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Dodge StratusYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 2,653 NHTSA owner complaints across 13 model years, no Dodge Stratus year stands out as one to avoid, and the strongest years are 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006. The Stratus has 27 safety recalls on record.

Dodge Stratus
Years to avoidNoneUse caution: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999Best years'02 '03 '05 '06Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints2,653Top: Engine and engine coolingSafety recalls271995–2007 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.

Best & worst years

Dodge Stratus years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Stratus median. Tap a year for its full report.

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2007Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls2006Best69/10074 complaints · 0 recalls2005Best73/10062 complaints · 3 recalls2004Solid60/100144 complaints · 3 recalls2003Best75/10075 complaints · 2 recalls2002Solid61/100150 complaints · 2 recalls2001Solid58/100186 complaints · 10 recalls2000Solid43/100216 complaints · 5 recalls1999Caution41/100251 complaints · 3 recalls1998Solid44/100272 complaints · 3 recalls1997Caution37/100349 complaints · 4 recalls1996Caution29/100554 complaints · 7 recalls1995Caution41/100318 complaints · 7 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Dodge Stratus problems

All model years combined: 2,653 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling95867
Service brakes, hydraulic30551
Steering29793
Power train29626
Suspension27911
Electrical system25181
Air bags193131
Vehicle speed control10824
Fuel system, gasoline8412
20 other systems52169
27 recalls

Dodge Stratus recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

1%Passenger side: inflator module16V-401 · 2001–2002 · Jun 3, 2016 · 16,315 vehicles3%Passenger side: inflator module15V-338 · 2001–2005 · Jun 2, 2015 · 443,442 vehicles–Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections06V-001 · 1999–2000 · Jan 5, 2006 · 216,299 vehicles–Spindle: arm04V-579 · 2005 · Dec 9, 2004 · 26,354 vehicles–Seat belts: rear/other04V-532 · 2005 · Nov 2, 2004 · 8,000 vehicles–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings04V-313 · 2004 · Jun 29, 2004 · 8,108 vehicles–Lever and linkage: floor shift04V-021 · 1995–1999 · Jan 13, 2004 · 2,315,768 vehicles–Delivery: fuel pump03V-443 · 2003–2004 · Nov 4, 2003 · 5,911 vehicles–Automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines01V-011 · 2001 · Jan 16, 2001 · 28,439 vehicles–Seats01V-005 · 2001 · Jan 8, 2001 · 20 vehicles–Child seat00V-366 · 2000–2001 · Nov 9, 2000 · 1,211,756 vehicles–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings00V-320 · 2001 · Oct 27, 2000 · 3,480 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 27 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

8 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Stratus

  1. POWER STEERING FLUID FIRESEA05019 · 1999–2000 · closed Jan 12, 2006
    No recall
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE05036 · 1999–2000 · closed Nov 7, 2005
    Led to recall 06V-001
  3. AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKEA03011 · 1995–1999 · closed Jan 30, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-021
  4. STEERING COLUMN SEPARATIONDP03002 · 1995 · closed Jul 22, 2003
    No recall
  5. AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKRQ03005 · 1999 · closed Jul 16, 2003
    No recall
  6. SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATEPE02082 · 1995–2003 · closed Apr 23, 2003
    No recall
  7. LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILUREEA97016 · 1995–1997 · closed Nov 20, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-201
  8. LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILUREPE97009 · 1995 · closed Sep 29, 1997
    No recall