Nine problems related to manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe have been reported for the 1998 Dodge Stratus. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While the vehicle was parked consumer noticed fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle. . Read more...
Mechanic determined that intake manifold was cracked. And coolant spilled inside the engine and the overflow.
I recently bought a Stratus from a used car dealer and I know buyer beware. Any how, I was told by the dealership that they got it from a Dodge dealership and they said it had a head gasket leak. The dealership that I got it from said they looked it over and it wasn't a head gasket, but an oil pan leak. Anyhow, I bought it(hook-line and sinker). Went to get an inspection and was told that it was a head gasket leak. Took it to a couple others and they said it was that. So, I told the company I bought it from and got 300. 00 back . Then proceeded to take it to a Dodge dealership(gladstone Dodge) here in town. They said that it was a head gasket leak, but also said it was many other thing to the tune of 2000. 00, I didn't have the money for that so I took it to another dealership that just found a head gasket leak and a few other minor things and fixed it all for a 1000. 00. What I dont understand with all these problems with the head gasket is why they haven't been recalled? unfortunates, I don't have the old parts to this but wish I did.
Problems with vehicle's head gasket. The consumer was told that this part was not covered under warranty.
Consumer had the oil changed in the vehicle, and was told that the head blew a gasket. Manufacturer informed the consumer that the gasket was defective, but no recall was anticipated for that part.
The vehicles head gasket failed and the manifold cracked.
Massive oil leak from head gasket there is a consistant problem with the 98 (and other years) Dodge Stratus engines. The head gasket is leaking oil massively. Whe you are driving it splatters down the underside of the car, landing on the catalytic converter, the exhaust pipes and muffler. I have no fires of yet, but we have restricted use to short trips. Here is a link to a message baord with similar people with problems. . Read more...
Head gaskets fail on Chrysler 2. 4 liter engines lots of people with the same problem head gasket had to be redisigned see service bulletin # 090598 my oil was leaking from head gasket and blowing onto the exhaust manifold posing a fire risk dealer replaced head gasket however didnt cover the entire charges.
This car has been a major problem. Head gasket failed at approx 11,000 on my way to airport to pick up family on April 10, 1999. Couldn't get it in for service until April 14, 1999. Transmission clutch started catching or scraping on something shortly after head gasket was replaced, I was told when work was completed (replaced cables on 11/18/1999) that problem was manufacturer defect mileage was 18,373. Was again experiencing same problem with clutch on 2/29/2000. Upon speaking with service team, was told there was a bad bearing in the transmission and they would be replacing both the cables and transmission parts; I also asked for them to check the engine light , because it was coming on and had a strong smell of gasoline; vaccum system was replaced. On 3/24/2000 internal parts of transmission were replaced at 22,349 mi. On 06/05/2000 engine stalled and was difficult to restart, engine was running really rough, replaced mapping computer @25,008 mi. Came home from work on 8/23/2000 strong odor of gasoline. Opened hood and watched gas leaking all over exhaust manifold. Had it towed to dealership on 8/24/2000 w/ 29,539 mi. Replaced cracked fuel injectors and leaking hoses. The car is now in again because of yet the same transmission/clutch problem previously complained about. Think . . . I'm driving down I 95 with my family in my car. Transmission fails, big truck runs the car over . . . Does Chrysler want that headache?.