Engine problems of the 1996 Dodge Stratus

One of the oil galley plugs on the 2. 4l engine of our daughter's 1996 Dodge Stratus came out, and the car spewed most of its oil out into the engine compartment. Chrysler had a recall (#671) on these back in 1995 as several fires occurred. Our VIN fell within the range of vins affected, but we were told it was not part of the recall. The recall ended with cars manufactured oct. 13, 1995 and our car (we were told) was manufactured oct. 14th. The fix as of that date was a change to the cylinder head machining and the plug thickness. Obviously, either our engine is one from before the change was fully implemented, or the change was not a cure all, as the plug on ours came out. Their solution for affected engines was a bracket that bolts on to retain the plugs, but no one at the 1-800 number nor at the dealership could tell me if it would fit or work on our engine with the supposed machining changes. Parts and labor will likely be only around $100, but they will not cover the repair even with the proximity of recall date to our manufacture date, the fact that our car had the same problem as cars that were recalled, and this being a safety issue. Hope they are 100% correct that our car should not have been included in the recall, seems like a risk on their part to not cover this.

I own a 96 Dodge Stratus, I purchased it year of 97. I received numerous recalls on this vechicle since the day of purchased. I followed up on each recall that I received. As time went on I had numerous problems with this vehicle. Over the years I aways believe in Chrysler products to be safe and sound. I feel that it's been truly unfair too loyal consumers such as myself many others. I don't understand why a company such as Chrysler and engineers would engineered a product like the Dodge Stratus with so many defects. On Saturday November 5, 2005 I went to pay a bill about five to ten miles away from home. Return home, park the car, lock the doors went into my apartment. About ten minutes later a neighborhood boy knock on my door and said your gold car is on fire. I ran outside to see, yes it was my car on fire! fire was coming from underneath the hood. I called the fire department, they arrive about ten minutes later to put the fire out. The fireman had to break the hood latch to get into the engine area to put out the fire. The fire destroy my motor and hood. Thank god myself or my kids wasn't in the car! I'm truly sadden that this have to happen to me and my family I'm single parent with no transportation. After the investigation of the cause of fire it was determine that the oil gallery plug was faulty. My insurance coverage wouldn't coverage it.

On 12/18/1997 I purchased a 1996 Dodge Stratus at a buy here pay here lot that went out of business. Within 6 months of owning the vehicle I was backing out of a sloped driveway. I felt a bump and kept driving. Before I could reach the end of the street my oil lamp came on. I stopped at the gas station check the oil and discovered I needed oil. I put oil in the car and got on the interstate. My car all of a sudden stopped pulling. After the car was towed to the shop the dealership informed me that the oil pan had a hole in it and most likely got it during the bump. I had to get a new motor for the car which a $500 deductible had to be paid by me and the other $3600 was paid by allstate(my insurance company). Last year in late April the same thing happened again and the car hasn't been repaired since or of course driven. The second time the car started smoking and someone called the fire department. I then had the car towed home.

It all began when we purchased a brand new 1996 Dodge Stratus in oct 1995. The car gave us little if any trouble the first year. The second year and every year since it has been a#1 headache. The second year alone the car was in the shop 17 times. The repairs were major ones as well as minor ones including replacement of air compressor on air conditioner, starter, replacement of head gasket twice once at 11565 miles second at 20495 miles and guess what now at 69000 miles. Thank goodness the first two were covered under warranty. I filed a complaint within the warranty period with the dealership, the attorney general as well as good old Chrysler. I was told by Chrysler I could always buy an extended warranty anfd they would open a complaint file on me so that if any of the same problems occured, I could contact them. Well I have contacted them but they say they can't do anything. Talk about customer service huh!!!!! I am not willing to accept that answer. I think Chrysler has to admit there is a problem and correct this at no cost. There are too many people having the same problem I am.

Vehicle would severely brittle while driving, vehicle taken to dealer and informed of body and rack mounts needed to be replaced. Manufacturer was notified. Feel free to provide any further infromaton.

Manufacturer claims to not have a silent recall on the 2. 4 l engine head gaskets.

Defective head gasket.

When we bought this car, 1999, the head gasket was supposively fixed by robert hutsons, now 2 years it has done it again, and robert hutsons, and Chrysler said because of miles they aren't responsible for fixing this again.

Consumer noticed a little leak. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and they said it was engine head gasket.

Consumer has to put a quart of oil a day. Seal isn't holding fluid. Dealer has really explained too much of problem or what cause was.

I am also told that I have a bad head gasket and I dont know if the recall for it was done on the vehicle. How do I check to make sure I'm not being lied to. The recall I beleive for an oil plug.

Seal of engine cylinder head is not sealed properly causing gasoline to leak all over road. Dealership is aware of problem. Dealership will not fix due to out of warranty.

The valve cover gasket has developed a severe leak. My research indicates that a number of other vehicle owners have reported this problem as well.

I have only had this car for one year and I cannot believe that for a 1996 Dodge Stratus I have already had a head gasket ($600. 00) and a transmission replaced. Need help with any recalls on these. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Head gasket problem.

Shifter cables stretched, advised it was a common problem, but no recall. Headgasket is also a common failure in this vehicle but still no recall/with a potential fire hazard.

Chrysler refuses to acknowlege their faulty head gasket problem and expects consumer to pay for new engine.

The head gasket on lots of Stratus/cirrus/breeze has been leaking. I was told by 4 mechanics that they have had lots of problems with this. I hope by teling you this it will make Chrysler pay for my repair and also others with the same problem. I hope your intent is to make sure people are safe and happy with there major purchases. The second largest investment for most people. Thank you .

I noticed a leak, thought it was the valve cover, but was tipped off that it would probably be the cam sensor. But found out that it is the head gasket.

There is a leakage within the engine head gasket.

Consumer stated the head gaskets have been replaced 4 times, also the timing cover was replaced.

Engine head oil galley plugs failed prior to recall.

Experiencing continued malfuntion of headgasket. Called dealer several times and sent certified letter. . . Never received any response. Currently adding 2-3 quarts of oil per week so as not to damage engine. Have had service employee say he's seen several of them. . . But no recall has been confirmed. Taken to several area mechanics and were told absolutely should not happen in a car less than 3 years old. Not received any response/advice/proposed solution other than "repair will cost you at least $1,000). Have had other Stratus owners say encountering same. . . "if you push. . . They will fix" have tried. . . . No response. Will try again to contact Chrysler direct. Can you help.

Engine cylinder head/oil galley plug does not seal properly,causing damage to head gasket and cylinder head . Vehicle was not included in the recall # 96v00600 .

Leaking engine head gasket seal could cause consumer to blow the engine.

While backing out of the driveway, the driver noticed oil on the ground. Took to a mechanic and he said the gaskets, seals, etc. , need replacing. Please provide any further information.

Vehcle not included in recall 96v00600, the engine cylinder head oil galley plug does not seal properly, and the engine cylinder head oil is not adequately retained. Please give any further details.

While in motion, the vehicle's passenger compartment began to fill with smoke and the warning lights began to flash. While trying to come to a stop, consumer found that the brakes and power steering were inoperable. Consumer was able to stop the vehicle before the fire began in the engine compartment.

While driving the engine rod blew, cracking the cylinder wall, and resulting in a fire. Dealer and manufacurer have been notified.