A rod knock is a very serious problem. If your Dodge Stratus has a knocking rod, it’s almost always going to be caused by a failure of the rod bearing or the rod caps (leading to a spun bearing) or lack of oil. If you do have a rod knock, don’t ignore it for … Read more
Your Dodge Stratus’s torque converter is responsible for converting the energy generated by the engine at the flywheel and transferring it to the transmission, creating a bridge between the engine and the transmission. In the Dodge Stratus, a bad torque converter is often caused by bad transmission fluid, worn clutches, bad seals, or loose … Read more
If your Dodge Stratus’s battery light is on, it is trying to warn you that there is an issue with the charging system. The charging system itself is relatively simple. The battery light comes on because the voltage level at the battery is too low. Quick Facts Common Causes Faulty Battery, Bad Alternator, Battery Cables, … Read more
One of the most common problems that can happen with a vehicle over time is it’ll begin leaking power steering fluid. Without the power steering system, your Stratus would be very difficult to drive. Most of the weight of the vehicle is absorbed by the power steering system, making it feel much lighter than it really … Read more
A burning smell is one of the most troublesome problems you can experience in a vehicle. If your Dodge Stratus has a burning smell, there are many potential causes. Typically, the smell is caused by some type of fluid (oil, trans fluid, etc…) hitting the exhaust or other hot parts of the engine or … Read more
The engine burning oil is one of the most common problems that a vehicle can encounter, particularly one with high mileage. If your Dodge Stratus is burning oil it is typically caused by piston rings or valve guides. How Much Oil Consumption is Normal? Most auto manufacturers are hesitant to tell you … Read more
P0463 is a moderately common OBDII trouble code that can occur in your Dodge Stratus. It indicates that the vehicles computer has detected an inaccurate fuel level reading. It shouldn’t affect the drivability of your Stratus, but it can be inconvenient. Your Stratus will get the P0463 code when the signal coming from the … Read more
One of the more jarring vehicle problems that you can experience is a backfire. It sounds like a shotgun blast and can scare you if you’re not prepared for it. If your Dodge Stratus is backfiring, common causes include improper engine timing, bad spark plugs, engine running rich, and plug wires (if so equipped). … Read more
If you’ve recently checked your Dodge Stratus’s coolant, and it looks almost like it has butter in it, then you probably have oil in it. Oil in your coolant is most often caused by a blown head gasket. It can also be caused by a cracked head or even a bad radiator (well sorta, you’d … Read more
One of the worst problems that can happen to your Dodge Stratus is overheating. Common symptoms of overheating include smoke coming from under the hood, a pegged temperature gauge, and (eventually) a blown head gasket. If your Stratus is overheating, stop driving it immediately to avoid damaging the engine. Ignoring an overheating engine can lead … Read more