body / paint problem
7.5
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
no data
Average Mileage:
58,750 miles
Number of complaints:
4 complaints
Most common solutions:
- have car professionally repainted (2 reports)
- not sure (2 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2002 Dodge Stratus exterior black paint faded
2007Jan 01
Stratus SXT
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
My 2002 Black Dodge Stratus..well lets just say it's not black anymore!!..The paint is chipping away in places and turning white and gray.We called the Dodge dealership where it was purchased, and they will do nothing about it, claiming that there is no recall or paint defect. I have kept it in the garage and well taken care of since the day I got it, so I do not understand how this is in any way my fault..rather bad paint used by DODGE.
2005Aug 16
Stratus
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
Within a year the paint on my Black 2002 Dodge Stratus R/T started to chip off. The problem is not from being miss treated either, there are other owners in my town with the same problem, just not as bad. If anyone has any answers or solutions please contact me I am tried of driving around in a multicolored stratus
2007Oct 24
(reported on)Stratus R/T 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
Purchased my black stratus r/t new in 2002 and drove a significant amount of mileage in the first year. By 2003 the paint on the roof behind the sunroof had started to take on a white/grey tone. I went to various dealerships to have this problem looked at. I was told by one body mechanic that I just needed to buff the roof with wax and that would take care of the problem. I called Dodge on several occasions and even though I was below the 3 yr warranty by 2 years, I was over the 36000 mile warranty and they wouldn't do anything.
Fast forward a few years and 80000 miles, and the trouble spot, which is the black paint fading/peeling away, has grown and taken over the entire back section of the roof, both back quarter panels, and the top of the trunk. The paint has worn down several coats to the dull black metal. I have seen a few other cars (same year/model) with the same issue but not as severe. I was completely shocked that a car made this century would have paint issues like an early 80's vehicle... but not shocked by the poor customer service from Dodge.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2006Jul 01
Stratus R/T Coupe 3.0L V6
click to see larger images
Complaint Photos
I bought this beautiful black, shiny, spanking brand new car in June of 2002 - my first ever totally brand new, own only by me, car. Needless to say - barely five years past purchase - the paint was starting to look "ashy". All I was told to do repeatedly was wax and buff it. Well I had it waxed and washed (often detailed) religiously, so that should have never happened. Now it looks flat out terrible. The person who described the wear down of the paint to the point that it looks like an '80's oldie is right on the money. I have had nothing but used cars before this one and NONE of them EVER had that kind of issue (with the exception of one '84 Olds Cutlass Calais that had peeling roof paint, but it was already 10 years old before that started!).
I was very disappointed to search online for Dodge Stratus recalls and find that paint/body issues was not even one of them. They should back their product, right down to the 'skin'. If anyone has any luck getting through to Dodge - please let the rest of us know.
T W.
Atlanta, GA, USA
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