Hi, I have a 1999 Dodge Stratus I bought used1.5 years ago. It's been great so far but a month or 2 ago I noticed it was down shifting a little hard when I would brake. I took it in and they found nothing. Drove it for a couple weeks longer and the check engine light came on so I tookit in again. This time they told me that my car was basically going into transmission failure. They don't know the extent of the problem seeing as they only did a road test and scan, but they said it could cost any where from $300-$2000! I'm just a little stunned that a car with 46,000 mi that has only seen 2 winters could already be going into tranny failure. I've taken really good care of it and so did the former owners. Has anyone else had this happen? What should I do? I don't know if this would be covered under warranty although in my opinion it should. Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

A transmission failure at 46K miles seems odd although it's a '99 so I'm assuming it's driven very little. I took a quick look at the '99 Technical Service Bulletins but only found information on a "range sensor" (TSB 9913). It may be worth getting a second opinion by taking it to another mechanic. The problem and remedy is just strange enough to make you wonder.

By the way .... I just had my transmission worked on (2001 R/T) but it's a standard. The throw-out bearing was worn and I could barely get it into first gear in the morning. The car has 90K miles. Of course, by the time you pay labor to tear into a transmission you may as well replace the whole clutch assembly. I think I made it out of the shop with a bill of $1300.00.

[ul][*]TSB #0801505 -- POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE INITIALIZATION. *SC (NHTSA ID #10013731, MARCH 02 2005)[*]TSB #181299 -- THIS BULLETIN EXPLAINS THE OPERATION AND APPLICATION OF THE LEAK DETECTION PUMP (LDP) MONITOR TEST. *TT (NHTSA ID #607298, JUNE 18 1999)[*]TSB #9913 -- VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE FAULTS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS). *TT (NHTSA ID #605349, MARCH 29 1999)[/ul]

 

I took my car in and they said my torque converter is breaking down and one of the valve bodies is stuck. My car isn't under warranty anymore but has anyone ever had Chrysler cover a repair that wasn't under warranty? My car is obviously a lemon and I don't feel like I should shell out 2 grand for this repair. Should I just get rid of the car all together?

 

This may not be a popular response on this forum, but I have heard a lot of people gripe about Dodge transmissions for years. I have yet to have a problem with a tranny, but I have certainly heard of them going out that early.

 

I heard the complete opposite. When I researched this car the transmissions rated out pretty well (according to consumer reports etc. that is). So what you're saying is it's no use fixing it or....

 

Start with something simple. Change the transmission fluid and filter with a good, ATF+4 synthetic fluid. See if that helps. It would also be beneficial to this discussion if you could tell us what code they pulled from the PCM. If you don't know and the light is still on, head over to AutoZone and have them scan it for free. Report back.

 

the people that gripped about the transmission failures are probably the ones who didn't take care of them. aka not putting in the correct fluid or drop shifting it. or something. our Neon that has the Auto has 210,000 on her and never ever had a single problem with it.

 

"our Neon that has the Auto has 210,000 on her and never ever had a single problem with it. "

You better call Dodge and tell them! They may want that car back to test it and see why its lasted so long. Its not part of there plan for a car to last that long! There missing out on lots of money!!!!

 

My tranny ('02 R/T, 5sp) is making me worry and it's at 53K. I don't worry about the tranny being tight in the morning, my Mustangs did the same thing. But when I take off hard in first gear, if I shift anywhere above about 4,000 rpm, nomatter how clean I shift, it grinds into second. Every other gear is fine except first. I'm hoping it's not a big problem. The shifter itself feels a bit loose but it hasn't gotten any worse in the 4 months I've had the car and it was like that when I bought it. If anyone sees something possibly wrong, let me know. I can't afford a tranny repair right now.

By the way, I think the tranny complaint has been mostly in Dodge trucks. I have a couple friends who have Dodge trucks and almost all of them (5 out of 6) had to gettrannyreplacements on their automatics.

 

I would agree with you on the truck transmissions. I have a Dodge Quad Cab (2003) and I can't even count the number of people who have asked me if Ihave had transmission problems becuase there truck has. My truck problems have all been electrical so far - windows, oil sending unit, brake lights, etc....

Ofcourse, after saying that, I know plenty of guys with Fords who have tranny's that have gone out, clutch packs and many other problems. Just the same Chevy's with rear end problems and electrical problems.