Seven problems related to steering have been reported for the 2004 Dodge Stratus. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Dodge Stratus based on all problems reported for the 2004 Stratus.
I have noticed when I am turning my steering wheel to the left or right there appears to be somewhat of a lack of control and loosening of the front end of my vehicle as I am driving. Also, the suspension on my vehicle has become much more pronounced negatively.
As I am turning the steering wheel when driving or idle the steering is making a squeaking/creaking noise I believe it has to do with recall: 10e059000 front control arm - lower arm.
The ball joint on the lower control arm assembly separated causing the front passenger side wheel to turn to the right and preventing the driver from being able to steer the car. The vehicle was in motion driving in a straight line when it happened. This is similar to NHTSA recall #10e059000 and #09e056000. I think the control arm was the original factory part. I'll attach pictures with the part number.
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.
Lower left front suspension arm ball joint broken. The outer bearing carrier, fell away from the suspension arm, pulling the half shaft out of the transmission, and the wheel/tire assembly jammed up in the wheel well with a complete loss of steering control. The vehicle was in motion just following a turn, in a parking area.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that the steering wheel became loose around the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic, who advised the contact of a recall that was not related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 90,000.