Automatic Transmission Problems of Dodge Stratus - part 1

I am writing on behalf of the issue concerning safety and reliability of Mitsubishi/Dodge vehicles containing the f4a51 automatic transaxle (2000-05 eclipse, 2001-05 Stratus rt, 1997-2003 v6 galant) the main issue seems to be a manufacturing defect in the wave/cushion spring located in the transmission. Mitsubishi has designed the wave spring as a fragile two coil piece which has been known to repeatedly break causing catastrophic failure in the transmission. This in turn poses a threat on the driver/passengers as when this wave spring breaks, actual pieces of the spring make it through mitsubishis also faulty transmission filter and lodge themselves in the pump gear, causing the gear to break. When broken, all forward and reverse gears immediately stop functioning and in most instances the vehicle shuts off. This could result in potential harm or even death of the driver and/or passenger as the vehicle loses all moving power which can cause an accident with other vehicles on the road. Mitsubishi has recently created an updated version of the wave spring without issuing a recall, a now one piece design instead of a coil setup which is prone to breaking. To many Mitsubishi/Dodge owners this update was discovered after they have had their vehicle in a transmission shop with a hefty bill to pay even though it was mitsubishis fault for engineering a faulty part. All one person would need to find out about this issue is search the internet with the transmission code f4a51 and this issue is well documented, even researched by transmission digest. Not only is this a large inconvenience to most, it is also a hazard to ones life. Mitsubishi should recall all vehicles containing the f4a51 transmission to perform the wave spring and filter update or reimburse those who have already had it done at their cost. This is an issue that needs to be addressed as if you own a vehicle with the f4a51 your vehicle will eventually need this repair, if you are still around to do it.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Stratus 🔎.

Sometime around the middle of March 2008, after starting my car I exited to retrieve something from the trunk when I noticed that there was a loud clicking noise coming from the engine. After close inspection I was unable to detect where the sound was coming from. I eventually took it to pep boys and they informed me that it appeared to be the flywheel. And with only 33,355 mile I shouldn't be having that problem. Days later I took my '05 Dodge Stratus to aamco and they confirmed that it was the flex plate (flywheel). I finally drove to the dealer to complain. The mechanics there also confirmed the problem but regardless of what the mileage may read their computer shows my warranty had expired in September 2007. This problem may have started long before I noticed it but since I drive with my windows up and my radio on all the time, I heard nothing. I was informed by one of the technicians, that I need to get it repaired soon because the flex plate could eventually damage the starter. I'm having this repaired Tuesday, April 8, 2008. I'm also keeping all parts that need to be replaced.

See all problems of the 2005 Dodge Stratus 🔎.

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Stratus. While driving 40 mph, the contact was notified that oil was leaking from her vehicle. She took the vehicle to the mechanic and he stated that there was a leak in the hose. When the mechanic took the transmission apart, he noticed that the case was cracked. The contact stated that this should not have happened to her vehicle. The current mileage was 36,915 and failure mileage was 36,907.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Stratus 🔎.

On two separate crashes car came out of park and into reverse. First time broke mirror off of drivers door, thought maybe didn't have it all the way in park until one week later car was in park got out while car was running with two passengers inside after about 5 minutes with me standing in the door car kicked out of park and into reverse running me down. Door got stuck in dirt and bend backwards crushing the fender. Called one Dodge dealer and they denied there being a recall on the transmission and was told it was impossible for car to kick out of park and into reverse. Called a second dealer and was told yes there had been a recall and he looked up my VIN # and said my car had been repaired. My husband said that it was possible to take car out of park and into reverse without the key being in and unlocked. Car can also be bumped into neutral while driving on highway.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Stratus 🔎.

I have a 1998 Dodge Stratus ES. The transmission will place itself in neutral at random times while at a stop. The only way to get the transmission working again is to restart the car. The car has the power-stick transmission.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Stratus 🔎.

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated that when she attempted to accelerate, the vehicle felt as if it would stall and failed to move. The failure has occurred every day since the vehicle was purchased. She also stated that the vehicle would not start when the key was turned in the ignition. She has not taken the vehicle to the mechanic. The current and failure mileages were 69,000.

I purchased my vehicle in July 2005. The vehicle was okay until Feb-2006, the transmission stopped shifting. This caused the vehicle to jerk very hard and loose power. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist 3 times and still was not repaired. I was told that he could not fix it. The vehicle is still doing the same thing and on top of it losing power, it cuts off. This is very unsafe and can cause an accident.

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.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Stratus 🔎.

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.

Stalling at toll booths, stoplights, and crossing intersections.

See all problems of the 2004 Dodge Stratus 🔎.

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.

The key can be removed from the vehicle without vehicle being in park. Also, shifts gears without the key being in the ignition. Vehicle was taken to dealer on the transmission shift interlock.

Vehicle was parked in the driveway it rolled backward and hit another vehicle. Consumer contacted the dealer. Then, consumer received a recall 04v021000 concerning ignition interlock. Consumer was concerned because a collsion occurred and the problem had nort been resolved.

