Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
080300608/25/20060803006A10021239Powertrain control module initialization. *kb03/23/2007
210090310/02/2005210180510003524Automatic transmission diagnostic teardown procedure. various models including the 2004 ram truck, durango, sebring convertible, cherokee, vision, neon, and voyager. *tt *sc10/22/2003
210010207/01/2002635719Some vehicles may have a transaxle that will not move or slips in reverse or first gear. *tt10/30/2002
210060103/16/2001211699621898Automatic transmission fluid usage atf+4. *tt *mj10/03/2001
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
080150503/02/200510013731Powertrain control module initialization. *sc04/26/2005
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
2710/01/200210000330The transaxle low/reverse accumulator cover o-ring on certain vehicles may become dislodged. *tt02/24/2003
0202010/23/200210000329Delayed transaxle engagement after initial start up. *tt02/24/2003
0201208/05/200202007635704Some vehicles may experience a slipping or no drive condition in reverse or first gear. *tt10/30/2002
0201208/21/200202012635706Some vehicles may experience a slipping or no drive condition in reverse or first gear. *tt10/30/2002

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
05/01/2003104/21/2003
 Within one week of purchase the consumer had to have a new transmission installed. now the brake lights illuminated when the vehicle made turns. the vehicle was taken to the dealer but the consumer was told that they will not look at it because the vehicle was not under warranty. the consumer wants to know what she can do. *nlm
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
04/12/20063
 I drive a 2002 dodge stratus,at 40,000 miles transmission completely failed costing me 1300 dollars to replace,at 62,000 the second transmission failed me again,another 1300 dollars,now at 90,000 miles transmission is having problems down shifting on a downward incline,3,000 miles ago i was driving at 35 mph when the lower ball joint completely broke on driver side, wheel came completely off costing me 700 dollars to repair,was just informed the passenger side is going out now. *tr
11/18/200563067207/31/2003
 02/2005 - during normal commute hours, i noticed my transmission slipping during acceleration. took it into the dealership (63,067 odometer), they said that the transmission cooler lines were leaking and both hoses needed to be replaced.( i park my car in the same spot at work and at home, and hadn't noticed any leakage) i was assured that although there were no spots, that should fix the problem along with a flush, clean, and conditioner. unfortunately, those parts weren't covered under my extended warranty.($406.62 in repairs) nothing was listed or mentioned about any other parts that needed to be replaced. 11/2005 - on my way to work, the transmission starts slipping again and went out on me. this time i'm being told i need a front pump, valve body, and torque converter ($2,900 in repairs). with 81,000+ miles on the car, and now out of warranty, i'm being told there is nothing they can do about it. *nm
09/22/200559000108/26/2002
 The automatic transmission failed at 59,000 miles on my 2002 dodge stratus. the vehicle started to make a popping sound under the hood on the drivers side. the sound was intermittent for about 3 months. on september 22, 2005, the vehicle began to make a loud whistling sound and started to shift hard and/or delay shift. i took the vehicle to a repair shop and it was diagnosed with a hard part transmission failure. the total cost of repair was $2100.00 and the vehicle went out of warranty at 50,000 miles. *jb
06/30/200501/01/2005
 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.
01/27/200560500408/28/2002
 Transmission solenoid leaking along with transmission hose lines. solonoid was covered in warranty. hose lines and clamps were not. car had only 60k. book specifies transmission service at 100k. i contend that the clamps used on the lines are not able to adjust to the aging hose and cannot last the recommended service time. adjustable clamps were employed to correct the issue.*ak
01/14/200452500203/15/2003
 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. *nm
12/09/2004640001
 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. *jb
11/07/2004110000110/10/2002
 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. *ak
09/16/2004431251
 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
09/21/20044444202
 Consumer complained about a transmission problem. while stepping on the accelerator pedal transmission did not goe into gear. consumer heard a whining sound, then vehicle popped, and went into gear. however, the whining sound did not not stop. *ak
02/03/2004380001
 While driving at 20 mph automatic transmission failed. *ak
01/31/200414500104/10/2002
 Transmission is leaking about 1qt of fluid per week. only 15,000. miles on the vehicle. *ak
368001
 The vehicle experienced a problem with the transmission. please provide further details.................. *jb
1
 Consumer states while driving at normal speed vehicle is jerking. *ak
01/07/2003501/07/2003
 I am so dissatisfied with my 2002 dodge stratus se. ever since i bought my car in jan 2003, i have had more problems with this car than any other. my car leaks fluids constantly, my breaks don't work when applied, my car hesitates in all weather circumstances, my windshield makes a crackling noise, my doors squeak along with my trunk lid. not to mention that i get anywhere from 10-15 miles per gallon for gas. i drive for about 40 min and half of my gas is gone!!! this vehicle is a hazard to the road and anyone or thing it comes in contact with :-( i never recommend my car to anyone and am ashamed to say it's mine. dodge is definately one dealer that i wil never ever ever buy another car from!!!!! *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES
12/15/200440900102/10/2002
 Transmission cooler hoses cracked causing leak of transmission oil. hoses had to be replaced at owner expense. old part is available. *jb
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - FLOOR SHIFT
08/01/200440000303/17/2003
 While parked, the vehicle engage into drive or reverse. *ak the knob was extremely sensitive and the least little touch and or bump would change the gears. *sc *jb