10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,658 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Dodge Stratus transmission problems

transmission problem

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1996 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #18

Dec 101999

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The small pin that holds the larger pin for the spider gear assembly failed allowing the larger pin to come out of the housing and put a hole into the side of the transmission housing.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #17

Nov 011999

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle has undergone every recall, consumer paid cost of failed engine head gasket, engine seized due to improper timing belt installation. Car was being driven at 50mph on interstate, transmission shifted to neutral, pulled off to shoulder, transmission shifted to park transmission blew up and car locked up. Pregnant passsenger suffered wiplash etc. Dodge conducted investigation (# 5804935) stated this was impossible. Note: Incident occured days before notification of shifter recall. Letter sent by Dodge stating they found no problems, refuses to release full report claiming propriatory info. Consumer again had to pay for full cost of repair, new trans. $ 1,700.

- East Arlington, VT, USA

problem #16

Apr 011999

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving there is a chattering noise. Eventually consumer loses drive gear. Consumer feels this would cause an accident if the car was suddenly to lose power while on a freeway.

- Burnt Hills, NY, USA

problem #15

Feb 021996

Stratus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission failure resulted in complete loss of fluid. Mjs

- Dermott, AR, USA

problem #14

Oct 131999

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles
Car is presently at crown Dodge@ phone # is 281-556-6400 robert

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #13

Sep 291999

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission malfunctioned while driving, causing the vehicle to lose power. Dealer has replaced the module prior to this incident. The manufacturer has been notified.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #12

Jun 121997

Stratus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have taken my vehicle in for the head gasket to be replaced 4 times now. I am taking it in again for the 5th time for the same problem. All the dealer keeps doing is putting another head gasket on and charging me my $50 deductable. This is getting very tiring. My brakes went out completely in 1997 after the factory re-call had been preformed. I was informed that the mechanic had put the seal in wrong. The last time I took my vehicle in for the head gasket, number 4, the dealer found that the cv boot needed replaced. Durring the repair the axel just fell apart. Same time the transmission pump needed replaced the fuel sending unit needed replaced and the head gasket was replaced. And it still leaks from the same spot the rear left of the engine.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #11

Jul 291999

(reported on)

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle makes loud noises as it switches gears. The sound is getting louder as vehicle gets older. Dealer cant find the cause of the problem.

- Point Pleasant, WV, USA

problem #10

Jun 201999

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission: Auto was parked, but would not go into reverse. Auto would have to be stopped and restatred to procedd a few hundred feet. Called for tow. Cyl. Head: Auto leaked oil, went to dealer. Dealer said it was cyl. Head, but I never saw the problem. Tie rods: Noise in front end. Tie rods were ready to fall off. Still a noise; maybe stabilizer bars or ball joint. I have owned many vehicles, but this was my first Chrysler product--- and the last! numerous other problems, but dealer did respond.

- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA

problem #9

Mar 151999

Stratus

  • miles
Transmission would not initially engage when starting car in the morning. Transmisiion would slip and eventually kick into gear. Car out of 3 year warranty. Dealer stated that torque converter was bad, interior seals were leaking. Transmission completely rebuilt. Manufacturer picked up 70 % of cost. When discussing impact of prior system failures on this car (blown head gaskets, replaced brake systems) dealer suggested an extended service contract.

- Perrysburg, OH, USA

problem #8

Aug 201998

Stratus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There was a shudder type sound and the transmission locked up, the car lost power, brakes did not work properly and lights came on the dashboard. The car locked in drive and could not be put into any other gear. The driver had to put the emergency brake on. Eventually the vehicle was forced into gear.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #7

Jul 011998

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving the vehicle would not accelerate over 40 mph. Owner took vehicle into dealer and was informed that the transmission was going bad.

- Emlenton, PA, USA

problem #6

Dec 171998

Stratus

  • miles
The transmission started leaking oil from the front seal of the tranny. I took the car into a Dodge dealership's garage in england (where I live working for the United States air force) and they told me that the front seal needed to be changed and that I had to pay for parts (the seal) and labor. Then when the car was ready to pick up they informed me that Chrysler was paying for parts, incuding a new pump that thaey felt needed to be changed out and I would pay for the labor. I paid $195 pounds wich is equivelant to around $350 dollars. When I tok the car from the garage I noticed a strange noise comming from the front left tire. So I took it back and they rudley took my car and went around the block to see what was the matter. When he came back the car was fixed. So I drove it home and on the way thier the tranny was slipping and almost burnt out. I checked the fluid and there was none in there. I called the garage and told them that it was leaking again. So I filled it back up and took the car back to them. They then preeceded to tell me that the tranny neede to be replaced that the torque converter was bent. I was quite upset because I would of never had to pay for the first time if they has road tested the vehical in the first place. So I left them the car agian. This happened on the very next day. About a month later I recieved the car back. Two days after recieving the car the tranny got stuck in low gear. I took the car back again and they told me it was the tranny's compt. That was messed up. So here I am with this I keep my fingers crossed that a 2 1/2 won't scew up anymore. (besides the ball joints shearing and the 2 or 3 more recalles that need to be fixed)

- Apo, NY, USA

problem #5

Jan 201999

(reported on)

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving vehicle started making noise, and would not move from the middle of the street. Dealer said vehicle needs new transmission.

- Elberon, VA, USA

problem #4

Aug 201998

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission locked up while driving. Dealer informed consumer that the transmission exploded internally. Dealer will not repair unless cost is to consumer.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #3

Mar 311997

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Front pump seal leaking in transmission.

- Brockway, PA, USA

problem #2

Apr 221997

(reported on)

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The automatic transmission has failed to engage into any gear directly upon starting vehicle. At other times, transmission won't upshift into 3rd and 4th gears.

- Ames, IA, USA

problem #1

Jan 021996

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles
While driving, experiences intermittent auto trans. Malfunction, when changing gear abruptly, decelerating from 60-20mph, no prior warning.

- Webster, TX, USA

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