Vehicle rolled forward while parked and struck a house. There was no key in the vehicle at the time of the accident. The manufacturer denied the claim. Recall o4v021000 was issued for this problem. A recall noticed was received a week later for the park interlock .

Transmission malfunctioned. As a result, when shifting vehicle jerked.

I own a 1999 Dodge Stratus and it has one hundred forty three thousand miles on it and the transmission started pouring out trany fluid and they tell me I need to replace it, I did all scheduled maintainances on this vehicle and I find it hard to beleive I need to replace the transmission so soon.

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.

Dealer replaced automatic transmission at very low mileage. Also, replaced steering pump at cost of $200, the deductible.

While driving the automatic transmission went out. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop. The transmission had to be replaced. The transmission lasted for only 1 and a half years.

Auto transmission destroyed itself with only 45,000 miles on car.

While the vehicle is running or in drive if the emergency brake is not on . The vehicle will accelerate on its own. The dealership is aware of the problem. Mr.

Vehicle would not shift out of first. Engine check light illuminated, and vehicle would shift to second gear. Consumer could not get over 20 mph. Consumer feels vehicle may be rear ended. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide any further information.

The problem with the brakes is that they do not stop the car. It feels like when you hit the brakes that the transmission won't disengage. It may not really be a disengagement problem but the brakes have never been good at stopping the car. When you hit the brakes the car nosedives but feels like it won't stop. It is like you have to get out of the seat and stand on the brakes. The feel is like the old brakes that had heat build up. You would get that outgassing that would resist pedal pressure. This has resulted in many near accidents and finally an accident. I also drive a pick up truck and those brakes work much better. I beleive there is an inherent defect with the brakes. It is also possible there is a frame problem. I don't see how a less than 10 mph accident could crush the hood and the front end to over 2600 bucks of damage. No damage to the car I hit except for a couple of chips in the paint on the bumper.

Our transmission had at least 1500 dollars worth of damage from the factory. The local Dodge dealer 's service dept sees at least one per week. It doesn't seem right.

See all problems of the 1997 Dodge Stratus 🔎.

I requested recall inspection for transmission power train on 6-19-2000. While looking for info on my Dodge Stratus 9 8 on your website I accessed recalls and noticed that their were two for this car. One was for brake recall and I was notified by huntsville Dodge and took the car in for the inspection the other recall was for power train transmission problem the recall date was owner notification oct 1998 I purchased this car in Dec 98 and according to the info at that time this car was on there lot at the time of recall notification. I took the recall info to dealer and asked if that recall inspection was done while the car was in there possession and on there lot before it was sold to me in Dec 98. They looked it up I guess by VIN and told me no it was not I asked them to do it while they had it there. They said they would and did. My question and possible complaint to you is should not they have been required to do the recall inspection while in there possession at the car lot before being allowed to sell the car. Thank you.

Vehicle hesitates when shifting, transmission jerks. Took vehicle to dealer 11 times, could not remedy. Dealer stated Dodge knows there is problem, but does not know how to resolve it at this time.

Transmission was repaired, alomost one month later the transmission brain has now gone out.

I have contacted Dodge without any help. The representative I talked to was very insensitive to the problem I called in about. I know of 2 different individuals that had the same problem and got it fixed, even after the warranty was out. I had no option but to have the car towed and fixed. The car is only 2 and 1/2 years old and is only driven on the expressway. I don't understand how this could happen. Please contact me with any info. No safety defect listed in the summary.

With no prior warning, I was driving my car on a busy street and when I tried to accelerate, the car acted like it had been put in neutral. I limped it over to a transmission place and they put a machine on it. The third gear is out so we had to have it rebuilt. The cost to do this is $1650. 00. It doesn't seem that a vehicle should have to have a new transmission with only 9,000 miles out of warranty. We previously had trouble with this car because we were stranded at night with 3 children in the car on the freeway due to the timing belt being shredded at 23,000 miles. We had to be towed to a dealership and rent a vehicle to get home (70 miles away). After that, we had trouble with the manifold. We had a cracked manifold and I had to repeatedly go back and argue that there was something wrong. I finally got it replaced after 3 visits and a week long stay, it was fixed. Now that we have been having these troubles, we thought we should file a complaint.

Gear shift moves when car is in park. This item was recalled, and car was suppose to be fixed. But has been in shop 3 times, and still wasn't fixed. Recall 98v183000.

The small pin that holds the larger pin for the spider gear assembly failed allowing the larger pin to come out of the housing and put a hole into the side of the transmission housing.

See all problems of the 1996 Dodge Stratus 🔎.

It would stick when I would put my car into drive or reverse and the engine started sounding louder than it should when I accelerated. Then on Friday October 1, 1999 as I was increasing speed from 35 to 45mph the rpm gage started spinning. Though I had my foot on the gas the speed did not increase and it felt like my wheels locked up. I have been told that I am missing third gear.

Transmission malfunctioned while driving, causing the vehicle to lose power. Dealer has replaced the module prior to this incident. The manufacturer has been notified.

Manufacturer will not assist with apparent known transmission problems. Manufacturer agreed to pay half for apparent known head gasket problem. When will there be recalls for these two known problems.