Is the Dodge Stratus Reliable?

Q: Is the Dodge Stratus reliable?

The Dodge Stratus scores 45/100 on the VinCheckEngine reliability index, which rates as "Fair" for the 1995–2006 model years. Run a free VIN report at vincheckengine.com for vehicle-specific analysis.

Q: What year Stratus is most reliable?

Among recently analyzed years, the 2006 Dodge Stratus scored highest with a reliability score of 57/100. Fewer recalls and complaints were reported for that model year.

Q: How many miles does a Stratus last?

With regular maintenance, most Dodge Stratus owners report 150,000–200,000+ miles of reliable service. High-mileage examples frequently appear at auction. Always verify with a VIN history report before purchasing a used Stratus.

1995–2006 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.

45/100

Fair

Reliability Score

Total Recalls

1177

Owner Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Own a Dodge Stratus? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.

Dodge Stratus Reliability by Year

Model Year	Recalls	Complaints	Injuries	Deaths	Reliability Score	Rating
2006	2	61	6	—	57	Fair
2005	4	44	2	—	49	Fair
2004	5	87	2	—	44	Poor
2003	4	53	4	—	48	Fair
2002	3	104	7	—	52	Fair
2001	5	134	5	—	43	Poor
2000	6	119	6	—	37	Poor
1999	4	183	8	2	30	Poor
1998	4	162	12	—	44	Poor
1997	4	230	18	—	41	Poor

Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.

How the Stratus Compares to Similar Vehicles

Dodge Stratus45/100

Sedan Category Average72/100

The Stratus scores 27 points below the average sedan. Consider checking years with lower complaint volumes.

Known Dodge Stratus Reliability Issues

The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

144

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SUSPENSION

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Based on 1177 owner complaints across recent model years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Dodge Stratus reliable?+

The Dodge Stratus scores 45/100 on our reliability index — rated "Fair." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 41 recall campaigns and 1177 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.

What year Stratus is most reliable?+

Among the years analyzed, the 2006 Stratus achieved the highest reliability score of 57/100 with 2 recalls and 61 complaints.

How many miles does a Stratus last?+

With consistent maintenance, most Dodge Stratus owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used Stratus will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.

More Dodge Stratus Research

Common Problems

Detailed breakdown of every reported defect for the Dodge Stratus.

Years to Avoid

Which Stratus years have the most problems — and which are the best buys.

Check a Specific Dodge Stratus VIN

Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.

Run a Free VIN Report →