10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,384 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 engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments (Page 2 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #204

Jun 022002

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While driving 30 mph oil light on dash came on. Vehicle was taken to dealer, engine oil was all over exhaust. Dealer determined oil galley plug came out. There was a recall but this vehicle was not affected due to VIN.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #203

Apr 202002

Stratus

  • miles
Manufacturer claims to not have a silent recall on the 2.4 L engine head gaskets.

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #202

Apr 242002

(reported on)

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was leaking oil profusely out of the pressure galley hole where oil is delivered to the cylinder head, the oil continued to drip onto the transaxle and exhaust causing a burning smell. Consumer was advised that the gasket has a design flaw, but was redesigned due to so many failures to the gasket.

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #201

Apr 242002

(reported on)

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Vehicle was leaking oil profusely out of the pressure galley hole where oil is delivered to the cylinder head, the oil continued to drip onto the transaxle and exhaust causing a burning smell. Consumer was advised that the gasket has a design flaw, but was redesigned due to so many failures to the gasket.

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #200

Mar 012002

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Head gasket blewout between two cylinders. Oil was leaking from between the head and engine block. Dealer contacted..

- Illiopolis, IL, USA

problem #199

Aug 041999

Stratus

  • miles
Oil leakages while driving, vehicle taken to dealer and informed of a blown head gasket. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #198

Mar 012002

Stratus

  • miles

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

Consumer noticed oil leaking from vehicle. Consumer checked engine, and noticed the leak was coming from head gasket above exhaust manifold. Dodge has been contacted.

- Lakeville, MN, USA

problem #197

Oct 271998

Stratus

  • miles
Headgasket replaced @57000. Need another replacement @ 120000.

- Hudson, MI, USA

problem #196

Mar 012002

Stratus

  • miles
This vehicle was purchased in February of 1996. Since the date of purchase the headgasket on the vehicle has been replaced twice and is currently undergoing a third replacement. The first headgasket replacement was at the cost of the customer, the second at the cost of the dealer under a service bulletin agreement. The third replacement cost was turned down by daimler Chrysler but the local dealer offered a discount on labor to the customer for customers repeated business reasons. The head gasket should have never failed a third time after production and installation of the newly designed headgasket for the Chrysler vehicles. Customer requests full compensation for first headgasket replacement and third replacement per faulty design by daimler chysler.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #195

Jan 012002

Stratus

  • miles
Temperature gauge was registering hot. Vehicle was leaking oil. Dealership was aware of problem.

- Elizabeth, NJ, USA

problem #194

Feb 112002

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles

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

While driving head gasket leaks and the oil runs into radiator.

- Nacogdoches, TX, USA

problem #193

Nov 232000

Stratus

  • miles
There was an oil leak. Took vehicle to dealer, and they stated that engine cylinder head needed to be replaced. Recall 96 V 006 000 on engine did not include this vehicle due to VIN although it dealt with same problem.

- Marrero, LA, USA

problem #192

Aug 152001

Stratus

  • miles
Defective head gasket.

- Melrose, MA, USA

problem #191

Oct 172001

Stratus

  • miles
Vehicle was parked in driveway noticed a large puddle of oil on ground. Had vehicle towed to dealer. Informed by mechanic that engine cylinder head was leaking. Galley plug failed to seal properly. Had engine head galley plug repaired.

- Belleville, IL, USA

problem #190

Jan 012001

Stratus

  • miles
Vehicle was leaking oil. Had taken vehicle to the dealer, and the dealer stated that head gasket was defective. But they were unwilling to do anything about it.

- Franklin, GA, USA

problem #189

Nov 272000

Stratus

  • miles
While driving, my car stopped in the middle of a busy road. The timing belt had broken N.it took the dealer 3 weeks to fix it. With the head gasket, I brought the car to a service station 3 separate times to find out why it was running hot, before the problem was discovered. This happened only when the car leaked out all of the antifreeze. I have also replaced the front brakes 4 times and the rear brakes 3 times in this vehicle. I have never had to do this with any other car that I have owned.

- Millis, MA, USA

problem #188

Dec 012000

Stratus

  • miles
Head gasket failure which causes oil leak that is reported as a possible fire hazard.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

problem #187

Jul 092001

Stratus

  • miles
A loss of oil while driving. Dealer was notified, and informed of a head gasket failure. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.

- Smith Creek, MI, USA

problem #186

May 152001

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Oil leak caused engine to overheat. There is recall 96V006000, but this vehicle is not affected by recall due to VIN.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #185

May 272001

Stratus

  • miles
In Oct 1999, head gasket was replaced at 35900 miles. Went back 2 weeks later complaining of oil still leaking on my driveway. They tightened one valve cover bolt which was loose. In February, 2000, with 39500 miles, complaining that the vehicle still has an oil leak. They used an engine dye to try to detect source of leak. They test drove the car, let it run for a few hours, and could not detect any leaks. So I lived with slight oil leaks, which recently got worse, but did not notice immediately because my driveway is loaded with spots. While driving on the expressway, the head gasket blew. Construction barriers were lined up alongside the expressway. It was difficult to pull off to the side because of these barriers. This presented a real hazard. I feel it is important for a recall of Dodge Stratus 1995-1998 head gaskets to be implemented. (as well as other models which use this same type of head gasket.) head gaskets should be good for at least the typical life of a car. That is a very costly item. It already has happened twice, and I only have 50000 miles on my car. I know I will never buy another Dodge in my lifetime. My dealer has given me horrible service on numerous occasions. It was never a pleasure to get my car serviced.

- Arlington Heights, IL, USA

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