD TRANSMIISION AND I'M WONDERING IF IT IS A DEFECT,I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO OWNS A 1996 DODGE STRATUS AND SHE WAS EXPRIENCING SOME PROBLEMS WITH HER TRANSMISSION.THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO 3RD. OR 4TH. GEAR, ALL I HAVE IS 2ND. GEAR EVEN IF I WERE TO PUT IT IN 3RD. GEAR MANUALLY.

BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING, THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. WHILE DRIVING CAR 13 MILES FOR REPAIRS, 50-55 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME, ON AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING OIL TO LEAK.

DAMPNER CAME DEFECTIVE FROM FACTORY.

WHILE DRIVING THE THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VIBRATION AND ENGINE NOISE. DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP/TIMING BELT, ETC. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK