1995 Dodge Stratus

Above average

Owners filed 318 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine. It has been recalled 11 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
97,000 milesMedian miles at failure

25 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine57
100
Power Train › Automatic Transmission33
101
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline26
040
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip25
403
Air Bags › Frontal17
1409
Electrical System › Ignition10
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder9
001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components9
104
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint7
010
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner5
000

11 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm10E059000
Filed Dec 27, 201022,689 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.

Risk. IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint09E056000
Filed Oct 9, 20095,787 vehiclesQualis Automotive Llc

Defect. QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.

Risk. SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy. QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump06E091000
Filed Nov 2, 200624,358 vehiclesAirtex Products

Defect. CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULES, P/NOS. E7089M, E7094M, E7113M, AND E7129M, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.

Risk. FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX TOLL-FREE AT 1-866-867-3759.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump06E088000
Filed Oct 23, 200639,243 vehiclesTi Group Automotive Systems, Llc

Defect. CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.

Risk. FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-461-1834.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift04V021000
Filed Jan 13, 20042,315,768 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Risk. EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch98V183000
Filed Aug 6, 1998685,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage98V063000
Filed Mar 20, 199891,544 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR DOES NOT ACHIEVE THE LOADING REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."

Risk. FAILURE OF A SEAT BELT ANCHOR CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF SEAT BELT PROTECTION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SEAT BELT OUTBOARD ANCHOR FLOOR ATTACHMENTS FOR PROPER POSITIONING. IF THE ANCHOR WAS IMPROPERLY ORIENTED, THE ORIENTATION WILL BE CORRECTED.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint97V201000
Filed Nov 13, 1997599,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.

Risk. SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder96V075000
Filed May 3, 1996151,800 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.

Risk. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip96V074000
Filed May 2, 199690,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. CORROSION OF THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE THE SOLENOID VALVES TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Risk. IF EITHER FRONT WHEEL VALVE STICKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM A STRAIGHT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLATE AND SILICONE GREASE INJECTED INTO THE SOLENOID CAVITY TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.

Showing 10 of 11 campaigns, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 16, 2010ME

I HAVE 1995 DODGE STRATUS SHIFTING DOWN GOING DOWN THE ROAD!!!! AFTER REBUILD ON THE TRANNY NOT ONCE BUT TWICE CHANGE ALL THE SWITCHES I FIGURED IT OUT. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 23, 200976,000 milesPA

FUEL PUMP ,GASOLINE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 24, 200863,000 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE STRATUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE SPEED TO DECREASE. THERE WERE SEVERAL REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AND THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE SENSORS AND RELAYS WERE REPLACED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 MILES AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 31, 200888,000 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, MY CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT. WHEN I PULLED OVER, THE COOLANT WAS POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT FAILED THE "BLOCK TEST" MEANING THAT IT NEEDED A NEW HEAD GASKET. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SECOND GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. THIS IS A KNOWN FAILURE THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS PRODUCED. THE MANUFACTURE NEEDS TO COVER THE PARTS AND LABOR OF THIS REPAIR. I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL DEALER, DAYTON ANDREWS DODGE, THAT THIS PARTICULAR CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EARLIER RECALL. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 19, 20071 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS TO LIMP MODE CAUSING A HIGHLY PROBABLE DANGER SITUATION THAT MAY LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURIES ESPECIALLY IF TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY. WE HAVE REPLACED THE TCM AT $166.00FROM A DEALER AND ANOTHER DEALER SUCKED APPROX.300.00 KNOWING THAT THERE IS NO WAY OF FIXING THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. WHY ARE YOU STILL ALLOWING THE DEALERS TO REPLACE PARTS THAT THEY FULLY KNOW WON'T FIX THE MAIN PROBLEM? WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS? ON THE COMPLAINT SIDE OF YOUR WEB PAGE THERE ARE A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS! THE DEALER WANTS US TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THEM FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND I AM SURE THEY WILL RECOMMEND ANOTHER PROBLEM SOLVING IDEA TO MAKE US SPEND MORE MONEY KNOWING IT WILL NOT WORK. *TR

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections
Filed Oct 23, 2007IA

DODGE HAS RECALLED 1999-2000 STRATUS BECAUSE POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING ON BACK OF ENGINE IN 2.4 LITER CARS. FIRE HAZARD. WE HAVE A 1995 SAME MOTOR SAME PROBLEM SINCE THE CAR HASN'T BEEN RECALLED ITS NOT DODGE'S PROBLEM. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum
Filed Jul 17, 2007MN

