2001 Dodge Stratus Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part. The incorrect part may not prevent the passenger side sun visor from detaching if the passenger frontal air bag deploys and the passenger side sun visor is folded down in a certain position.

Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners will be sent a second email when parts are available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.

Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Fix: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A hose manufacturing process allowed the reinforcement yard to breach the inner layer of some automatic transmission hoses weakening the inner wall which could result in leakage of the automatic transmission fluid.

Risk: Fluid leakage from the cooler hoses can cause transaxle driveability problems and smoke if the oil contacts the front exhaust pipe.

Fix: Dealers will replace the transaxle oil cooler hoses. Owner notification began april 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A number of incorrect driver side seat mounting bolts were installed into vehicles.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the bolts may not properly secure the seat and could cause increased injury to the driver of the vehicle.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the seat mounting bolts and then replace the bolts if necessary. Owner notification began february 5, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Problem: Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." some of the owner's manuals for these vehicles are missing instructions that provide a step-by-step procedure, including diagrams, for properly attaching a child restraint system's tether strap to the tether anchorage.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.

Fix: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The outer layer only of this 3-layer fuel return hose does not contain the desired ozone protection due to a processing error.

Risk: This hose is considered to be inadequate.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel return hose.

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Passenger air bags were built with suspect aluminum extrusion sections which may not retain the air bag door during an air bag deployment event.

Risk: A separated air bag door could injure a vehicle occupant.

Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bag.

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The harness for the crankshaft position sensor could come in contact with a new protective shield causing a grounded circuit.

Risk: Prolonged wiring harness contact with the heat shield will cause the wiring insulation to wear and eventually to ground out. This could cause the engine to die-out, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will re-route the crankshaft position sensor harness.

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Through degradation of the bond between the silencer pad and a sheet metal panel (quarter inner upper), the pad may fall onto the map light located in the rear seating area near the c-pillar trim panel (lh and rh). This contact could cause the pad to melt, creating a hot smell and/or smoke during long periods of illumination.

Risk: Smoke inhalation could be harmful to vehicle occupants.

Fix: Dealers will remove the insulation pad from behind both rear map lights.

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A nut in the steering gear assembly was not properly tightened, resulting in symptoms ranging from steering wheel vibration to stiff steering, and in the worst case, no ability to turn left.

Risk: A loss of steering control could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect these vehicles and replace the steering gear assembly if a loose nut connection is found.