Rear Suspension Shock Absorber Problems of Dodge Stratus

Driving over a small bump in the road, the car rear suspension made a clanging noise. Upon investigation, the left rear shock absorber top mount is broken, and the shock is loose and rattling, not performing its function to stabilizer the vehicle over standard road conditions. Loss of suspension during braking maneuver on wet roads could lead to an accident from loss of control of vehicle.

See all problems of the 2004 Dodge Stratus 🔎.

Rear shock upper mount attacked by corrosion, vehicle only 4. 5 years old and 60,500 miles. Un-painted pot metal like material broke up into multiple pieces without warning. One minute vehicle drove fine, hit a typical pavement expansion joint causing a light clunk to develop. Within two miles I pulled over to inspect because the hammering in the suspension got so bad. Found the rear shock absorber was no longer retained at the upper end. Vehicle could still be driven home gently but there was nothing retaining the coil spring to the body other than gravity. Both upper mounts were replaced with painted replacement parts from the dealer. The left rear mount had not failed yet, but corrosion was rapidly turning it into powder from the top down.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Stratus 🔎.

Rear strut mount plates disintegrated turned to powder creating unsafe condition with rear suspension. Replaced strut and plates. Have pieces what is left of it.

I was driving at about 30 mph and drove over a slight depression in the pavement when I heard a loud bang from the passenger right rear. The loud banging sound continued as long as the car was driven. I noticed a compromise in the handling of the vehicle. I took the vehicle to a registered repair shop where I have been a customer for over twenty years. I was told not to drive the vehicle since the rear strut plate top mount had disintegrated due to the fact they were made out of aluminum. The driver rear strut mount was on the verge of breaking apart also. It appears that road salt probably contributed to this situation. The replacement mounts purchased from the dealer were not made of aluminum. The following repair/parts was performed: rear shock & or strut assembly (2), upper shock mount (2).

Rear top mounts on both the rear struts corroded into several pieces. Very poor manufacturing using cheap pot metal as they were completely corroded from salt,etc. Couldn't find replacement struts in stock anywhere(out of stock and on back order cross country) and it was extremely dangerous to drive vehicle in this condition. Both struts went within a two week period and I ended up getting two used struts from a junk yard off of a 2004 Stratus which had been totalled with 2000 miles on it.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Stratus 🔎.