Dodge Stratus Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Own a Dodge Stratus? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Dodge Stratus — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Good | 2 | 61 | 16 | 6 | — | Suspension | Full report → |
| 2005Best | Good | 4 | 44 | 8 | 2 | — | Suspension | Full report → |
| 2004 | Good | 5 | 87 | 14 | 2 | — | Suspension | Full report → |
| 2003 | Good | 4 | 53 | 4 | 4 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2002 | Good | 3 | 104 | 13 | 7 | — | Engine And Engine Cooling | Full report → |
| 2001 | Good | 5 | 134 | 3 | 5 | — | Engine And Engine Cooling | Full report → |
| 2000 | Good | 6 | 119 | 4 | 6 | — | Steering | Full report → |
| 1999 | Caution | 4 | 183 | 17 | 8 | 2 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Full report → |
| 1998 | Caution | 4 | 162 | 15 | 12 | — | Engine And Engine Cooling | Full report → |
| 1997 | Caution | 4 | 230 | 20 | 18 | — | Engine And Engine Cooling | Full report → |
| 1996Worst | Avoid | 4 | 445 | 22 | 15 | — | Engine And Engine Cooling | Full report → |
| 1995 | Caution | 4 | 245 | 15 | 12 | — | Engine And Engine Cooling | Full report → |
12 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common Dodge Stratus Problems
Based on 1,867 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
Stratus Years to Avoid
Best Stratus Years to Buy
Not enough data to identify standout low-problem years.
Years with fewest complaints and recalls.
Dodge Stratus Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Dodge Stratus Reliability
What year Stratus has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 1996 Dodge Stratus had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 445 complaints and 4 safety recalls. See the full 1996 report for specific defects.
Is the Dodge Stratus reliable?
The Dodge Stratus has accumulated 1,867 owner-filed complaints and 49 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. There have been 2 reported deaths associated with complaints. The 2005 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Stratus.
What are the most common Stratus problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Engine And Engine Cooling (531 reports), Service Brakes / Hydraulic (201 reports), Suspension (168 reports), Steering (159 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my Stratus has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific Dodge Stratus VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free Dodge Stratus VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily