NHTSA — Seat Belts: Rear/Other Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

CarComplaints.com Notes: The Dodge Stratus, Intrepid & other Chrysler sedans are infamous for oil sludge problems with the 2.7L V6 engine. If someone offers to sell you a 2.7L V6 model, it's only worth the price of the scrap metal it's going to shortly turn into.

NOTE: Only the 2.7L V6 has the oil sludge problem. Our "Avoid like the Plague" designation is ONLY for models with the 2.7L V6 engine. All other available engines are very reliable with no major problems.

Even with regular maintenance, the oil sludge defect eventually destroys the 2.7L engine typically around 80,000-100,000 miles. The only true fix we know about is to put in the larger 3.2L engine, which has a great reputation. Also the 2.4L engine doesn't have the oil sludge problem.

This issue was never deemed a safety defect by the Feds, so there was no recall. In the end, Chrysler got away with FOUR YEARS worth of defective 2.7L V6 engines in their sedans.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,176 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.

2000 Dodge Stratus seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2000 Dodge Stratus Owner Comments

problem #5

Feb 162008

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,800 miles

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

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that the rear seat belt buckles failed. Therefore, the base of the child seat does not lock properly on the seat. The current and failure mileages were 56,800. Updated 03-11-08 on both rear seat belts, the plastic mechanism that was attached to the seat belt latch snapped off. Without the mechanism securely in place, the belt slides around. Updated

- Miami, FL, USA

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problem #4

Dec 142005

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 109,080 miles
The contact stated both rear side seat belt adjustors broke. This occurred while attempting to adjust the seat belts. The vehicle has not been seen by a dealer. Updated 02/07/06.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

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problem #3

Jun 082004

Stratus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
2000 Dodge Stratus SE rear passanger and driver side retractable shoulder seatbelts do not "catch" to properly restrain person. Angle of install prevents mechanism from properly working. Proved to service manager duane nelson bonnevill & son manchester, nh 603-624-9280X558. Duane called Chrysler and was told that they designed it that way since rear passengers moved around alot or child seats were frequently used (therefore nullifying the restraint feature of the sholder portion). They didn't want the belt to be too restricting. Furthermore Chrysler stated that in a crash or hard stop the front of the car is forced downward and the rear upwards, resulting in the seatbelt mechanism being in a proper angle and engaging. Seems like a very poor design as any other vehicle I have pulled on a seat belt with my and and it quickly catches. I have no faith in this and don't care to get in an accident with my children in back to find out if they are telling the truth or not! I was mortified after driving my childeren around for 3 years in this car that the seatblets were apparently defective. Please see complaint number 10015524 as proof of this failure.

- Pembroke, NH, USA

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problem #2

Apr 092003

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles
The vehicle was involved in an accident 8/2002. Three children seated in the back with vehicle seat belt on were ejected from the vehicle. The children's ages are 6, 7, and 10 years old. The car is no longer in service.

- Amsterdam, NY, USA

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problem #1

Apr 092003

(reported on)

Stratus

  • miles
The vehicle was involved in an accident 8/2002. Three children seated in the back with vehicle seat belt on were ejected from the vehicle. The children's ages are 6, 7, and 10 years old. The car is no longer in service.

- Amsterdam, NY, USA

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