Two problems related to ignition have been reported for the 1998 Dodge Stratus. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Herbee motors 130 sunrise highway west islip n. Y. 11795 August 15, 2004. Attn. Service manger, the preventative recall work done on my 1998 doge Stratus is unsafe and totally unacceptable. Please see service history for Aug. 12 and Aug. 13, 2004 and refer to your invoice docs27685 dated 8/13/04 VIN 1b3ej46x0wn335688 for recall c45 floor shifter ignition park interlock. I picked up my car Friday evening Aug 13. After parking my car (placing the shift in the park position with the hand brake on) I was unable to remove the key from the ignition. I drove back to herbee motors and saw your manager charlie who assisted me. At first he was unable to remove the key with the car shift in the parked position. Then after numerous attempts he was able to remove the key and advised me to bring the car back on Monday for service. I started my car and shut it off and was able to remove the key with no effort (like normal) but the dash parking light and odometer light were still on. The key would not turn all the way to the parked position but was able to be removed. I saw charlie who verified that the key was easily removed but not going into the locked park position. The problem of key removal appears to be intermittent. After attempts, again he was able to remove the key in the proper position. He thought the hand brake had something to do with the key removal and advised not to use the hand brake. This afternoon after returning from shopping I parked my car on my driveway and thought I had placed the floor shift into the parked position and removed the key easily. I got out of the car but the shift was in the reverse position and my car rolled down my driveway into the street. The car could have killed someone or cause serious property damage very easily. Peter siniscalchi.
The ignition key was stuck in the "on position" and could not be removed. The consumer contacted the manufacturer and the dealer but no assistance was offered.