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2002 Dodge StratusProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 150 owner complaints about the 2002 Dodge Stratus, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-401 the manufacturer reports only 1% of affected cars repaired.

2002 Dodge Stratus
61
CarFlaw IndexSolid year37% below the Stratus median · #9 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Lowest repair rate 1%Owner complaints15020 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage80kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 3, 2016. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Dodge Stratus has problems

150 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 cooling482
Suspension311
Power train211
Air bags198
Service brakes, hydraulic103
Steering93
Electrical system90
Vehicle speed control81
Structure72
11 other systems214

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2002 Dodge Stratus recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

1%repaired · 2017 Q4

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 16V-401 · Jun 3, 2016 · 16,315 vehicles · 244 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

3%repaired · 2017 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 15V-338 · Jun 2, 2015 · 443,442 vehicles · 14,923 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

80kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 38 engine and engine cooling complaints. 76% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles29under 100k miles9100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other Stratus year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Stratus median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Dodge Stratus safety ratings

2002 Dodge Stratus 4-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2002 Dodge Stratus frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2002 Dodge Stratus side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Dodge Stratus, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATEPE02082 · closed Apr 23, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What Stratus owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

ON MY WAY TO WORK ONE MORNING, THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. IT WAS TWO BLOCKS FROM THE HOUSE. I HAD 2 NEIGHBORS PUSH THE CAR BACK TO THE HOUSE. I EVENTUALLY TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS THE ENGINE. HE TOOK OUT THE PARTS TRYING TO REBUILD THE ENGINE AND…
Complaint 10430145 · Oct 13, 2011 · 82,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL FEELING. THE CONTACT INVESTIGATED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE BRACKET WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY AN…
Complaint 10407566 · Jun 20, 2011 · 112,000 miles
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE STRATUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE TEMPERATURE INCREASED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FOLLOWING DAY WHILE DRIVING AT AN…
Complaint 10378664 · Jan 25, 2011 · 177,000 miles

Own a 2002 Stratus?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.