I HAD THE REAR BRAKES FOR THE 1995 DODGE STRATUS REPLACED ON 3/01/2007 BECOUSE BRAKES WERE WORN OUT, AND HAVE SINCE THEN HAD THEM REPLACE 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. MECHANIC SHOP COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY. THEY REPLACED EVERYTHING AND BACK BRAKES WERE STILL LOCKING. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED TO DO MY MAIL ROUTE ON 8/03/2006 FROM A USED CAR DEALER, AND DID NOT KNOW OF ANY RECALLS. ALSO, THE CAR SWERVED WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES. REPLACED BRAKE LINES, BRAKE SHOES, CYLENDERS, DRUMS AND SPRINGS. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 30, 2006GA

PURCHASED VEHICLE WITH CLEAN CARFAX RECORD IN FEB 06 WITH 75K MILES. AT 81K MILES TRANSMISSION STARTED GOING INTO LIMP MODE(SLAMS INTO SECOND GEAR REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE SPEED). TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THEY STATED THE INPUT AND OUTPUT SPEED SENSORS WERE FAILING ACCORDING TO THE COMPUTER. I REPLACED THEM. A WEEK LATER THE TRANSMISSION FULLY FAILED. TOWED TO A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION CHAIN STORE. THEY FULLY REBUILT THE MECHANICALS OF TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED THE SPEED SENSORS AGAIN. AS I DROVE HOME THE TRANSMISSION RETURNED TO LIMP MODE. RETURNED TO SHOP. THEY TEST DROVE IT AND SECOND GEAR CLUTCHES BURNED UP. THEY REBUILT IT AGAIN AND ALSO REPLACED VALVE BODY AND SOLENOID PACK. I DROVE THE CAR FOR A MONTH BEFORE IT AGAIN STARTED LIMPING. TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THEY BLAMED THE SHOP AND STATED THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME BUT UPGRADE THE FLASH IN THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS COULD NOT REVEAL WHY THE COMPUTER WAS PUTTING THE CAR IN LIMP. RETURNED CAR TO PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR YET ANOTHER REBUILD. DROVE CAR 2 MONTHS BEFORE IT AGAIN STARTED LIMPING. RETURNED CAR TO TRANS SHOP, THEY REBUILT IT AGAIN. STILL COULDN'T FIND CONCRETE CAUSE, REPLACED VALVE BODY AGAIN, HAD ME BUY REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION COMPUTER FROM DODGE, THIS FIXED IT FOR ANOTHER 2 MONTHS. YESTERDAY IT AGAIN STARTED GOING INTO LIMP. THERE IS 200 MILES REMAINING IN THE 12,000 MILE REBUILD WARRANTY FROM THE FIRST REBUILD SO IT WILL BE IN THE SHOP

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and ConnectionsFire
Filed Dec 13, 2006113,642 milesCA

TOOK MY CAR TO GET THE POWER STEERING FIXED AFTER IT STOPPED WORKING. THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THE CAR'S ENGINE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE. I RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE AND HAVE SINCE HAD TO REPAIR ALL OF THE ELECTRONICS, HOSES, HOOD, AND PAINT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Oct 17, 2006170,000 milesMO

FUEL LINE QUICK COUPLER FAILED CAUSING GREAT AMOUNT OF GAS LEAKAGE AND POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 12, 2006125,000 milesCA

AUTO TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, THROWING DRIVER TOWARDS WINDSHIELD. PROBLEM BEGAN 2003. HAVE MANY, MANY SERVICE VISITS. LUBE SHOP FLUSHED SYSTEM. DEALER REPLACED TPS SWITCH, DEALER REPLACED TCM, TRANS SHOP REBUILT TRANSMISSION WITH NEW TORQUE CONVERTER AND NEW INPUT AND OUTPUT SWITCHES (WORKED ONE YEAR) THEN PROBLEM RETURNED. TRANS SHOP FLUSHED SYSTEM, TRANS SHOP REPLACED TPS (AGAIN), TRANS SHP RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE TCM (AGAIN), BUT, DEALER SAID NO PROBLEM FOUND. ANOTHER DEALER SAYS TPS BAD. WHEN I SAID IT WAS REPLACED 100 MILES EARLIER, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS EITHER WIRING SHORT, OR MAIN COMPUTER FAILURE, HAS NO WAY TO KNOW WHAT PROBLEM IS. ALSO SAID THAT IF I FIX THE "WIRING" I WOULD HAVE TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION (AGAIN), AWEN I SAID IT WAS REBUILT LAST YEAR, DEALER CHANGED HIS STORY AND SAID I DID NOT HAVE TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION. DEALER RECOMMENDS JUNKING THE CAR. MANUFACTURER IS NOT HELPING AT ALL. NOT LOOKING FOR FREE WORK, I ALREADY SPENT $3000. I JUST WANT THE PROBLEM FIXED. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR DODGE, BUT THEY WON'T FIX IT, AND THEY WON'T ADMIT TO A PROBLEMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THIS 4 SPEED. *NM

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and ConnectionsFire
Filed Aug 17, 2006125,000 milesMI

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, FLAMES ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALERTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS MODERATE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE UNDER HOOD AREA. THE POLICE WERE NOT ALERTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V001000, REGARDING THE STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Mar 2, 2006120,000 milesMD

PLASTIC FUEL FILLER NECK THAT ATTACHES TO THE METAL FLANGE THAT ATTACHES TO BODY OF CAR THAT HAS THE GAS CAP ON. THE METAL PART THAT ATTACHES TO PLASTIC NECK IS RUSTED OUT AND VENTING GAS VAPOR ALL THE TIME. CALLED THE DEALER TO BUY A REPLACEMENT PART AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS PART IS PACIFIC TO ONLY 95 AND 96 MODEL YEARS AND PART IS OUT OF PRODUCTION. DEALER ALSO SAID THERE IS NONE IN STOCK NO WHERE, AND WAS UNABLE TO GIVE ME ANY SOLUTION TO FIX THE PROBLEM THIS IS BOTH A SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD. *JB

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Jan 13, 2006OH

1995 DODGE STRATUS CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONSUMER PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER, EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SAW SMOKE. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 29, 200565,000 milesWA

DT: SINCE THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IT WOULD SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR OR NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO SEPARATE DEALERS FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THAT ULTIMATELY LED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF A SOLENOID PACK. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER NOTED THAT TRANSMISSION COMPUTER HAD TO BE FLASHED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A DODGE DEALER AND NO REPAIRS WERE DONE. THEY DID NOT OFFER AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. THE GEAR STILL MOVED WHILE IN DRIVE. THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM. *AK *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Aug 23, 2005TN

DT: WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, THEY TOLD HER THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS BROKEN. NO REPAIRS WERE DONE MADE AS OF YET. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Aug 14, 200531,000 milesNC

NUMEROUS FAILURES-SINCE I BOUGHT THIS "95 DODGE STRATUS WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES. 1) ENGINE MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE-I TOOK CAR TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP-BUCHANAN & YOUNG IN BURNSVILLE, NC AND HAD A NEW HEAD GASKET PUT ON. 2) I REPLACED THE BATTERY BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I ALSO REPLACED THE BATTERY CABLES, SO THE CAR WOULD START, BUT THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I REPLACED THE STARTER TO TRY TO GET THE CAR TO START. I STILL OFTEN HAVE TO GET OUT AND PECK ON THE STARTER WITH A SCREWDRIVER TO GET IT TO START---EVEN AFTER I HAD A NEW STARTER PUT ON. DATE: 8-10-05 3) WHEEL BROKE OFF/CAR NOT DRIVABLE-PARTS TO FIX PROBLEM & MECHANIC'S BILL 4) HAD TO REPLACE FLYWHEEL 5) HAD TO REPLACE STEERING COMPONENTS I HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $2,000 TO GET THIS CAR WITH VERY LOW MILES ON IT TO START. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 10, 2005148,000 milesAL

CAR HAS HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT THREE TIMES. FIRST TIME IT WAS REBUILT BY DEALER AT APPROXIMATELY 85000 MILES BECAUSE OF "ROUGH" SHIFTING. SECOND TIME AT 150000 MILES AT TRANSMISSION RE-BUILDER BECAUSE OF IT CONSISTENTLY GOING IN TO "LIMP" MODE. AFTER SEVERAL RETURN VISITS, THEY STILL COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I DROVE THE CAR FOR 10000 MILES BEING CAREFUL OF CONDITIONS THAT I WAS IN CASE IT SLIPPED IN TO "LIMP" MODE. I EVENTUALLY TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT SHOP TO HAVE IT RECHECKED. AFTER HAVING ALL MECHANICAL PARTS REPLACED, ALL SENSORS, AND TCM MODULE THE CAR STILL GOES IN TO "LIMP" MODE ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 30, 2005NY

I HAVE A 1995 DODGE STRATUS WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL THE VEHICLE JERKS AND SLOWS DOWN IN SPEED I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND RESTART IT, THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, I TOOK IT A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM THEY REPLACED THE SOLENOID PACK I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 9, 200510 milesIN

I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THE CAR WOULD START TO BOUNCE DOWN TO FIRST GEAR AND NOW WILL NOT COME OUT OF FIRST GEAR.I HAVE TRIED TO HAVE IT WORKED ON BUT THE TRANSMITION SHOP COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM EITHER!!!*AK

20 of 318 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1996
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20072010Routine
200674330Routine
200562620Routine
2004144710Routine
200375600Routine
2002150640Routine
20011861421Fatalities reported
20002169640High concern
19992517592Fatalities reported
19982727170Above average
19973497320High concern
199655411361Fatalities reported
1995 — this page31811130Above average
19921000Routine

Compare every Stratus year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 27, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.