I just bought an 06' Stratus used from a dealer. I thought that the transmission was slipping, but after four weeks of owning it I have determined that the car only acts up after you fill it up with gas, and only for the first 10 minutes or so of driving. lt sometimes dies when trying to drive it away from the pumps, and once on the highway it will start bucking like there is something wrong with the transmission. I'm pretty sure its either a fuel system problem (pressure by filling up the tank, fuel pump or filter, etc....) or an electronics problem (like the main computer unit is trying to adjust for the fuel but has a glitch in it).

Has anyone else had this happen and if so what was the outcome?

 

I have the same exact problem. My car does that bucking/jerking as if it wants to shut off when I'm stopped at a light and even does it sometimes when I'm driving. I've asked several times and the dealer never tells me anything. Can someone please get us some help as to what this could be.

2003 Stratus SE 2.4ltr 4cyl

 

I spoke to a friend last night who is a pretty good shade tree mechanic and he wanted me to try and just unscrew the gas cap, leave it off for a couple minutes and then put it back on. If the car acts up after that, it is most certainly a fuel tank pressure problem where the fuel pump is not getting any air, or getting air in the fuel line. Either way, I have something more to go to the dealer with.

Would you try it also and see if anything happens and let me know.

 

Ok I'll tryit

 

I noticed something on my Stratus today. There is no flap inside of the hole you put the pump nozzle. Its just an open hole. My Dodge truck has a flap as well as every other car I have seen. Could this be the cause of the problem?

Can you check to see if yours has a flap?

 

I have or had the same problem.
It maybe possible the gas cap is not sealed right. I filled the car and did not top it off. I turned the cap 2 clicks. Seems to have solved the problem. Hopefully..

 

I spoke to someone who had a Chevy with this problem and the dealers answer was don't fill the tank all the way up. Say what? I buy a new car and can't fill the tank up?

What is strange is that I have had my Dodge truck for 3 1/2 years, owned three Jeeps/Dodges before that and never had this problem. Never had to think about how I filled it up, or putting the cap on a certain way.

I should fill up again on Monday and will try to not top it off and add a couple more turns to the cap and see what happens. Maybe this car is just not vented well or something. I'll post on Monday/Tuesday and let you know what happened.

 

Just filled the car back up, did not top it off and gave the cap a couple extra twist's. Still started bucking a little ways down the road. Gotta wait until the 13th of December to get it in the shop now. I can't take off work right now and that's my week off.