10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,574 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.

1997 Dodge Stratus engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Dodge Stratus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1997 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments (Page 3 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #77

Mar 132001

Stratus

  • miles

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

I took my car in for service because of an oil leak and was told that it was a faulty head gasket. My repair bill totals $1400 and Chrysler is saying that they will do nothing about it. If it were still under 50,000 miles then they would have provided 'some type of assistance'. I would like to know when something is going to be done about this. It has been a major problem for quite some time now and surely there are enough incidents to support a mandatory recall of these vehicles.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #76

Feb 162001

Stratus

  • miles
My first head gasket was replaced 03/26/1998. Here it is three years later and it goes again? a call was placed to Chrysler on 02/28/2001, and they even stated that the head gaskets are bad and a new one should do the trick. Why should I have to pay for a second head gasket, when the very first one should have lasted the life of the car. This is absolutely ridiculous. Today, I am sending a registered letter to Chrysler as well.

- Lockport, NY, USA

problem #75

Feb 232001

Stratus

  • miles
Daimler-Chrysler has refused to reimburse me for the replacement of a faulty head gasket.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

problem #74

May 012000

Stratus

  • miles

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

Engine head gasket is leaking oil from the back of the engine

- Brooklyn Park, MN, USA

problem #73

Jul 011998

Stratus

  • miles
Vehicle was brought in for timing gear belt pulley system. Car engine winded really loud. Engine head gasket was blown and leaking oil, foamy whit residue formed around inside of oil cap. Dealer told consumer that may be a manufacturer's defect. Gasket has been replace almost 4 times.

- La Plata, MD, USA

problem #72

Jan 012000

Stratus

  • miles
The headgasket blew out and the repairman said to check if there was a recall because he has seen and heard about alot of the Stratus' blowing the headgasket as I am looking on your website I see that he is correct there are alot of cases of blowing the headgasket. Was there a recall is the dealer going to fix this problem?

- Fountain, CO, USA

problem #71

Feb 022001

Stratus

  • miles

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

Everything seemed to go wrong with this car. I am just glad nothing major happened while mytwo-yr old was present in the car. I was told I had a crack in the head cylinder when I bought the car. This is not a car I would recommend anyone should buy !

- Plainfield, NJ, USA

problem #70

Feb 222001

(reported on)

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling head gasket leaked oil on to exhust resulting in a fire. Independent mechanic pointed out that head gasket leaking oil on to the exhaust pipe was a common problem with that type of engine. But the dealer did not believe the statement.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #69

Feb 122001

Stratus

  • miles
I put my car in for an oil change every 3,000 miles. Today, when I had my oil changed, my mechanic advised me that I have a head gasket oil leak and that this is a common problem with Dodge vehicles. My 3 year warranty expired in October, but I am hearing that this should be covered under a 5 year warranty. I would like warnock to repair this problem, under warranty.

- West Orange, NJ, USA

problem #68

May 312000

Stratus

  • miles
The head gasket has been replaced twice.

- Freeport, PA, USA

problem #67

Jan 132001

Stratus

  • miles

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

Coolant was getting into oil. Vehicle taken to an independent shop, and informed consumer that 2.4L engine had a head gasket failure. Manufacturer was not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #66

Jan 162001

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles
While traveling vehicle was making noise. Consumer checked oil and noticed oil was low. Technician stated head gasket needed to be replaced.

- South Haven, MI, USA

problem #65

Dec 192000

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Head gasket blewout. Dealer will not repair it free of charge.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #64

May 232000

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles
Timing belt snapped at 15000 miles.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #63

May 232000

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles
The head gasket failed resulting in oil leakage, the oil indicator never worked properly.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #62

Jan 081998

Stratus

  • miles
'head gasket' - we bought a new 1997 Dodge Stratus in March of 1997. At 20,718 miles the head gasket failed badly. It took several weeks to get it fixed (under warranty) while the part was redesigned. The head gasket was fine until 72,000 miles - at that point it failed again. I do not feel I should have to pay for an obvious design defect. I know the problem is widespread and the part has been redesigned several times. 'headrests' - on our 1997 Dodge Stratus the adjustable headrests have broken - the padded headrest breaks free from the metal posts holding it to the chair. We had the passenger headrest replaced - it is now broken again as well as the driver's side. They break from the pressure of adjusting the height of the headrest. This seems unsafe to me - they break quite easily.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #61

Nov 292000

Stratus

  • miles
Apparantly all Dodge Stratus head gaskets are failing and it is not covered under the warranty. I guess Dodge will sell you a cheap car and make up the difference by charging you a fortune to fix their mistakes.

- St. Gabriel, LA, USA

problem #60

Nov 202000

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
There was an oil leak. Took to dealer, and dealer said it was a head gasket problem.

- Portland, ME, USA

problem #59

Nov 282000

(reported on)

Stratus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer noticed large amount of oil under vehicle on driveway. Contacted dealer who stated that engine head gasket needed to be replaced.

- Mentor, OH, USA

problem #58

Nov 052000

Stratus

  • miles
A fan belt was loose. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer told consumer that it was a bad leak coming from cylinder head gasket. Consumer is still having the problem.

- Charleston, WV, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?