Automatic Transmission problems of the 2002 Dodge Stratus

Several months ago I began noticing that the transmission on the vehicle was not shifting down in a smooth manner. I went to the local Dodge dealership and talked with the service manager, explained the problems I was experiencing and asked for advice on what to do. The service manager said that with the computer operated transmission, that the computer is a little slow and not to worry about it. Recently however the problem has been increasing in both frequency and severity. To the point when I am comming to a stop at a stop light or stop sign the vehicle surges forward as I come to a stop and it shifts to the lowest gear. If the trend continues I can see this either destroying the transmission or causing an accident as the surge pushes the vehicle forward. The service department at the local dealership refuses to diagnose the problem and contends that it is just a slow computer and will not cause any problems.

Car hesitated to go into gear, next day, just driving down the road and it stops pulling. The transmission went completely out,right in the middle of an intersection!hauled it to a garage, the transmission is completely shot. Will cost $1200. 00 to $1500. 00 to replace. If someone was in heavy traffic when this happened this would be extremely dangerous! from what I have been reading this is a very common problem in these vehicles. It is a 2002 Dodge Stratus se. I will have to borrow the money to have it fixed, as so many people have from what I have read about these and many other Dodge vehicles.

1st occurree was shortly after purchasing the vehicle. Engine light came on, needed new egr valve. After full inspection of vehicle on a very bright day I found slices in side walls of two tires and the door panel drivers side was broken. Car brought to dealer, said to have ordered parts and replaced tires. Tires not replaced. Few weeks later, front tire blow out. Major ordeal with dealer and warranty company to be re-imbursed. Shortly after that car became very sluggish, check engine light came on and an odor or burning rubber was present. Brought vehicle to dealer was informed the soleinoid to transmission was cligged andwas replaced at my cost. Two weekes later the entire transmission went vehicle had 58,000 miles. Had vehicle towed to a dealer close by to have repairs completed, place of purchase dealer stated noone works on our vehicles. Car transported and transmission replaced. Next after transmission was replaced, same problem occurred and vehicle became disabled, results a speed control sensor in transmission was replaced at my cost out of pocket. Again just yesterday, vehicle became disabled, towed to dealer now awaiting disposition.

Engine light came on 9/15/04, took it to dealer on 9/16/04 and was informed the transmission was bad and needed replaced. My car at the time of faliure had 43,125 miles on and that is it, there was no prior warning or knowledge of the transmission going bad, I have had the car serviced just as the manual says to and there was no warning. The consequences of this is it cost me $1325 dollars to have the transmission re-built. The entire transmission had to be re-built. *a.

I brought car to dealership before warranty ended for transmission work. The said they fixed it but 17,000 miles later transmission went completely out. Dealer says it is now my problem to get fixed.

Consumer states while driving at normal speed vehicle is jerking.

The vehicle experienced a problem with the transmission. Please provide further details. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .