13 problems related to engine have been reported for the 1997 Dodge Stratus. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Engine exploded while parked in shopping center parking lot.
While starting vehicle it started to smoke and lose oil. Vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop and was informed of a blown head gasket. Dealer/manufacturer was not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.
Consumer informed by independent service agent that vehicle's head gasket was bad and that this had been an ongoing problem with this make and model of vehicle.
$800 head gasket repair plus $300 to replace parts it damaged.
Consumer has taken vehicle back for same problem twice. Gaskets was consistently leaking. Dealer charged consumer $500. 00 for repair.
Daimler-Chrysler has refused to reimburse me for the replacement of a faulty head gasket.
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 !.
I found out yesterday my head gasket needs replacing after doing alot of research I have found this seems to be a problem with alot of Stratus vehicles, and neon's and hope Dodge will be forced to back there problems.
Dodge Chrysler did not inform owners of a potential problem with the head gasket. There was no recall notice; instead there was a "silent recall" -- that is, owners are unaware until there is a problem.
Head gasket - have had to replace two (2) head gaskets due to leaks in three years. First one cost a deductible of $500 and the second one will cost me $250, although I know that Dodge has issued tech bulletins to address installation problems. Dodge did the good will bit in both cases by supposedly splitting the cost 50/50. This is an outrage that consumers are required to pay such hefty fees for inferior/faulty designs. Brakes - apparently the design of the calipers includes a cylinder made of some type of plastic. This plastic is not able to withstand the heat of normal braking operations and will not contract properly when cooled down. Because of this the caliper sticks in an extended position which casuses the disc pad to stay in constant contact with the rotor, thus wearing down the pad prematurely and causing possible damage to the rotors. This cost me $559 the first time and since then I have simply been changing the pads earlier than necessary to prevent further damage to the rotor. Although this has not resulted in an accident, I believe it could (or has to others?) cause an accident/fatality on an extended trip.
Dampner came defective from factory.
Consumer noticed large amount of oil under vehicle on driveway . Contacted dealer who stated that engine head gasket needed to be replaced.
Engine head gasket has prematurely blown, causing the engine to malfunction. Cause unknown. Please give any further details.