Table 1 shows one common vehicle speed control related problems of the 2004 Dodge Stratus.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control problems |
Car has shut down while driving on highway and on city street. Sometimes the steering wheel will lock up and be hard to turn. Sometimes speedometer will stop working correctly. Car will shut down.
Lately when I drive my car the check engine light will come on and then a couple minutes after it comes on the steering will lock up. It has done this multiple times within the last couple of months. The first time I was able to get it started again but then the speedometer wouldn't work. After the first time I thought it was fixed but now whenever it malfunctions the car shuts off on its own and will not start again until its been sitting untouched for at least 10 minutes. This has happened in town (25 mph) and on roads up to 55 mphs.
The contact owns as 2004 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated independently as the brakes were applied. The driver shifted the vehicle into park and the vehicle stopped moving but the engine rpms continued to fluctuate rapidly. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,252.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Stratus. The contact started the vehicle and placed it into drive. There was an unusual increase in engine rpms and the vehicle immediately accelerated to speeds of 40 mph without warning. The contact attempted to brake, but the brakes would not engage. The vehicle proceeded to crash into two pedestrians as well as another vehicle. The vehicle continued accelerating and the contact engaged the emergency brake. He continued to depress the brake pedal and maneuvered the vehicle over a curb. The contact then attempted to reverse the vehicle off of the curb and the vehicle then abnormally accelerated in reverse. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The ambulance and police arrived at the scene. Two pedestrians, the contact and the passenger in the contact's vehicle were seriously injured and transported to the hospital via ambulance. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact stated the vehicle had been to the dealer eight times prior to the failure with concerns of higher than normal engine rpms. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure each time and advised the vehicle was safe to drive. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 150,000. Updated 11/03/10.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that when waiting at a traffic light, the vehicle would lunge forward. In order to get the vehicle to come to a complete stop she had to apply pressure to the brakes as hard as she could. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic on several occasions and they advised her that the failure was caused by the brakes, rotors, and calipers. The vehicle was repaired. After the vehicle was repaired the failure continued to occur. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
Car after running the first few miles,when stopped at a light the car accelerate by it self. You can feel it pulling when brakes are on. Have taken it they drive it does not do it they say car is ok. It's true this happens may be once or twice a month. But I need to know if their has been any complaints about this vehicle having similar problems.
The contact stated vehicle had a problem stopping. The rpms revved when the brake was applied. The vehicle surged forward while trying to stop. The problem seemed to be intermittent. The contact owned the car since July 205, and this happened five times. She has been working with the dealer to see if the problem could be resolved. The dealer has done diagnostic testing and found no solution. Chrysler offered her no solution to the problem or any free remedy. The vehicle has been in to the dealer twice. The contact's vehicle rear ended a car as a result of the surging.
When putting the vehicle in reverse it surged backwards. This caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, and hit a brick wall. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection.
While coming to a stop vehicle revved at a high rate. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.