Three problems related to engine belts and pulleys have been reported for the 2002 Dodge Stratus. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Dodge Stratus based on all problems reported for the 2002 Stratus.
Noticed slight gear slippage travelling 35-45mph. All fluids checked, at proper levels. A week later, engine 'jerked' when coming to complete stop, check eng light illuminated. Progressively worsened. Once engine warmed up, started hearing a 'whirring' noise from lower-middle area of engine. Stopped @ local repair shop, they checked fluids and vac hoses, noise stopped, but noticed coolant in reservoir side 3/4 full & boiling, temp gauge on dash 'normal'. Next day, while cold, I checked coolant level in reservoir (left side) still full, (hadn't flowed back thru system once cool). I added water to 'fill line', checked condition of pressure cap (looked fine), placed & tightened, started engine, let run a few minutes, loosened 'air bleeder' on top of coolant bleeder hsng. Then I slowly shifted thru all gears, w/foot on brake, let air bleed til solid stream of liquid and shut car off. Waited an hour, started up and drove. Ck eng lt= off. Fine for a few days, same issues started up again. Louder 'whirring', like a belt or band slipped. Irratic shifting, trans never failed. Ran both code tests on dashcluster=no dtcs. Jan 2014-drove to Dodge dealership: disposition: replace mopar 41te trans. My lost wages / loss of veh use(Dec/Jan) + burden of a loan to replace the transmission = more than I paid in full to buy the car barely 6 months ago. Unfair to customers: ongoing computer and pcm/transmission failure since 1999. The 'oops' tech spec-correct trans fluid atf+4 how many damaged & failed transmissions? refused to honor powertrain warranty!! and continued placing. Shame on all of the corporate executives & engineers that got rich from robbing the consumers. You were 'successful failures' mopar, Chrysler-Dodge-daimer-iacocca, etc. 90+ tsbs, no recalls. Class actions dismissed! time for the consumers to prevail. Time for a California class action!!.
My 2002 Dodge Stratus se's 2. 7 litre v6 200hp engine completely failed. The mechanic at the first shop said my timing belt was bad, and that my engine, even though maintained was sludged. My vehicle is currently being held at a dealership for possible repair. They said that for $5850 I can have a new engine with a 12,000 mile, or 12 month warranty- I am not shelling out near $6000 for a new engine when it has a 12,000 mile warranty.
Defective timing belt tension. Ph.