Stratus

• 90,000 miles

I have been having problems with my 2000 Dodge Stratus for the last 4-5 months. It all started when I was driving along and one of my spark plugs popped out. We pulled over and had it towed to the nearest Auto Supply Store. We bought new spark plugs and installed them in the parking lot. From there we headed home. The next day on my way to work the same problem happened again. I had it towed to a mechanic and was told that the plug needed to be rethreaded. That was done and we had no problems for a few weeks. Then the misfiring started. It would do it while I was going up a hill trying to accelerate. I had it towed to a Dodge dealer (still under warranty) and they told me that the front clutch seals in my transmission needed to be resealed. This was done but on the way home it started doing it again. I took it back to the dealer and they told me that there were no error codes coming from the transmission so they had no idea what the problem was. I was totally frustrated. I took it to yet another Dodge dealer and they told me that the wrong Spark plugs had been installed, that we had to use the factory plugs or it could cause random misfiring. No problem, (except for the last two mechanics that I took it to didn't tell me this at all, they saw no problem with my spark plugs). But I thought I didn't know what I was talking about so I paid for them to put in new spark plugs and wires. It ran fine after that for a couple of weeks and started doing it again just not as bad and at different times now. I took it back to the dealer and they told me that they had installed the plug wires incorrectly. Not a problem again if it will fix the problem. But surprise surprise it didn't fix a darn thing. It ran fine for a couple more weeks and then it started acting up again. It was totally different this time. When I am accelerating (always between 65-75, not accelerating hard, just trying to get up to speed) it started running VERY hard, it feels like maybe it is misfiring or stalling, and the check engine light will flash until I get up to the desired speed and I let up on the gas. I called the mechanic (couldn't take it to dealer, now out of warranty of course), and the guy said that there were 200 misfire codes on cylinder one and 350 misfire codes on cylinder 2. He told me to fix the problem that I needed new spark plugs and new spark plug wires (funny they have been changed atleast 2 times in the last couple of months, but now they need changed again). I called the other mechanic that I have been dealing with and he told me that he didn't think that that was what the problem was and for me to have it towed to his place. I had it towed there but unfortunately all of the error codes miraculously disappeared. We still don't know if the first mechanic cleared the codes or if they ever even existed. The mechanic drove it around and put over 100 miles on my car and they swear that it won't do it for them (which is funny because it does it for me EVERY time I drive my car). So they suggested the I pick up my car and drive it until the check engine light comes on again. No problem. So I picked it up and miraculously (again) it would'nt act up. Something fishy has to be going on right? Well that is what I thought. I drove it around for a month, and the problem still occurred but the check engine light wouldn't come on. Well eventually after two months the check engine light just came on again (two times in a row this time). I took it in and they said that there were no error codes and that they drove it around and of course couldn't get it to act up. I picked it up this morning and it did it for me on the way to work.

So now to my question, I have been looking online and have found some similar problems with Dodge cars and I was wondering if anyone might have a suggestion as to what may be wrong with my car. I am very frustrated. I am trying to be very patient with all of these mechanics and give them the benefit of the doubt but I am at the end of my rope. All I want is to be able to accelerate without my car feeling like it is going to explode and without the check engine light coming on.