2001 Dodge Stratus steering problems

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”

“I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS NOW WITH LITTLE PROBLEMS. HAD A FEW OIL CHANGES AND SOME BRAKE WORK DONE TO IT. BUT IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE CHANGED ALL THE CALIPERS IN THIS CAR 2 TO 3 TIMES THE BREAK PADS MANY TIMES THE BALL JOINTS THE ROADERS THE SWING ARM AND THE CLUSTER DASH. THIS WAS A GREAT CAR TILL IT STOPPED GOING OVER 30 WITHOUT A TERRIBLE SHAKE. *TR”

“I WAS DRIVING OUR 2001 DODGE STRATUS TO PARK AT THE MOVIE THEATER , GOING ONLY 5 MPH MAYBE LESS AND I WENT TO TURN INTO THE PARKING SPOT, I HEARD A CLICK IN THE STEERING WHEEL, A POP, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL ON. EVERYTIME THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED, THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE. *TR”

“I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS NOW. FIRST IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT. THEN A YEAR LATER IT WAS THE BALL JOINT ON THE DRIVER SIDE PLUS THE CONTROL ARM. THEN IT WAS THE BRAKES AND ROTORS. THEN RIGHT AFTER THAT I FIND OUT THE BALL JOINT I HAD JUST REPLACED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN! NOW MY OIL LIGHT COMES ON AT IDLE AFTER THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP. HAD THE OIL CHANGED AS ALWAYS BETWEEN 2000 AND 3000 MILES AS I SHOULD. HAD THE OIL SENDING UNIT REPLACED AND STILL HAVE A OIL LIGHT ON WITH A FULL ENGINE OF OIL. NOW MY STEERING COLUMN JUST TODAY MADE A CRACKING SOUND AS I WAS BACKING UP WITH THE WHEEL TURNING TO THE LEFT. THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WONT GO OFF. NOW MY STEERING IS STIFF. TALKED TO A MECHANIC AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V225002 (STEERING:GEAR BOX -OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.”

“I HAVE A DODGE STRATUS SE SEDAN, 2001 MODEL.. WHILE TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING LOT THE STEERING WHEEL ALMOST LOCKED UP, THEN SOMETHING SNAPPED AND BROKE INSIDE. I REGAIN STEERING BUT MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND REMAINS ON. THE OTHER CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL SUCH AS CRUISE CONTROL AND THE HORN DO NOT WORK.. I FEEL THE CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING, THE WHEEL FREEZING UP MOMENTARILY UNTIL YOU BREAK THE RIBBON WIRE INSIDE THE CLOCKSPRING BOTH ARE SAFETY HAZARDS. THE PART THAT IS DEFECTIVE IS THE CLOCKSPRING.. IT IS AVAILABLE FROM THE DEALER ONLY AT A COST OVER $129.00.. IT IS VERY CHEAPLY MADE AND IS ESSENTIALLY A RIBBON WIRE WRAPPED AROUND A PLASTIC SPOOL. IT IS CAPABLE OF BINDING UP AND PREVENTING THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN. ONE SHOULD BE INSPECTED AND ANY ENGINEER WILL AGREE IT IS VERY POORLY DESIGNED. AS MUCH AS AIRBAG COSTS AND AS MUCH IS IT IS ENGINEERED, TO HAVE A CHEAPLY MADE PART PREVENT IT'S FUNCTIONING MAKE NO SENSE AT ALL. DODGE AND JEEP CHRYSLER IM SURE.. NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THIS PART WITH A MUCH BETTER ENGINEERED REPLACEMENT. I ALMOST CRASHED AND NOW IF I DO CRASH I HAVE NO AIRBAG AND I HAVE NO HORN TO…”